  | Secret library Author: Magoon, Kekla | |
| Price: $23.78 | ||
Summary:
Since Grandpa died, Dally's days are dull and restricted. Starved for adventure and release, Dally rescues a mysterious envelope from her mother's clutches, an envelope Grandpa had earmarked for her. The map she finds inside leads straight to an ancient vault, a library of secrets where each book is a portal to adventure. Soon she's visiting every day to escape the demands of the present. But the library has secrets of its own.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 5.10 Points: 12.0 Quiz: 551608 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (03/15/24)
School Library Journal (00/04/24)
Booklist (02/15/24)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (+) (00/05/24)
The Hornbook (+) (00/07/24)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 04/01/2024 Gr 4–7—Delilah "Dally" Peteharrington is grieving the loss of her beloved grandpa, who provided some respite and fun from her mother's strict schedule to prepare the biracial 11-year-old for the family business. The enigmatic map he left just for his granddaughter sends her on a sojourn into the city, with the destination being a secret library only a chosen few can enter. Jennacake, the librarian, shows her that the secret library is a place of secrets. By selecting books that give her a particular word, feeling, or date in time, Dally enters a fantastical adventure through her family's history. Reminiscent of entering Narnia, the secret portal in this middle grade fantasy takes readers on an engaging journey through time and place, unfolding generations of experiences both delightful and concerning. Dally's introspective nature means she recognizes her privilege and this encourages readers to reflect upon the secrets unveiled. The nonlinear plot takes place across varied periods in time, propelling readers into situations involving friendships, family, slavery, pirating, theft, colorism, LGBTQIA+ profiles, gender discussions, and the pure joy of spending time with someone gone eternally. Humor breaks up the heavier topics, and the character duo of Dally and fellow traveler Jack is particularly endearing. A twist near the end will solicit assorted reactions and makes for a fantastic writing prompt for tweens. VERDICT Magical and reflective; a first purchase for stronger readers.—Lisa Krok - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 02/15/2024 Dally’s maternal grandfather has died, and she feels quite alone since he was the one person who understood her love of adventure. Dally’s mother has run the family business efficiently for some time, and she’s training her only child to take her place someday, but 11-year-old biracial Dally has her doubts. When she discovers the Secret Library, an amazing, magical place in which each book holds a secret, Dally often chooses books that transport her into the past to observe and interact with her ancestors. These experiences help her understand topics that her mother won’t discuss, including her father, who died when she was small. Eager for action and curious about her family’s mysterious history, she takes chances and makes discoveries. The story is full of clever touches, including the librarian’s responsibility to clothe Dally appropriately for each time-travel destination. Her adventures aboard a nineteenth-century treasure-hunting pirate ship are particularly exciting. While the episodic structure of Dally's adventures occasionally slows the story's pace, the Secret Library itself is a memorable, original concept within an involving novel. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
