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em_and_em's review against another edition
2.0
I received an arc of this book on netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I almost did not finish this book- it just wasn't for me. it seemed to go on and on and some of it just dragged. I thought it was interesting that there were little sidebars- I don't know whether it took away from the main text or not.
I almost did not finish this book- it just wasn't for me. it seemed to go on and on and some of it just dragged. I thought it was interesting that there were little sidebars- I don't know whether it took away from the main text or not.
jackiemann's review against another edition
3.0
3/5 stars: ★★★☆☆
"You can take us out of the library, but you can't take the library out of us."
A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon is a witty little story of a book-loving girl teaming up with the local (literate) raccoons to save the NYC library they all grew up in. When the head of the library's statue is stolen, negative attention is brought to the aging library that may lead to its destruction. Will Pearl and her friends, both human and otherwise, save the building, their home, in time?
This tended to be slow at times, but it was just so charming I couldn't not see it through to the end. The format was my favorite part- while the book is written in a linear plot of paragraphs, as one would expect, it was also peppered with sweet illustrations and sidebars written by one of the raccoon characters. There were touching moments throughout, as well as little twists and turns that keep the reader surprised and rooting for Pearl and her library.
This is a great novel for kids who already love books, though I don't know if it would hold the attention of someone who doesn't. The charm of book-lovers and libraries in a fun format are what carried this for me, but I do think it's a solid book that could go a long way in the hands of the right reader.
"You can take us out of the library, but you can't take the library out of us."
A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon is a witty little story of a book-loving girl teaming up with the local (literate) raccoons to save the NYC library they all grew up in. When the head of the library's statue is stolen, negative attention is brought to the aging library that may lead to its destruction. Will Pearl and her friends, both human and otherwise, save the building, their home, in time?
This tended to be slow at times, but it was just so charming I couldn't not see it through to the end. The format was my favorite part- while the book is written in a linear plot of paragraphs, as one would expect, it was also peppered with sweet illustrations and sidebars written by one of the raccoon characters. There were touching moments throughout, as well as little twists and turns that keep the reader surprised and rooting for Pearl and her library.
This is a great novel for kids who already love books, though I don't know if it would hold the attention of someone who doesn't. The charm of book-lovers and libraries in a fun format are what carried this for me, but I do think it's a solid book that could go a long way in the hands of the right reader.
myliterarylove's review against another edition
5.0
So precious!
I would love to see this book adapted as an animated film or tv series!
4.5 Stars
I would love to see this book adapted as an animated film or tv series!
4.5 Stars
bekki_f's review against another edition
4.0
Fun, precocious, and a bit fanciful. I would have loved this at 8 or 9.
moggmogg's review against another edition
4.0
Pearl was born in the library which she loves with all her heart esp. the statue of Edna St Vincent Millay. When she discovers Vincent's head has been stolen and the library may have to close down --she comes up with a plan find the head and save the library. Along the way she makes some friends.
MG Libraries; Family; Friendship; Reading; Newspapers; Raccoons; Homelessness; Activism; Fantasy
MG Libraries; Family; Friendship; Reading; Newspapers; Raccoons; Homelessness; Activism; Fantasy
howifeelaboutbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Pearl was born in the library, and has grown up in the same branch. It's where she goes after school, where her mom works, and where all her (adult, librarian) friends are. When Pearl discovers the library's statue of Edna St. Vincent Millay has been beheaded, she lets out a scream that sets off a chain of events. Some are good, like a potential new friend who's actually Pearl's age. Some are bad (besides the beheading itself), like the library possibly being shut down due to budget restrictions.
Pearl knows the library is worth saving, even if the adults who work there don't think it's possible. She has passion for books and the building itself, and she if she gets a little help from some magical raccoons, Pearl thinks she can make a difference.
This is a great book for anyone (of any age!) who loves adventure and fighting for what they believe in. Especially if they believe in books and libraries!
The writing style is very innovative, and was fun to see in a middle grade book! Informative footnotes, interesting and funny sidebars, and gorgeous illustrations. The magical realism was so perfectly done, I'm pretty sure I believe that what was presented (no spoilers!) is real. Read it for yourself and let me know what you think about that hint of magic.
Pearl knows the library is worth saving, even if the adults who work there don't think it's possible. She has passion for books and the building itself, and she if she gets a little help from some magical raccoons, Pearl thinks she can make a difference.
This is a great book for anyone (of any age!) who loves adventure and fighting for what they believe in. Especially if they believe in books and libraries!
The writing style is very innovative, and was fun to see in a middle grade book! Informative footnotes, interesting and funny sidebars, and gorgeous illustrations. The magical realism was so perfectly done, I'm pretty sure I believe that what was presented (no spoilers!) is real. Read it for yourself and let me know what you think about that hint of magic.
anniekslibrary's review against another edition
3.0
Pearl was born in the library, and she considers it her home. So when the library might be closing, and on top of that the head of the statue in the library garden gets stolen, she decides to take action. Her mother has always been telling her stories of raccoons who've learned to read because they live in the library garden. But are they really just stories?
When I have a bad day, I often reach for a middlegrade novel to read. They tend to be so wholesome and uplifting, and sometimes that's exactly what I need. A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon turned out to be exactly that as well. It was a book full of heart, and it reignited my love of libraries. It's the perfect middlegrade for any book lover (or Reading Raccoon).
I did think it moved a little slow at times, but things did speed up towards the end. There's also a sort of fantastical element to the book that pops up about halfway through, when you finally figure out who actually narrates the book. This book must have been a joy to write, and I found that seeping through the pages. While I do generally prefer middlegrades that pack a bit more of a punch, I still did enjoy this a lot and would definitely recommend it.
When I have a bad day, I often reach for a middlegrade novel to read. They tend to be so wholesome and uplifting, and sometimes that's exactly what I need. A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon turned out to be exactly that as well. It was a book full of heart, and it reignited my love of libraries. It's the perfect middlegrade for any book lover (or Reading Raccoon).
I did think it moved a little slow at times, but things did speed up towards the end. There's also a sort of fantastical element to the book that pops up about halfway through, when you finally figure out who actually narrates the book. This book must have been a joy to write, and I found that seeping through the pages. While I do generally prefer middlegrades that pack a bit more of a punch, I still did enjoy this a lot and would definitely recommend it.
portiabturner's review against another edition
3.0
My feelings were constantly shifting as I read this book. I was immediately pulled in by a book that takes place in a library starring a little girl obsessed with books. I was the weird kid that would give up my recess so that I could stay inside and help the librarian shelve books. I immediately fell in love with the raccoon narrator and the raccoon notes. What I had a hard time with was the character of Pearl herself. I understand that the book was about her coming to a place of acceptance, but she was so mean to others at the beginning. She spoke in such harsh ways that didn't feel like it matched with the rest of the character we had seen. And she continued to make bad choices that didn't fit either for me. It felt like the author wanted the reader to see the change Pearl went through that she hurt the character she had created in the first half. Pearl started to sound and act like a real character more in the second half, saving the book for me.
kellyhager's review
This is probably the most delightful book I've read this year. As you know, I absolutely love books about books and readers, and Pearl is an excellent example of this. She's never known a life without the library (her mom is the librarian and Pearl was literally born in the library) and so when that's threatened, she's both devastated and determined to figure out how to save it.
But this is also a magic story. There really are raccoons that can read and write, and they really do run their own newspaper. You can choose to believe or not and maybe it's that I read this right before Christmas, but I do choose to believe.
It's my first book from Karen Romano Young, but it won't be my last. If they're all as charming as this one, I've got a new favorite author.
But this is also a magic story. There really are raccoons that can read and write, and they really do run their own newspaper. You can choose to believe or not and maybe it's that I read this right before Christmas, but I do choose to believe.
It's my first book from Karen Romano Young, but it won't be my last. If they're all as charming as this one, I've got a new favorite author.
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