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Sprout
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Expected 24 Mar 26Sprout 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 isn't what you would call a typical middle schooler (though who is typical in middle school?). But Sprout is unusual not because she rarely leaves the house (though she doesn't), nor because she is abnormally tall (though she is), nor even because her name is Sprout and her mother works as a florist (actually that one is less unusual and more entirely her mom's fault). Instead, Sprout is unique because of the tree-like antlers that bloom from her head, her plantlers if you will.
Sprout had gotten used to living in relative isolation...until she hears another girl has been spotted with wild antlers. Another girl who looks like her. Determined to see if there is someone else who understands the strangeness she feels, Sprout sets out. Along the way, she attracts the attention of EB, a boy whose unusual memory and sudden blackouts means he knows what it is to feel different, and a strange pair of twins who seem intent on tracking their every move.
A fast-paced, quick-witted, and marvelously fantastical adventure about learning to embrace who you are—thorns and all.
Sprout isn't what you would call a typical middle schooler (though who is typical in middle school?). But Sprout is unusual not because she rarely leaves the house (though she doesn't), nor because she is abnormally tall (though she is), nor even because her name is Sprout and her mother works as a florist (actually that one is less unusual and more entirely her mom's fault). Instead, Sprout is unique because of the tree-like antlers that bloom from her head, her plantlers if you will.
Sprout had gotten used to living in relative isolation...until she hears another girl has been spotted with wild antlers. Another girl who looks like her. Determined to see if there is someone else who understands the strangeness she feels, Sprout sets out. Along the way, she attracts the attention of EB, a boy whose unusual memory and sudden blackouts means he knows what it is to feel different, and a strange pair of twins who seem intent on tracking their every move.
A fast-paced, quick-witted, and marvelously fantastical adventure about learning to embrace who you are—thorns and all.
- GenresMiddle GradeFantasy
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 24, 2026
47 people want to read
About the author
Taylor Tyng
3 books27 followersTaylor Tyng is an American author of fantastical fiction for young readers. His first novel, CLARA POOLE AND THE LONG WAY ROUND (Pixel+Ink), 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 published in July 2024. Taylor is currently working on SPROUT (Random House Children's Books, 2026), a middle grade contemporary fantasy about a girl searching for the truth behind her strange abnormality.
Taylor Tyng got to writing late. After spending his early years performing in LA rock clubs, Taylor created a design agency and a software company for the advertising and entertainment industries, surrounding himself with the art of storytelling. He's created designs that have traveled to space, written songs for film, played bit roles in bad movies, and occasionally does dumb things like rocketing down bobsled tracks or snorkeling in Iceland during winter. As a lifelong dyslexic, Taylor never imagined becoming an author was on the list, which only proves how random and remarkable life's journey can be.
Taylor lives in a 1700s farmhouse outside Boston with his wife, two daughters, and a very busy miniature Australian Shepherd.
Visit Taylor at www.taylortyng.com or on Twitter and Instagram @taylortyng.
Taylor Tyng got to writing late. After spending his early years performing in LA rock clubs, Taylor created a design agency and a software company for the advertising and entertainment industries, surrounding himself with the art of storytelling. He's created designs that have traveled to space, written songs for film, played bit roles in bad movies, and occasionally does dumb things like rocketing down bobsled tracks or snorkeling in Iceland during winter. As a lifelong dyslexic, Taylor never imagined becoming an author was on the list, which only proves how random and remarkable life's journey can be.
Taylor lives in a 1700s farmhouse outside Boston with his wife, two daughters, and a very busy miniature Australian Shepherd.
Visit Taylor at www.taylortyng.com or on Twitter and Instagram @taylortyng.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
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 a great middle grade read. I loved it myself (I'm 48!), but I read and enjoyed reading it with my son (aged 11) - he also loved it but is too lazy to write reviews! Combining a strong female protagonist (a.k.a Sprout), a winsome male side kick (EB), a nefarious billionare and morally dubious doctor, the plot (no spoilers) sees Sprout and EB find each other, friendship and the path to embracing who they are. The storyline offers twists and turns, but for me, it is really the characters that stayed with me. E.B with his mop of red hair and Sprout with her . . . I'll let you find out. Ting is a great writer. The Clara Poole books are now on my Christmas list!
December 28, 2025
Thank you RHCBInfluencers at Random House Kids @randomhousekids #RandomHouseKidsPartner and Taylor Tyng @TaylorTyng for this free book!
“Sprout” by Taylor Tyng⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy. Location: A Massachusetts, USA mill town. NOTE: DEI Inclusive.
Sprout (13) isn’t a typical middle schooler. She feels isolated and friendless, rarely leaves her house, and is extremely tall. But what makes Sprout unique because she has tree-like antlers that bloom from her head (her “plantlers”). Sprout hides her antlers by keeping them trimmed and wearing a hat-but when her emotions take over, they bloom. When she hears rumors of another girl like her, she risks her safety and ventures out to Ichabod Wood, uncovering her town's hidden past, and attracting attention from a curious doctor, terrifying twins, and a boy named E.B with an unusual memory and sudden blackouts.
Author Tyng has written a quirky adventure about a girl who dares to leave her safe haven to find others like her. His book’s themes include embracing who you are, finding your place, and secrets hidden in plain sight. Tyng’s twisty mystery was inspired by a drawing from his daughter. It’s fast-paced, clever, charmingly fantastical, and it’s ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️stars from me 📚👩🏼🦳 #sprout #DEI #taylortyng #RandomHouseBooksForYoungReaders
“Sprout” by Taylor Tyng⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy. Location: A Massachusetts, USA mill town. NOTE: DEI Inclusive.
Sprout (13) isn’t a typical middle schooler. She feels isolated and friendless, rarely leaves her house, and is extremely tall. But what makes Sprout unique because she has tree-like antlers that bloom from her head (her “plantlers”). Sprout hides her antlers by keeping them trimmed and wearing a hat-but when her emotions take over, they bloom. When she hears rumors of another girl like her, she risks her safety and ventures out to Ichabod Wood, uncovering her town's hidden past, and attracting attention from a curious doctor, terrifying twins, and a boy named E.B with an unusual memory and sudden blackouts.
Author Tyng has written a quirky adventure about a girl who dares to leave her safe haven to find others like her. His book’s themes include embracing who you are, finding your place, and secrets hidden in plain sight. Tyng’s twisty mystery was inspired by a drawing from his daughter. It’s fast-paced, clever, charmingly fantastical, and it’s ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️stars from me 📚👩🏼🦳 #sprout #DEI #taylortyng #RandomHouseBooksForYoungReaders
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews