Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved this subversive novel about a children’s librarian who kind of, sort of, accidentally runs away with a 10-year-old patron, who she admires and she strongly suspects is being abused at home, after she discovers him hiding out in the youth department one late evening. The precocious boy pretty much kidnaps librarian Lucy and they take off on a weird, funny, sad road trip – and you keep thinking, as does Lucy, how is she not going to prison and she is such a wonderful librarian! Edgy but also sweet and moving, dealing with issues of religion, parenting and gender identity.
3.5 stars rounded up. Quite an unusual book and not exactly gripping, but although I didn’t really understand Lucy, I did really like Ian. Often kids in books are treated as props rather than people in their own right, and I enjoyed Ian’s weirdness and lust for life. It was refreshing to see such a multi-dimensional child character.
adventurous
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
I chose this book as the subject matter for a school assignment on librarians in popular culture. Truth be told, I was tickled pink at the prospect of reading a fiction book again after several months of textbooks.
I loved the plot description: a young idealistic librarian named Lucy attempts to assist a precocious 10 year old patron, Ian, in checking out books- mostly classic children’s literature- that his mother disapproves of. I might have been less excited by this storyline if I actually had children of my own and worried about people in positions of authority corrupting their young minds, maybe not with Judy Blume though… However, the whole premise of the novel certainly opens up a can of ethical worms (hee hee, ethical worms).
What surprised me about this book is that despite my initial support of the main character’s decision to rescue the child from the oppressive influence of his parents and the insidious Pastor Bob, I ended up feeling strongly against both the librarian and her actions. I can understand the motivations behind them, but I also feel that she was using the situation to escape from her own feelings of guilt and dissatisfaction with her own life. And who’s the adult in the situation anyway? If some child tried to manipulate me into whisking them away on an impromptu cross country road trip, that dream would be squashed faster than a hapless bystander in a Godzilla film. I’d rather pick up a (possibly) rabid wounded raccoon in my car than play taxi cab to a child who may or may not attempt to blackmail me with false accusations in the future. Granted, Ian was pretty endearing as far as wayward children go, but that’s not a gamble I’m game for.
Of minor irritation in the story were the number of situations that would (or should) not occur in a real library. I know, I know, this is like watching a crime drama on TV with a police officer who feels the need to point out every discrepancy. But really, when you’re passionate about what you do, how can you help yourself?
The references to various children’s books throughout the novel were fun and I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy listening to the story. I also felt that the ending was thoroughly satisfying, if a little contrived.
I loved the plot description: a young idealistic librarian named Lucy attempts to assist a precocious 10 year old patron, Ian, in checking out books- mostly classic children’s literature- that his mother disapproves of. I might have been less excited by this storyline if I actually had children of my own and worried about people in positions of authority corrupting their young minds, maybe not with Judy Blume though… However, the whole premise of the novel certainly opens up a can of ethical worms (hee hee, ethical worms).
What surprised me about this book is that despite my initial support of the main character’s decision to rescue the child from the oppressive influence of his parents and the insidious Pastor Bob, I ended up feeling strongly against both the librarian and her actions. I can understand the motivations behind them, but I also feel that she was using the situation to escape from her own feelings of guilt and dissatisfaction with her own life. And who’s the adult in the situation anyway? If some child tried to manipulate me into whisking them away on an impromptu cross country road trip, that dream would be squashed faster than a hapless bystander in a Godzilla film. I’d rather pick up a (possibly) rabid wounded raccoon in my car than play taxi cab to a child who may or may not attempt to blackmail me with false accusations in the future. Granted, Ian was pretty endearing as far as wayward children go, but that’s not a gamble I’m game for.
Of minor irritation in the story were the number of situations that would (or should) not occur in a real library. I know, I know, this is like watching a crime drama on TV with a police officer who feels the need to point out every discrepancy. But really, when you’re passionate about what you do, how can you help yourself?
The references to various children’s books throughout the novel were fun and I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy listening to the story. I also felt that the ending was thoroughly satisfying, if a little contrived.
One of my favorite reads ever. I could wish for a bit more of a bang at the end; it was a bit quiet for me. But the journey? Extraordinary.
This one had me, lost me, then had me again. Book lovers will find a lot to relate to, realists and anti-neurotics won't.