Jelly is very serious. He will not accept any silly faces or silly sounds and absolutely NO laughing. But wait, what happens when Jelly wears a mustache and silly stripy socks? Hilarity ensues. Share this book with those who like to giggle.

On the days when I’m not working at Parnassus, I’m at home waiting for my person to come back! Just like Murphy, I know how to pass my time in all sorts of interesting ways…

Social gatherings can be scary––even ghosts agree! What if you don’t know anyone at the party? What if you run out of fun facts to share? What if you have a poppy seed in your teeth? Help our invisible friend, Ghost, overcome their nerves and have a hauntingly fun night. Written by the creators of Everything Everywhere All at Once (Kwan) and Summer Camp Island (Pott)!

Whenever general conversations are made about American music, especially Country music, there’s little to no acknowledgement about the Black musical pioneers. Color Me Country looks to change that. From Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Our Native Daughters, Color Me Country is a celebration to Black women in Country and Americana Music. Also, Parnassus’ own bookseller, Kahwit Tela, wrote a profile in the book!

The thing about pie is…the work it takes to make it and the smell you smell while baking it. But the best thing about pie is the secret mission to share your pie with a special person. You’ll be wanting pie by the end of this sweet story.

Beloved Gideon Sterer is back with The Wishing Well! Our narrator, a monster trapped at the bottom of a well, is tasked with counting wishes. His life among the coins may be shiny, but he yearns for greater riches: freedom, nature, love, and connection. This modern fable reminds us to not take Earth and each other for granted.

This is the true story of three sun bears who were rescued, rehabilitated and returned to the wild. I loved how the community worked together to save the bears. This book is for anyone who loves animals.

Daisy has a family that encourages recycling and reuse. She creatively uses her own ideas such as icing a cake with broccoli. Disaster. When she upcycles an important dress on her own, her surprise is not a happy one. She learns to ask first so that she can truly help.

So, you want to be a wizard? Well, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide should fit in the pocket of your cloak. Wait, your cloak doesn’t have pockets? Oh… okay. No matter. Just grab a stick (not too pokey), some emergency cheese, and listen up! Wizard rules aren’t hard to master––just wonder, try, lean into the magic of maybe… and if you turn the moon into pie, be ready to share!

Also loved by Jenness!

When Ben moves into his grandmother’s home she has two rules, don’t touch the clocks and don’t go to the third floor. Sounds upstairs make the rules impossible to keep in this heartfelt speculative mystery. Also in paperback!

What does it mean when a kid is absent? Are they lazy? Just cutting school? Uniquely told from their perspectives, we hear from Manny the poet, Calvin the artist, and Liam the journaler about what keeps them from getting to class. And it’s not always what you expect. The 3 boys form a bond in detention that helps them to battle bullies, parents, and all things life.

Did you know that a dragonfly the size of a hawk flew around the sky millions of years before the dinosaurs? This book is about the weird and wonderful animals from the Permian period 299-252 million years ago. Gavin Scott’s illustrations give these creatures so much life and personality. My favorite is the chonky cotylorhynchus. What’s yours?

When the kingdom needs saving, who better to come to the rescue than a granny who knits? Taking on spiders, other foes, and a sidekick who’s as much a liability as a help, Josephine sets out to save the kingdom!

A boring trip turns into a summer full of ESPIONAGE when Jamie and her brother, Ben, are left at Grandma’s house––a retired spy whose cover is blown in a database hacking! When Grandma is reunited with a criminal and forced to act fast, Jamie must withstand the pressure of spy training. Can this estranged family band together to save Ben? I read this book faster than you can say 007!

A little known war was fought in Japanese occupied Alaska during WWII. Alaska was not even a state yet. The story is based on research done on her father’s experience as an Army medic and the diary left by the Japanese doctor stationed there. It is well documented with photos. It is realistic and brutal.

Being 13 and going into 8th grade is hard enough, but a serious illness makes things even more complicated. When Violet, Wyatt, and Noor meet at a hospital picnic, the unlikely trio initially resists making connections. But when they hatch a plan to dupe a wish organization into granting them each a wish that includes the other two, the roots of friendship take hold. Older kids will enjoy this humorous and tender story.

Shea Fury is one of the best chess players in the world, so when she gets invited to the once-per-century chess tournament held by the fae King, she is determined to win. There is an imposter hiding at the tournament though, and Shea must team up with Ciara, the fae princess, to unmask the plots of their adversaries, and maybe fall in love in the process…

Rory has had enough of losing to his aloof academic rival (and star hockey player), Luca. But after Rory loses his temper and chucks a smoothie at Luca, ruining his public image, the two are sent to a secluded summer camp reserved for gifted high schoolers– where Rory might just get the chance to finally defeat Luca. His strategy? Make Luca fall in love with him, and break his heart, of course!

I’ve been waiting years for this sequel! Bridget and Gabe Are Not Okay returns to the world and characters of Gwen and Art Are Not in Love. This time, Bridget and Gabe get to be the main characters, and like the title says, they are NOT okay. Croucher brings just as much heart and authenticity to this sequel as the original. I could read about these characters forever!

“Without knowledge that life can be different, there can be no desire to change it.” A favorite from my childhood, The Unwanteds follows Alex, a creative 13-year-old boy who is sent to his death as part of a yearly ritual. But behind the veil, Alex and his friends discover that the “death farm” is hiding Artime, a place where they learn to cultivate magic. A dystopian spin for fans of Harry Potter!

Also loved by Naomi & Rachel R.!

Two friends need help finding someone dear to each of them who is lost. When they find out about the Witching Wind, they’re sure it’s responsible. They set out on an impossible mission that’s only possible with friends in this magical story. Now out in paperback!

Sprout Book Club: September Selection

The September 2026 Sprout Book Club selection is I Am Murphy and I Am Waiting by Dan Yaccarino. Murphy is a French bulldog waiting for the big yellow bus to return his boy home at the end of the day. While he waits, he gets up to lots of mischief until they reunite in this delightful picture book.

Early praise for the book:

“A hilarious, heart-tugging dog’s-eye view of life.” – Kirkus, starred review

Sprout Book Club is the book subscription box for picture book lovers. Every month members will receive a first edition picture book. Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite picture book lover for 3, 6, or 12 months. 

Spark Book Club: September Selection

The September 2026 Spark Book Club selection is The Magic Library of Waterfall Way by Julie Abe. Lyra Hunt is an orphan labeled Unremarkable in a magical land. She must complete a quest and enter a Guild or she will be banished to the Mists forever. She stumbles upon a village full of book lovers who need help rebuilding their library and recovering their magic. This is a fun-filled cozy middle grade fantasy about an unremarkable girl with a remarkable destiny.

Early Sparks for the novel:

“Whimsical worldbuilding and an endearing protagonist distinguish a winning adventure that celebrates curiosity and personal exploration.” – Publisher’s Weekly

Spark Book Club is the first editions club for middle grade readers. Every month members will receive a first edition middle grade novel — plus a letter written by the author especially for club members. Makes a great gift for the independent reader! Sign ups are available for 3, 6, or 12 months.

ParnassusNext: September Selection

The September 2026  ParnassusNext selection is Foreigners by E. L. Shen. A class assignment uncovers a big family secret. A young woman travels from Taiwan to NYC in 1965 to attend an American high school. She’s thrown into a whirlwind of parties and relationships that hurtle toward a shocking decision. 

Two generations later in present day, Dawn’s family doesn’t talk about their past. A school assignment forces her to talk to her quiet grandmother about her high school experience. Two timelines intertwine to create a fascinating family story.

Early praise for the novel:

“An immersive, movingly crafted multigenerational family story.” – Kirkus, starred review

ParnassusNext is the book subscription box for YA lovers. Every member of ParnassusNext receives a first edition hardcover of each month’s selected book, signed by the author. There is no membership fee to join — and no line to stand in for the autograph. Not only will you have one of the best YA books of the month when it comes out, you’ll have it straight from the author’s hands, with an original, authentic signature! Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite YA reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.