06/26/2023
Library records contain the keys to a town’s secrets in this lightly fantastical literary mystery from the creators of Bob. On the last Monday of fifth grade, Evan McClelland takes two books from a little free library that has appeared seemingly overnight. The books’ circulation cards signal that they’re from the Martinville Library, which burned down years ago—and one card suggests that Evan’s father once checked out the book over and over again. With best friend Rafe and a copy of How to Write a Mystery Novel that’s linked to a famous author, Evan seeks to unravel his family’s possible connection to the town’s history while navigating his anxiety about the looming adjustment to middle school. Via distinct, unhurried voices, alternating chapters provide history and context from the perspectives of Evan, large orange feline Mortimer, and ghost Al, an assistant librarian at the Martinville Library who died in the fire. Bustling with well-rounded secondary characters and threaded with metafictional elements, Mass and Stead’s collaboration is a humane ode to the courage needed to face life’s changes as well as the power of libraries as centers of community. Cover art portrays Evan with pale skin. Ages 8–12. Agents: (for Stead) Faye Bender, Book Group; (for Mass) Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown. (Aug.)
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
A TODAY SHOW Kids' Read Pick!
#1 INDIE BESTSELLER!
The Amazon #1 Best Kids' Book
An Amazon Best Book of the Month
#1 Bestseller, New England and Southern Independent Booksellers Associations (NEBA & SIBA)
"When a makeshift Little Free Library appears on the town green, almost 20 years after the mysterious fire that burned down the town library, the people of Martinville are drawn together once more to not just solve the mystery of the fire but also to decide what it means for their own fates. Mass and Stead employ a rich cast of characters—including ghost librarians, graduating fifth-graders, mice, and a cat—to dive into the heart of Martinville. ... Full of heart, sly narration, and Stead’s expected air of mystery, this is well suited for lovers of books and libraries and novels featuring ensemble casts." —Booklist
"An entertaining, lightly fantastical and supernatural love letter to books, librarians, and Little Free Libraries.... Readers will come away feeling inspired."—The Horn Book Magazine
"A boy who visits a little free library gets more than he bargained for when he becomes a sleuth caught up in the middle of his town’s most enduring mystery.... A page-turner with striking characters and a satisfying puzzle at its heart." —Kirkus Reviews
"An absolute treasure." — Readings Booksellers (Australia)
"Written by two powerhouses of children’s literature, Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass ... Stead and Mass provide all the tools required to solve the book’s multilayered mysteries—but rather than make the reveals too obvious, they create an alluring trail of breadcrumbs, inviting readers to leap to each discovery by themselves.... The Lost Library’s whimsical simplicity is a delight. It is subtly magical, sweetly optimistic and above all, kind. The Lost Library reminds us that each book contains an entire universe, and the next one you step inside of could be the one that changes everything. The next time one of its readers walks past a little free library, they might just stop to look inside." —BookPage
Three narrators deliver engaging alternate viewpoints in a story about the overnight appearance of a Little Free Library. Events revolve around the history of a small town called Martinville, a mystery, and a ghost story. Jennifer Blom's soft voice portrays the tenderhearted kindness of a librarian who seems to be a ghost. She cares equally about books, patrons, and cats. Christopher Gebauer expresses the curiosity and perseverance of Evan, a fifth grader who dives into the mystery of how his father is connected to the burning of the town library 20 years earlier. Rob Dircks takes the role of Mortimer, a cat who understands the psyches of humans, ghosts, and mice. This audiobook, written by two experts in middle-grade fiction, is a perfect family listen. S.W. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Three narrators deliver engaging alternate viewpoints in a story about the overnight appearance of a Little Free Library. Events revolve around the history of a small town called Martinville, a mystery, and a ghost story. Jennifer Blom's soft voice portrays the tenderhearted kindness of a librarian who seems to be a ghost. She cares equally about books, patrons, and cats. Christopher Gebauer expresses the curiosity and perseverance of Evan, a fifth grader who dives into the mystery of how his father is connected to the burning of the town library 20 years earlier. Rob Dircks takes the role of Mortimer, a cat who understands the psyches of humans, ghosts, and mice. This audiobook, written by two experts in middle-grade fiction, is a perfect family listen. S.W. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
2023-06-08
A boy who visits a little free library gets more than he bargained for when he becomes a sleuth caught up in the middle of his town’s most enduring mystery.
Ever since a tragic fire destroyed the Martinville Library, the town has been left without a place to borrow books. That is, until a little free library suddenly pops up, guarded by a fluffy orange cat named Mortimer. Fifth grader Evan McClelland selects two books from its shelves. Inside them he finds puzzling clues that lead him to chase down the real story behind the library fire. The book is told from multiple perspectives, including those of Evan, Mortimer, and ghost librarian Al, who perished in the blaze and is responsible for the upkeep of the little free library. Evan’s tenacious and curious character is relatable. His relationship with likable best friend Rafe, a brave, kind boy with overprotective parents, is easily one of the most endearing parts of the story. The puzzle over the library fire, a secret involving Evan’s family, a popular writer’s connection to Martinville, and the supernatural elements are presented in ways that are just right for middle-grade readers. The pacing is strong, and the twists and turns are satisfying even if perceptive readers may catch hints of the ultimate truth along the way. Physical descriptions of the human characters are largely absent.
A page-turner with striking characters and a satisfying puzzle at its heart. (Mystery. 8-12)
