This year’s One Book One Broomfield selection couldn’t be a better summer read. The story is un-expected and remarkably original. One Book One Broomfield invites residents to read its 2026 selection: “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by author TJ Klune. Participate in book discussions and related events and hear from the author Thursday, Nov. 5th at the Broomfield Auditorium. Events are open to all, regardless of home library.
You’ll enjoy spending your time with the story’s two main adult characters: Linus Baker, a middle-aged caseworker sent to inspect a faraway island orphanage, and Arthur Parnassus, the compassionate headmaster of the orphanage on Marsyas Island.
The children are the heart of the story. Lucy is a six-year-old boy who happens to be the Antichrist. Despite his frightening reputation, he is often funny, dramatic, and lovable. Talia is a young female gnome with a fierce personality. She loves gardening and carrying a shovel and is one of the funniest characters in the book. Then there’s Theodore, a shy and sweet wyvern (dragon-like creature) who treasures buttons and shiny objects.
Phee is a forest sprite who has a strong connection to nature and considerable magical power. Sal is the oldest child at 14, and he transforms into a tiny Pomeranian when frightened. He is gentle and can be a bit timid. Chauncey is an unusual green blob-like creature with tentacles and eyes on stalks. His greatest dream is to become a bellhop and welcome guests.
The goal of Broomfield’s One Book program, dating back to 2006, is to create a citywide reading and discussion program that encourages residents to read the same book at the same time, creating a shared sense of community through literature.
Klune’s novel isn’t specifically a children’s book or young-adult read. It’s a story about found family, acceptance, and belonging, presented with humor, magic, and a hopeful message about seeing people for who they really are.
This book is fun to read and genuinely out of the ordinary.
Previous One Book One Broomfield Titles
2006: “The Meadow” by James Galvin
2007: “The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw
2008: “Breakfast with Buddha” by Roland Merullo
2009: “Eventide” by Kent Haruf
2010: “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” by Jamie Ford
2011: “Thinking in Pictures” by Temple Grandin
2012: “Healer” by Carol Cassella
2013: “The Dog Stars” by Peter Heller
2014: “Blood Memory” by Margaret Coel
2015: “Neverhome” by Laird Hunt
2016: “Grandma Gatewood’s Walk” by Ben Montgomery
2017: “Dark Matter” by Blake Crouch
2018: “Lucky Boy” by Shanthi Sekaran
2019: “Beautiful Boy” by David Sheff
2020: “Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country” by Pam Houston
2021: “Afterlife” by Julia Alvarez
2022: “The Honey Bus: A Memoir of Loss, Courage and a Girl Saved by Bees” by Meredith May
2023: “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” by David Grann
2024: “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt (This story is currently streaming on Netflix, starring Sally Field.)
2025: “Happiness Falls” by Angie Kim
Do you have a question about the One Book One Broomfield program?
Visit www.broomfield.org and search One Book One Broomfield 2026.
Bette Erickson writes about people, places, and events. Contact her at bette_erickson@hotmail.com.
