The Lost Library

Lost Library

Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass

Feiwel & Friends, August 2023

224 pages

Grades 3-6

Fantasy/Mystery

Multiple points of view examine life in a small town when a little free library pops-up in the place where the original library once stood before it burnt down to the ground. Al is an earnest library assistant from the former library, who now lives quietly with the senior librarian and an elderly patron in a historic museum/home. Something compels her to bring out the cart of books returned the day of the fire--and the last survivors--and start a little free library. Book-loving Evan is about to graduate from 5th grade and soon to start the fearful middle school. He is delighted to discover the little free library and surprised to see most of the books checked out to his father, except one which seems to have been checked out to his favorite. mystery writer. Is that even possible? Our third narrator is Mortimer the cat, a friend of the abandoned library crew and who is as terrible at catching mice as Evan's exterminator father. Mortimer wanders around town, goes by many aliases, and is the unofficial guardian of the new homegrown library. What is the story behind the library fire? Evan is determined to find out. Along the way he connects with the former employees and discovers his father's place within their story.

Two powerhouse authors combine forces for the first time since the 2018 release of Bob. A love letter to libraries and librarians, I had to read this book and was able to obtain an advance readers copy. With the soul of a fairytale, I found the story very readable and instantly fell into its pages. Young readers will also enjoy it and the short chapters and light mystery will keep them going. Al is a mysterious figure. Readers will want to know who she really is. Is she a ghost? Evan's character will give kids someone with whom to relate. Mortimer the cat is, well, a cat and that alone is enough to satisfy the intended audience. This is a story of redemption, forgiveness and finding peace. Readers will happily unravel all of the mysteries behind the library tragedy along with Evan and be satisfied with the conclusion. I could not tell who wrote what and will be interested in learning the backstory, which I'm sure will be discussed closer to publication. A cozy book that feels old fashioned in the best possible way.