Review: The Secret Library

By Kekla Magoon

Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2024. 373 pages.

Dally finds a mysterious letter from her grandfather who just passed away. The letter sends her to a library that is full of secrets with books that she can check out and read —if reading was holding a book that is a portal that transports Dally back in time so that she can see the secret play out in real life. Secrets about her past, her family’s past, or secrets from other families. Basically, the Secret Library is a place full of adventure where she must learn and survive each family secret. However, all secrets come with a price, and there is one price that the Secret Library wants Dally to pay that she isn’t sure she wants to pay.

Readers who love all the various types of genres mashed up together will enjoy this particular novel. It has adventure, fantasy, historical fiction, and realistic fiction —just to name a few. A lot is going on, and yet Dally and the various family members that she keeps meeting while traveling through time to see her family’s past secrets are all well-developed and will become friends to those who read about them. Also, I am dying to talk to someone about the ending of this book. So, if you end up reading it, please talk to me! This book left me thinking about it for many days afterward. And any other readers who like to think through what might happen if you play with time, may also be left thinking long after the book has finished.

Comments

Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) by Pamela Espeland & Elizabeth Verdick

If there's one book today's kids need to read, it is Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) . The authors provide a fun format for teaching etiquette to children. They discuss proper behavior at home, at school, at other people's homes and in public places. The information is completely up-to-date with cellphone manners and netiquette included. Fun, cartoony illustrations are on practically every page giving the book great visual appeal. This book is perfect for boys and girls in the fourth grade or older. WARNING: Bodily functions are discussed.

Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin

Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin Illustrated by Leslie Evans Charlesburg; 2009; unpaged Faces of the Moon is a short nonfiction book that describes the different phases of the moon and why the moon appears like it does on certain nights. This book is short and sweet so even the youngest of moon lovers will enjoy it. The layout is simplistic and easy to follow. I don’t know much about the moon so I found it very interesting.

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester 2008

J Fiction 328 pages I almost didn't finish this book. I got to Chapter 4, and was just about ready to quit (a kind of slow story about a girl, name of Piper McCloud, who discovers she can fly, parents freak out, she becomes a social outcast, yadda, yadda) but suddenly, right there in Chapter 4, the story takes a sharp turn and becomes really interesting . Piper finds herself in the company of others like her, but not "fliers", and under the care and authority of Dr. Hellion. I won't even tell you any more. Read this book. Forester does a great job of keeping you wondering who's the good guy and who's the bad? Piper is a likeable, strong, endearing character that girl readers will enjoy. But don't NOT give it to boys! The main male character is an extremely intelligent young man who is one of the ones you wonder about . . . good or bad? This is a good one, well worth your time.

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog