Open Books Challenge 2026: Purple Cover or Purple in the Title or Subject

The Open Books Reading Challenge is a year-long reading challenge for people interested in pushing the boundaries of their reading. For full details of the program, please check-out our page at: https://www.rplmn.org/books-more/discover-more/open-books-reading-challenge

These are some ideas that fit the 2026 category "Purple cover or purple in the title or subject, to mark the 10th anniversary of Prince's death."

Happy Reading!

Updated December 31, 2025
Rochester Public Library RPL Staff
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Open Books Challenge 2026: Purple Cover or Purple in the Title or Subject

The Open Books Reading Challenge is a year-long reading challenge for people interested in pushing the boundaries of their reading. For full details of the program, please check-out our page at: https://www.rplmn.org/books-more/discover-more/open-books-reading-challenge

These are some ideas that fit the 2026 category "Purple cover or purple in the title or subject, to mark the 10th anniversary of Prince's death."

Happy Reading!

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Purple hibiscus : a novel
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi
Paper Book
"One of the most vital and original novelists of her generation." --Larissa MacFarquhar, The New Yorker From the bestselling author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists Fifteen-year-old Kambili and her older brother Jaja lead a...
The only purple house in town
Aguirre, Ann
Paper Book
Welcome to the coziest house on the block--where misfits become family, magic lingers in the walls, and healing comes in the most unexpected forms. Iris Collins doesn't believe in plans. As a self-declared chaos bunny with a track record of unfinished dreams, she's never been the reliable...
The singular life of Aria Patel
Ahmed, Samira (Fiction writer)
Paper Book
For fans of You've Reached Sam and See You Yesterday, this captivating and mind-bending second-chance romance explores what it means to love--even across the multiverse. Aria Patel likes stability, certainty, predictability. It's why she's so...
One step forward
Atkins, Marcie Flinchum
Paper Book
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection! One Step Forward is a compelling debut YA historical fiction novel in verse about Matilda Young--the youngest American suffragist imprisoned for picketing the White House to demand women's right to vote. Raised in a...
Writing in color : fourteen writers on the lessons we've learned
Azad, Nafiza
Paper Book
Rethink the way you approach writing in this "honest, useful craft book that all fledgling writers need" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) from fourteen diverse authors that demystifies craft and authorship based on their experiences as writers of color--perfect for fans of Fresh Ink...
Displeasure island
Bell, Alice (Gaming website editor)
Paper Book
In the hilarious follow-up to Grave Expectations, Claire and the gang are back, getting their timbers shivered by a mystery involving feuding ghost pirates, buried treasure, and murder... Claire Hendricks can see ghosts, but she can't see herself having a fun vacation. Yet...
The world needs more purple people
Bell, Kristen
Paper Book
#1 New York Times bestseller! Actress, producer, and parent Kristen Bell (The Good Place, Veronica Mars, Frozen) and creative director and parent Benjamin Hart have a new challenge for you and your kids- become a purple person by embracing what makes YOU special while...
Perkin's perfect purple : how a boy created color with chemistry
Brown, Tami Lewis
Paper Book
The fascinating true story of groundbreaking chemist William Perkin, who used the scientific method to invent a new way for creating the color purple. Many years ago, the color purple was available only to a privileged few. Making purple was tricky. The dye...
The purple one : a story of Prince
Burgess, Matthew
Paper Book
From award-winning author Matthew Burgess and debut illustrator Sirin Thada, a picture book biography of music icon Prince, from childhood to superstardom, that crackles with electricity and soul Prince is remembered as one of the greatest musicians and performers of all time....
Purple cane road
Burke, James Lee
Paper Book
Dave Robicheaux has spent his life confronting the age-old adage that the sins of the father pass onto the son. But what has his mother's legacy left him? Dead to him since youth, Mae Guillory has been shuttered away in the deep recesses of Dave's mind. He's lived with the fact that he would never...
Wish upon a K-star
Cho, Kat
Paper Book
A spin-off to the New York Times best-selling Once Upon a K-Prom, a K-pop idol and an up-and-coming K-drama star must fake date in this fresh and funny romcom that Korean pop culture fans will absolutely swoon over! Moon Minseok-or Moonster as this WDB fans know him...
Recommended reading
Coccia, Paul
Paper Book
'Recommended Reading is swoon-worthy in every possible way! Bobby's story is a sheer delight and an ode to book lovers everywhere who believe that the magic of stories reaches beyond the page.' Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author. In this opposites-attract YA rom-com inspired by Emma,...
Sunrise on the reaping
Collins, Suzanne
Paper Book
The unforgettable fifth book in the Hunger Games series: Haymitch's story. Feature film scheduled for November 2026. #1 USA Today Bestseller * #1 New York Times Bestseller * #1 Indie Bestseller * #1 Publishers Weekly Bestseller * A New York Times Editors'...
Nightshade
Connelly, Michael
Paper Book
AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Introducing Detective Stilwell: a cop relentlessly following his mission in the seemingly idyllic setting of Catalina Island.   Los Angeles County Sheriff's Detective Stilwell...
The one hundred years of Lenni and Margot : a novel
Cronin, Marianne
Paper Book
"A beautiful debut, funny, tender, and animated by a willingness to confront life's obstacles and find a way to survive. . . . It celebrates friendship, finds meaning in difficulty and lets the reader explore dark places while always allowing for the possibility of light. Lenni and Margot are...
Happy Father's Day from the Crayons
Daywalt, Drew
Paper Book
For this wonderful mini hardcover celebration of Father's Day, the hilarious Crayons from the #1 New York Times bestselling The Day the Crayons Quit love their dads--and father figures in their lives--so much, they wrote a book about it! Red Crayon loves his dad...
Bert, the bowerbird : the small bird with a big heart
Donaldson, Julia
Paper Book
From the author of The Gruffalo comes the enchanting tale of a lovable bird seeking connection. Bert the bowerbird is looking for love. He has made the most perfect bower, complete with a pretty purple flower, and he is hoping it will help him meet the bird...
The Smeds and the Smoos
Donaldson, Julia
Paper Book
An out-of-this-world story of friendship from the creators of Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo.The Smeds (who are red) never mix with the Smoos (who are blue), so when Janet and Bill, a young Smed and Smoo, fall in love, their families strongly disapprove. But love conquers...
Run like a girl
Egbe, Amaka
Paper Book
Dera Edwards knows her life is over when she's shipped off to live with her estranged father in the middle of White Suburbia. To make matters worse, Dera learns that her new school doesn't have a girls' track team, shattering her dreams of getting a track scholarship and, one day, competing in the...
Every duke has his day
Enoch, Suzanne
Paper Book
Brain meets Beauty in this sparkling, fresh take on the classic Bringing Up Baby - if Jane Austen had written it! A romantic comedy with a dash of chaos featuring the most ill-behaved poodle in Regency London, by New York Times bestseller Suzanne Enoch. Michael...
The beautiful maddening
Ernshaw, Shea
Paper Book
"" helvetica="">For the first printing only! This hardcover features a white cloth case with gold foil embellishments while the special edition supply lasts. From #1 New York Times bestselling author Shea Ernshaw comes an "electric romance that weaves...
Etta Invincible
Eschmann, Reese
Paper Book
In this touching debut middle grade novel, a girl with hearing loss and a boy adjusting to life in a new country connect through their love of comics and get entangled in their own fantastical adventure. Twelve-year-old Etta Johnson has Loud Days where she can hear just fine and...
Prunella
Ferry, Beth
Paper Book
Five starred reviews! From New York Times bestselling author Beth Ferry comes a fantastical and unforgettable picture book about an unusual girl whose purple thumb helps her cultivate a truly macabre garden. When Prunella is born with a purple thumb...
Votes of confidence : a young person's guide to American elections
Fleischer, Jeff
Paper Book
Every two years, media coverage of American elections turns into a horse-race story about who's leading the polls and who said what when. Give young adult readers clear explanations about how our election process actually works, why it matters, and how they can become involved. Using real...
Samantha Spinner and the perplexing pants
Ginns, Russell
Paper Book
Take another super-big globe-trotting, plaid pants spotting adventure with Samantha Spinner and her brother, Nipper, in the fourth book in this hilarious, puzzle-packed series! Perfect for fans of Mr. Lemoncello's Library and the Secret series, and classics like Holes and The...
Riders of the purple sage
Grey, Zane
Paper Book
In 1870s Utah, a beautiful young rancher becomes the object of desire for a local polygamist eager to make her one of his many wives. Jane Withersteen lives amongst a strict Mormon community in Utah. Despite the conservative nature of her peers, she is an independent rancher who lives...
Fly like a girl : one woman's dramatic fight in Afghanistan and on the home front
Hegar, Mary Jennings
Paper Book
A Young Readers Edition of a compelling story of courage and triumph, this is the inspiring true story of Major Mary Jennings Hegar--a brave and determined woman who gave her all for her country, her sense of justice, and for women everywhere. On July 29, 2009, Air National Guard...
Act your age, Eve Brown
Hibbert, Talia
Paper Book
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER In Talia Hibbert's newest rom-com, the flightiest Brown sister crashes into the life of an uptight B&B owner and has him falling hard--literally. Featured on Parade, PopSugar, Marie Claire, Oprah Mag, Bustle, Shondaland, CNN.com,...
King of pride
Huang, Ana
Paper Book
A diverse and steamy, forbidden billionaire romance from New York Times bestselling author and BookTok sensation Ana Huang! She's his opposite in every way...and the greatest temptation he's ever known. Reserved, controlled, and proper to a fault, Kai Young has neither the time nor...
The purple swamp hen and other stories
Lively, Penelope
Paper Book
A glimmering collection of new short fiction from the Booker Prize winner. "Lively writes with an astringent blend of sympathy and detachment, emotional wisdom and satiric wit." --Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times In such acclaimed novels as The...
Major monster mess
Miedoso, Andres
Paper Book
It's Desmond and Andres versus creepy monster lunch ladies in the sixth book of the Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol series! Usually the cafeteria is where good food goes to meet its maker, but at Kersville Elementary, lunchtime is a little different. For starters, the food is delicious...
Heir of storms
Murray, Lauryn Hamilton
Paper Book
A #1 Sunday Times Bestseller! This deluxe edition features lush purple sprayed edges, foiled jacket, printed endpapers, and a stunning world map Red Queen meets Shadow and Bone in this captivating romantasy about an outcast...
Gurple and Preen : a broken crayon cosmic adventure
Park, Linda Sue
Paper Book
This wildly imaginative, crayon-inspired picture book shows that with a bit of teamwork and a universe of creativity, anything is possible! Buzz! Zap! CRASH! Gurple and Preen are in a big mess! When they crash-land onto an unfamiliar planet...
Captain Underpants and the preposterous plight of the Purple Potty People [full color edition] : the eighth epic novel
Pilkey, Dav
Paper Book
George and Harold's time-traveling Purple Potty lands them in a crazy place in the eighth book in this #1 New York Times bestselling series by Dav Pilkey, the author and illustrator of Dog Man!The teachers are nice, the cafeteria serves delicious food, and the school principal, Mr. Krupp,...
Salvación
Proudman, Sandra
Paper Book
"A heartfelt, swashbuckling, standout novel." - Kirkus (starred review) In this Latinx YA fantasy inspired by El Zorro, Lola de La Peña becomes the masked heroine Salvación in order to save her family and town from a man who would destroy it for the magic it...
Fancy pants
Quigley, Dawn
Paper Book
Filled with lots of glitter, raised pinkies, and humorous misunderstandings, this second book in the Jo Jo Makoons series--written by Dawn Quigley and illustrated by Tara Audibert--is filled with the joy of a young Ojibwe girl discovering her very own special shine from the inside out. ...
Creepy crayon!
Reynolds, Aaron
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller! From the team behind the New York Times bestselling Creepy Carrots! and Creepy Pair of Underwear! comes the third in this hilariously spooky series about a young rabbit and his peculiar encounters--featuring a...
Rainbow boy
Rouanzion, Taylor
Paper Book
A story about a boy with a heart too big for one color alone. A little boy attempts to answer one of grown-ups' all-time favorite questions: "What's your favorite color?" But with so many wonderful colors to choose from, he doesn't know how to answer. He loves his pink sparkly tutu,...
Surrendering to Hunt
Ryan, Jennifer
Paper Book
New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan returns to the Wyoming Wilde series as a by-the-book lawman tangles with a stubborn young woman. Perfect for fans of authors like Maisey Yates, Joanne Kennedy and Carolyn Brown as well as Diana Palmer, Linda Lael Miller,...
The beasts we bury
Taylor, D. L.
Paper Book
"Will appeal to fans of Brigid Kemmerer and Adrienne Young." --BCCB "Full of compelling twists and high-stakes magic . . . a captivating romantic fantasy that had me rooting for the protagonists from the very first page." --Kelly Andrew, New York Times...
Wicked darlings
Taylor, Jordyn
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER . From the author of The Revenge Game comes a twisty YA thriller about the underbelly of Manhattan's high society, where nothing is off-limits-not even murder. Aspiring journalist Noa has a secret she's been keeping. Ever since her sister's tragic death...
Bunny will not be quiet!
Tharp, Jason
Paper Book
From the endless imagination of Jason Tharp comes a brand-new, interactive Level 1 Ready-to-Read that's perfect for fans of Mo Willems, Jim Benton, David Milgrim, and for beginning readers who like to giggle! Bunny is being loud. His friend Big keeps asking him to be quiet, but...
In search of the color purple : the story of an American masterpiece
Tillet, Salamishah
Paper Book
Mixing cultural criticism, literary history, biography, and memoir in an exploration of Alice Walker's critically acclaimed and controversial novel, The Color Purple Alice Walker made history in 1982 when she became the first black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, both...
The color purple
Walker, Alice
Paper Book
A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick Winner of the Pulitzer Prize * Winner of the National Book Award   Published to unprecedented acclaim,The Color Purple established Alice Walker as a major voice in...
Music mavens : 15 women of note in the industry
Walker, Ashley
Paper Book
Nothing moves us like music.  Music Mavens transports readers around the world (and beyond)--to a jazz performance in Genoa, an instrument lab in London, a Tokyo taiko dojo, a New York City beatbox battle, and even a film scoring session aboard the starship...
Harold and the purple crayon : a new adventure
West, Alexandra
Paper Book
Harold and the Purple Crayon is coming to the big screen in summer 2023, featuring stars Zachary Levi, Zooey Deschanel, Lil Rel Howery, and Ravi Patel! Join Harold, Porcupine, and Moose as they surf the ocean's waves, get lost in the big city, learn to ride a motorcycle, and discover a...
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