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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death, Death of parent
Evan's hometown of Martinville hasn't had a library since the original one burned down in a fire so when a little free library appears in his town, he grabs two of the books from inside the small door. Evan and his best friend, Rafe, discover a link between the books and the library fire from many years ago. Now Evan is determined to get answers but most of the adults, including his dad, don't want to talk about the night of the fire so he'll have to get answers on his own.
The story is a fun mystery with a bit of a plot twist that kids might not see coming. I love finding a mystery book for kids that isn't too scary and this one isn't scary at all. The story is told with alternating points of view from a ghost librarian (Al), Mortimer the cat, and Evan. It's creatively written and the plot unfolds in perfect timing.
I enjoyed the alternating points of view and how each character's perspective contributed to the mystery of the story. The ghosts in the story were not scary at all. Including the cat's point of view is always a great choice for a kid's book as they often adore an animal as a character.
Of course, as an online book club teacher for kids, I loved the library as the backdrop for the story. It was fun to see the old-style check-out cards in the back of the books make an appearance in the story. I recommend this one and hope to discuss it online with students sometime!
The story is a fun mystery with a bit of a plot twist that kids might not see coming. I love finding a mystery book for kids that isn't too scary and this one isn't scary at all. The story is told with alternating points of view from a ghost librarian (Al), Mortimer the cat, and Evan. It's creatively written and the plot unfolds in perfect timing.
I enjoyed the alternating points of view and how each character's perspective contributed to the mystery of the story. The ghosts in the story were not scary at all. Including the cat's point of view is always a great choice for a kid's book as they often adore an animal as a character.
Of course, as an online book club teacher for kids, I loved the library as the backdrop for the story. It was fun to see the old-style check-out cards in the back of the books make an appearance in the story. I recommend this one and hope to discuss it online with students sometime!
This was the most sweet, cozy, and enjoyable middle grades book. If you're an adult, please keep in mind this is a book for kids, but with that in consideration, I still really enjoyed it.
Mortimer the cat has appointed himself as the guardian of the books and is protecting the little free library that for some reason has appeared in a small town. The story is a multiple POV between Mortimer, two fifth grade boys, and an assistant librarian ghost named AL as they uncover the mystery of an old arson case that brought down the town's library.
This was a delight - give it a read and pass a copy along to the middle schoolers in your life!
Mortimer the cat has appointed himself as the guardian of the books and is protecting the little free library that for some reason has appeared in a small town. The story is a multiple POV between Mortimer, two fifth grade boys, and an assistant librarian ghost named AL as they uncover the mystery of an old arson case that brought down the town's library.
This was a delight - give it a read and pass a copy along to the middle schoolers in your life!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Super cute story filled with loveable characters, an easy storyline and great writing. A light mystery that explores a small town, and lets the reader revel in a shared nostalgia.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Death, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Thanks MacKids & NetGalley for the eARC.
I adored this sweet middle grades story so much. A mystery, a library, and of course, a cat.
I adored this sweet middle grades story so much. A mystery, a library, and of course, a cat.
Thank you Macmillan Children's for sharing an earc with me. I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I mean...it has a cat, a little free library, mystery, ghosts...it was purrrfect! It also broke my heart at the end, but in a good way! I highly recommend this cute little ghost mystery.
THE LOST LIBRARY by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass is a middle grade book that gently delves into loss and suspicion.
A library fire in the town years ago under mysterious circumstances. The appearance of some of the salvaged books in a little free library. Middle schoolers investigating the past. A former library employee with her own ghosts to face, both literal and figurative.
Various characters narrate the different chapters, and they can each offer their own insight into the mystery of the fire and the possible involvement of a famous author. Little free libraries are replete in Wisconsin, where they originated, and they've gathered popularity elsewhere, but in short, anyone can set one up, creating a public box for the community to take and leave titles. I loved seeing one at the heart of this story.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which was excellently narrated by Christopher Gebauer, Jennifer Blom, and Rob Dircks, each with their own ways of bringing the story to life.
(I received a digital ALC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)
A library fire in the town years ago under mysterious circumstances. The appearance of some of the salvaged books in a little free library. Middle schoolers investigating the past. A former library employee with her own ghosts to face, both literal and figurative.
Various characters narrate the different chapters, and they can each offer their own insight into the mystery of the fire and the possible involvement of a famous author. Little free libraries are replete in Wisconsin, where they originated, and they've gathered popularity elsewhere, but in short, anyone can set one up, creating a public box for the community to take and leave titles. I loved seeing one at the heart of this story.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which was excellently narrated by Christopher Gebauer, Jennifer Blom, and Rob Dircks, each with their own ways of bringing the story to life.
(I received a digital ALC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)
The Lost Library is a timeless story about a mysterious little free library in Martinville. The story follows eleven-year-old Evan and his friend Rafe as they discover a connection between old books and a long-gone event, exploring the power of good books and the importance owning one's truth. This middle-grade fiction was an enjoyable change of pace from my usual readings.
If your cover promises a little library, guarded by a cat and narrated by a ghost librarian, I will probably pick it up.
This middle-grade book has a mystery to solve. Family secrets are exposed. And the resolution was like a big hug and leaves you with a smile.
This middle-grade book has a mystery to solve. Family secrets are exposed. And the resolution was like a big hug and leaves you with a smile.