Sprout, Taylor Tyng
Sprout, Taylor Tyng
List: $20.00 | Sale: $14.00
Club: $10.00

Sprout

Author: Taylor Tyng

Narrator: Sara Matsui-Colby

Unabridged: 7 hr 26 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/24/2026


Synopsis

Sprout has always hidden from the world—having antlers growing out of your head will do that. But when she hears that someone else like her might exist, she's willing to risk her safety—and that of her town—to get to the truth. A fantastical middle grade adventure that is sure to grow on you.

"Sprout is inventive, wonderfully peculiar, and full of heart and wonder. Readers will love it." –Erin Entrada Kelly, Two-time Newbery Medalist & National Book Award Finalist

Sprout has gotten used to hiding. Having antlers growing out of your head will do that. But when she learns that another girl with wild antlers has been spotted, Sprout is determined to see if there is someone else out there who understands the strangeness she feels.

Soon she attracts the attention of E.B., a fellow oddball, who remembers everything he has ever seen, read, or heard. And he's not the only one fascinated by Sprout. A curious doctor and a set of terrifying twins are tracking Sprout's every move. But nothing could have prepared Sprout for the dark secrets that have taken root in her town. Digging up the truth might help Sprout understand her past--or it might spell the end of her town forever.

Acclaimed author Taylor Tyng delivers a fast-paced and marvelously fantastical adventure about learning to embrace who you are--thorns and all.

About The Author

Taylor Tyng is an American author of fantastical fiction for young readers. His first novel, Clara Poole and the Long Way Round, was called "an engrossing and inventive flight through the skies" by Kirkus Reviews and a "soaring debut with echoes of Jules Verne and Roald Dahl" by Booklist. Its follow-up, Clara Poole and the Wrong Way Up was praised, "as winsome as ever," by Kirkus Reviews. The idea for Sprout came from a drawing by Taylor's daughter who sowed the seeds of this tale.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Hazel on November 26, 2025

I've been lucky enough to have an advanced copy of 'Sprout' passed to me, and I have to say that I loved this book. I read a lot of middle grade fiction (I'm a teacher, parent, and children's fiction fan) and Taylor Ting writes beautifully. For me, this book has all of the ingredients that make for......more

Goodreads review by YSBR on May 11, 2026

Sprout is an excellent addition to the middle grade fantasy genre. We meet Sprout, a 13-year-old with the unusual ability to grow blooming tree branches from her head like antlers. Her antlers first appeared when she was five, and since then she’s lived a quiet, carefully controlled life with her mo......more

Goodreads review by Bethany on March 30, 2026

4.5/5 Thank you @randomhousekids #partner for the gifted copy of this book! Okay but HOW CUTE is this concept?! 🌱💚 Sprout absolutely stole my heart!! This is such a unique and charming middle grade story about a girl who literally grows plantlers 🌿 out of her head. She has to navigate standing out whe......more

Goodreads review by Melissa on April 30, 2026

I have read all three of Tyng's books (so far!), and while it is hard to pick a favorite, Sprout is one I will read a gain and again: the characters are well developed, the plot is engaging, and the resolution is satisfying. I particularly appreciate the measured tension as the mystery unfolds—not s......more

Goodreads review by Erica on March 23, 2026

Cute and Quirky Characters and World Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review of the book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars I love a good middle grade read, and Sprout did not disappoint! Between Sprout as our protagonist and EB as the perfect......more


Quotes

"Sprout’s sparkling first-person POV—brimming with sassy confidence and snarky humor—relays this funny and heartwarming adventure by Tyng, which straddles the line between cozy fantasy and fast-paced thriller." —Publishers Weekly

"This twisty mystery story brims with whimsy and charm....A quirky adventure that’s sprouting with self-discovery." —Kirkus Reviews

"Tyng excels in providing the right amount of details to create immersive scenes....while illustrating its commentary on gentrification, corruption, and environmentalism. Tyng’s latest is an original story harkening back to the weird but adventurous movies of the ’80s that cast an outsider in the leading role." —Booklist

"The snappy narration, quick pace, and seamless blend of mystery, sci-fi, and action make this a perfect choice for readers looking for a thrilling genre mash-up." —The Bulletin

"Sprout’s sharp narrative voice (complete with witty sarcasm and banter) and the novel’s cast of quirky characters make joining her for the ride enjoyable." —The Horn Book

"Slightly spooky and wholly inventive, this fantastical mystery will appeal to readers who love outsider protagonists and small-town secrets." —School Library Journal