One Book Author Shelby Van Pelt and "Remarkably Bright Creatures"

This Author Event takes place in the North Port High School Performing Arts Center, 6400 W Price Blvd., North Port.

Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources announces “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt as the 2025 One Book, One Community selection.

We invite you to come hear the author as she discusses the book. 

No Registration Required. First come, first seated.

Doors open at 9:30, Program begins at 10:30 a.m.

Everyone MUST present a Government issued ID or Driver’s License as part of the security screening process in conjunction with the High School's Visitor policy in order to attend this event.

Books will be sold at the event, and Author book signing will take place after the presentation.

Limited Parking on-site, plan to arrive early when doors open at 9:30 a.m.

• Parking areas near the event include:
  • North Port High School. 6400 W. Price Blvd., North Port.
    • Primary parking area.
    • Any open space is available, including timed spots with signs.
  • Heron Creek Middle School. 6501 W. Price Blvd., North Port.
    • Across the street from the event.
    • Parking in the grass.
  • Morgan Family Community Center. 6207 W. Price Blvd, North Port.
    • About one half mile walk from the event.
    • Parking available near entryway at Price Blvd. and near building.
    • Attendees who park in the Morgan Family Community Center lot can walk approximately 0.5 miles to the Performing Arts Center, or wait for a free mini-shuttle provided for the event by Breeze OnDemand. The van will make trips between the Community Center and Performing Arts Center from 9:30am to 10:45am, and from 11:30am to 12:30pm.
  • Sarasota County Breeze On Demand.
    • Attendees who live in the North Port Breeze OnDemand zone are encouraged to request a $2 ride to/from the event through Breeze OnDemand. Breeze OnDemand will service any address within the zone. Note that other passengers may be picked up or dropped off during any trip.
    • Visit scgov.net/OnDemand for more information about this service.

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Shelby Van Pelt’s “Remarkably Bright Creatures” is a luminous debut novel about a widow’s unlikely friendship with a Giant Paci­fic Octopus reluctantly residing at the local aquarium—and the truths she ­finally uncovers about her son’s disappearance 30 years ago.

After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope—a strategy she’s relied on since her 18-year-old son Erik mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound more than 30 years ago. While working, Tova becomes acquainted with Marcellus, a curmudgeonly giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone could imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight tentacles for his human captors—until he forms an unlikely friendship with Tova. 

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. As his affection for Tova grows, Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to uncover the truth for her before it’s too late

Shelby Van Pelt is the author of “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” a New York Times bestseller, IndieNext Pick and Jenna’s Book Club pick that has sold more than a million copies. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Shelby’s favorite place as a child was the aquarium in Tacoma, Washington. 

In 2015, a video from the Seattle Aquarium went viral featuring an octopus trying to escape its tank. Shelby was so charmed by this incident she began researching the curiosities and fascinating details of the octopus world, and her novel was born

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This Author event is offered as part of the One Book Sarasota programming, which chose “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt as the 2025 selection.
      Read the Book, Join the Discussion, Share the Story. Learn more at SarasotaCountyLibraries.org/OneBook.