What They Teach In Librarian School

 

What is this book?

An adventure story where three friends discover the truth behind libraries -- they are run by wizards and powered by dragons. Two of the friends are avid book worms and the third, our protagonist, is more of a tree-climber. She has to be dragged to the library by her friends with promises of continuing on to more active pursuits, but she's the one with a precocious talent for the magic wielded by librarians. Of course, things get complicated -- an evil developer wants to destroy the library to make room for more shopping malls. He has no idea of their true power -- or does he? The three friends will have to band together to deal with this threat, since the librarians are distracted.

Since I'm on the side of the library lovers, I was slow to warm to Kit. And I was appalled that the librarian didn't mention the sequels to Wizard of Earthsea. But by the time Kit had a few stripes on her wizard cloak I was firmly on her side, and the final resolution worked really well for me. And I liked the different details of the families of the three friends, although they weren't really in focus for the story.

Who would read this book?

It's a fairly simple chapter book, with frequent illustrations, so it's a good book for newly independent readers stretching their muscles. I like the illustrations and the mix of realistic detail (poorly performing automatic doors) and magical description (the lush forest under the library). It's simple enough for young readers in early elementary, but the characters are old enough to get to the library on their own so it would work through elementary school. Also, since Kit herself is loudly convinced that books are boring, it might be extra endearing to reluctant readers.

Who would I give it to?

It would be a good read aloud book, especially for a kid or group just moving on from single sitting stories to chapter stories. It's also a fun book for library lovers or the book averse.

How did I get it?

Candlewick Press sent me a free copy in return for an honest review. Thanks!