Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass are two of my favorite authors. Having them co-write a book turned into an engaging reading experience.

THE LOST LIBRARY found it’s way into my hands toward the end of last summer so I’m glad to have finally found a spot in my review schedule to feature a mystery centered around a ghost, a cat, a boy, and the sudden appearance of a roadside little library.

The story unfolds in multiple viewpoints. Eleven-year-old Evan discovers the free library near where the old library burned down many decades ago. It is guarded by Mortimer, an orange cat who also narrates many chapters. Evan takes two books, one of which is How to Write a Mystery Novel. Reading it unfolds his own mystery of how the library burned down.

Together with his friend Rafe they begin asking questions to adults, but no one wants to talk about the old library. This includes Evan’s dad who was a resident of the town when the library burned down. The third narrator turns out to be a ghost librarian who died in the fire.

THE LOST LIBRARY is perfect for 3rd – 5th graders, especially those getting ready to enter middle school. It’s about writing and the joys of finding a good book… with a special nod to those gifted individuals we know as librarians.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: August 29. 2023 PAGE COUNT: 223

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE LOST LIBRARY

1. The relationship between Evan and Rafe is what friendship is all about. They supported each other in a positive way and it will bring a smile to your face.
2. The puzzle of who burned the library down is put together with hints throughout. They will have young readers guessing and turning the pages for more.
3. Mortimer the cat plays a big role and his narration shines. He takes for granted the misconceptions humans have of his name and purpose in life.
4. AL is the ghost librarian and her passion for books is ever present. She continues to struggle making sense of the tragedy that lost several lives while delaying the afterlife. An outstanding representative of those people who help us love books-our librarians.
5. Evan learns how to write a mystery and defines his own protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters. The journey will encourage young readers to maybe write their own mystery.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Rebecca Stead is a bestselling author of seven novels for young people: When You Reach Me, Liar & Spy, First Light, Goodbye Stranger, Bob (with Wendy Mass), The Lost Library (ditto) and The List of Things That Will Not Change.

Her books have been awarded the Newbery Medal, the Boston Globe/Horn Book Fiction Award and Fiction Honor, and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize; shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, Waterstone’s Book Prize, Barnes & Noble Children’s Book Award, and Premio Strega Ragazze e Ragazza; and named New York Times Notable Books for Children, NPR’s Books We Love, and a Time magazine Top Ten of the Year.

She’s not a fast writer but has learned to embrace her process and urges you to do the same.

Wendy Mass is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-one novels for young people (which have been translated into 32 languages and nominated for 91 state book awards). She lives with her family in northwest New Jersey.

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