Reviews - The Lost Library

The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead, Wendy Mass

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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.)

trioniperera's review against another edition

5.0

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.

nearly_empty_nesting's review against another edition

4.0

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.

zbrarian's review against another edition

4.0

A lovely MG book about the power of libraries told from the perspective of Evan and Mortimer/Goldie the cat. Throw in some librarian ghosts and a mysterious fire, a free little library and you have a quick and fun read in your hands. Can't wait to get a copy of this into my students hands!

A story about a small town, a library that daughter fire over 20 years prior, a little free library that appears out of no where watched over by a big orange cat, an eleven year old boy who picks up two books and then finds himself involved in solving the mystery of the library fire.