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rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
'The Lost Library' is a thoughtful middle grade novel that tackles the impact of stories and finding one's place.
The story centers on a number of characters, including a young boy named Evan who is apprehensive about going to middle school, a young woman living in the town's History House, and a cat who lived in the old library. When a little free library shows up on the town lawn and Evan discovers books that connect to his family, he begins searching for the truth of what happened to the town library that burned down years in the past.
Stead and Mass create a collection of engaging characters that are all centered around a central mystery. I really liked how the story switches between different perspective characters, including the cat. It sets up an intriguing mystery that is deeply tied to all of the characters and sets it next to a story about a boy trying to find his place before he goes off to the scary world of middle school.
I think this is a fun, heart filled story that will be a great option for middle grade readers and adults alike.
The story centers on a number of characters, including a young boy named Evan who is apprehensive about going to middle school, a young woman living in the town's History House, and a cat who lived in the old library. When a little free library shows up on the town lawn and Evan discovers books that connect to his family, he begins searching for the truth of what happened to the town library that burned down years in the past.
Stead and Mass create a collection of engaging characters that are all centered around a central mystery. I really liked how the story switches between different perspective characters, including the cat. It sets up an intriguing mystery that is deeply tied to all of the characters and sets it next to a story about a boy trying to find his place before he goes off to the scary world of middle school.
I think this is a fun, heart filled story that will be a great option for middle grade readers and adults alike.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Death
reading_ladies_blog's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
mrsmcc's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Death
bella_cavicchi's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Stead and Mass capture the imagination like no other. Adding this to the genre of "cute books about books."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Death
meesha_mo's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
This book is cute though I wish more care was shown to Al by this town. Would recommend this to elementary/middle schools.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent
megwilli's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
atamano's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
bookslucyking's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Fire/Fire injury
mlottermoser's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Middle grade fiction about an old mystery in a small town. Libraries, animal narrators, and times of change.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Fire/Fire injury
juliesplotsandpages's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
What a charming book! I started reading this, and then just couldn't put it down. I loved the way it was told - through three different perspectives. But it was done in such a unique way!
I will say that this book deals with a couple of heavy topics, but it handles them beautifully. And it's not at all a heavy or dark read in spite of the topics. Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass manage to keep the story fun and lighthearted and interesting. I was clearly engaged from the start. Very sweet read! Highly recommend.
I will say that this book deals with a couple of heavy topics, but it handles them beautifully. And it's not at all a heavy or dark read in spite of the topics. Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass manage to keep the story fun and lighthearted and interesting. I was clearly engaged from the start. Very sweet read! Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Death
Minor: Grief