The Lost Library
Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead
The New York Times bestselling authors of Bob, Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, introduce readers to a little free library guarded by a cat and a boy who takes on the mystery it keeps.
When a mysterious little free library (guarded by a large orange cat) appears overnight in the small town of Martinville, eleven-year-old Evan plucks two weathered books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to change.
Evan and his best friend Rafe quickly discover a link between one of the old books and a long-ago event that none of the grown-ups want to talk about. The two boys start asking questions whose answers will transform not only their own futures, but the town itself.
Told in turn by a ghost librarian named Al, an ageing (but beautiful) cat named Mortimer, and Evan himself, The Lost Library is a timeless story from award-winning authors Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass. It’s about owning your truth, choosing the life you want, and the power of a good book (and, of course, the librarian who gave it to you).
INTERVIEWS and REVIEWS
Buzz Words
Cosy Dragon
GLAM Adelaide
Kirkus Reviews
NZ Booklovers
Publishers Weekly
ReadPlus
Sunshine House
andThe Lost Library
‘Pure enchantment.’
‘A tribute to the power of storytelling.’
‘An unusual fantasy with simplicity, immediacy, and wit.’
‘A perfectly paced plot, supported by secondary characters to whom readers will relate.’
‘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.’
‘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.‘
‘There are ghosts and magic and plenty of community spirit…An engaging mystery.’
‘Such a cute, quick read…Who wouldn’t love a cat, a lost library and a ghost? The writing is lovely and light…I’d highly recommend this for any of the young readers in your life.’
‘A beautiful imprint on my imagination…I would highly recommend this book.’
‘[The Lost Library] will delight its young readers as well as older lovers of books and libraries…An uplifting story that will leave readers feeling happy.’
‘This is a book about books, and how they can change people’s lives…A great class novel…About stories, and love, and secrets.‘
‘With its optimistic tone, quirky characters, and subtle life lessons, The Lost Library casts a magical spell…Mystery-loving bibliophiles of any age will find something timeless in this heartwarming tale. It serves as a reminder that books have the power to transport us to new worlds and change our own.’
