A really enjoyable read with a compelling mystery plot and great point of view characters.
The books sets up a small town mystery well and keeps it moving with shifting point of view characters - including a cat I'm sure will quickly become a reader favorite. I enjoyed the descriptions of the daily life of ghosts and the appreciation for libraries and librarians will please many people. I think kids will enjoy this one.

What a gem of a book! These are some great characters.
I loved the little bit of mystery surrounding the burned down library.
I enjoyed having different points of views. Mortimer the cat, Evan, Al. It was wonderful to see how they all came together and how they all shaped each other's lives.
I loved the reveal of H.G. Higgins.
A book about friendships and libraries and how books shape up.


Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Sweet and charming middle grade mystery, with one of my new favorite cats in literature. The latter half of the book picks up the pacing, and actually left me wishing there was a little bit more. 9-12 years olds that enjoy thoughtful real world books with some fantastic elements should enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

This was such a heartwarming book! A library, ghosts, a mystery, friendship, poetry—it truly has it all!

I was drawn to this book because of the cover, but when I read it was about a free little library and a cat protecting it had to read it.
Very clever and fast-paced mystery story told uniquely. Nice plot twists at the end.
Free little libraries are such precious treasures in communities and it is no different in this case, and has a larger meaning at the end related to the character Al.
Evan picks up two books that will change the course of things while other people bring more to share. The books will change Evan's life.
Such a refreshing story with three amazing point-of-view characters, a cat: Mortimer, a 5th grader boy Evan who has the support of his best friend Rafe, and a ghost Al, all connected to the same: books.
The story becomes a mystery to be solved that has to do with the past and the secret around the original burnt-down local library.
I like that the main character took a book from the little library that explains how to write mysteries and is using the knowledge to discover how the library got destroyed. Will there be a villain/antagonist or not?
My favorite character was Al the librarian who understands and respects that there are different types of readers.
A book perfect for those who have a special passion for sharing books.

Thank Netgalley and the publisher for the arc. My opinions are my own and honest.

In the list of books that I have read so far this year, this one is at the top. Not only is it a heart-warming tale of connection and identity, but the magical realism elements are top notch. Stead and Mass do a phenomenal job of weaving each character's plot line into the overall thread of the story while still leaving mysteries for readers to discover along the way.

Part of the beauty of this book is the conglomeration of personalities that each bring something unique to the table. From a young boy seeking to bond with his distant father, to a ghost struggling to find her way in the world, to a slightly grumpy cat with an incredible devotion to books, this story is a web of characters that is spun into a marvelous work of art.

My favorite kind of book is always the ones that invoke a plethora of emotions, and this one does not disappoint. There were moments that brought about the biggest and joyous smiles, tear-inducing melancholy, fascination at each new clue in the mystery, and of course, humor that never ceases to make me giggle out loud. In spite of, and probably also because of, the mystical elements of the story, it never felt too fantastical or disingenuous and was therefore easy to relate to.

Creativity is the other main trait that draws me into a book, and Mass and Stead have truly set the bar. Some points of the story were easy to guess, but that didn't take away from any of the mysteries, and even added to it as the reader journeyed with the characters to fill in the missing pieces. I know I never could have expected the twists and turns this book would take. The depth of imagination woven into this world is phenomenal and is beyond inspiring as a writer.

This book deserves a place on the shelf next to all the classics. The themes transcend typical age level boundaries, so it can appeal to anyone at any age. If you are a reader who is seeking a story of connection and love and hope and joy, this book is for you.

There is so much to love about The Lost Library- the characters, the community, the mystery. Even before Evan's discovery of How to Write a Mystery Novel, the novel unfolds as that very thing. We follow Evan as he collects the clues sprinkled throughout, though we as readers get a little extra help from the POVs of AL and Mortimer. The reveals are exciting and astute readers will probably have their suspicions confirmed by the end.

I also appreciated the references to school and libraries (I'm looking into creating an author fan mail station thanks to this book!) and can easily see how teachers can incorporate it into lessons about plot, poetry, characterization... the possibilities are many and varied.

The Lost Library is a love letter to libraries and the people who love them, showing how communities like the ones built around libraries can help people get through difficult times and heighten the joys of the good times. A must buy.

This was such a fun, sweet journey of a story. Definitely one of the most unique and interesting middle grades that I've read, I absolutely loved our characters and the adventure.

The Lost Library was a quick and fun read that I am so excited about!

The chapters alternate between characters and are action-packed with mystery and... ghosts.
Evan and his best friend Rife live in Martinville and their lives are about to change, not just because they are graduating from elementary school. A mysterious little free library showed up overnight across from the History House in town. No one knows where it came from, but everyone is interested, especially Evan, who stops by and randomly grabs two books.

Rather than just leading to a new fictional adventure in the pages of those books, Evan finds himself asking more questions than he can find answers to. Those questions soon lead to a massive discovery with a nearly unbelievable plot twist.

Al used to be a librarian. She loved her job and was good at it, working under the head librarian, running book clubs for kids, that sort of thing. But that was before the fire that burned the library down, along with the people who were inside at the time. The library ghosts have drifted to another historic town building, and Al (who isn't good at invisibility) hides herself when people come through on tours, but she misses her library dearly. In the night, she builds and erects a Little Free Library outside, and the town takes notice. It's the only library they have.
Evan is finishing fifth (?) grade, and is drawn to the LFL. He chooses two books, unaware that there's something about them that will connect the threads of long-buried secrets.

There's a lot more to this book than "cute story" but I'm at a loss to find the right words. Heartwarming for this librarian, certainly. Not my favorite from either author, but enjoyable and one I'll hand-sell to some of my middle-schoolers.

An ode to the love of libraries, whether or not they are still standing. Narrated by Mortimer, the former library cat who has lost his home due to the library burning down and Evan, a curious 5th grader who has more questions than answers. When a "Little Free Library" appears on the town square stocked with books from the original library and all with the same due date, Evan is intrigued. He selects two books, both of which were checked out by the same person, H.G. Higgins time and time again. Wanting to know if this now famous author ever lived in his small town, Evan writes a letter asking for some answers about the night of the library fire. While investigating the site of the burned library for clues, Mortimer leads Evan to a set of keys which will eventually "unlock" the mystery of the library fire. Cute interactions between Mortimer and the local mouse population, ghostly inhabitants of the History House in town and a family secret come together to solve the puzzle of the library's burning and set the stage for a new library to rise from the old foundations. Fun, easy read for elementary school students. (Now if they'd only remembered to bring Mortimer and Petunia back to the new library!)

A young boy is curious about what happened to the library that burnt down and decides he must solve the mystery, even if it is close to home.

This book has my heart!!! I fell in love with the cover at first sight and loved the story. It was so so good for a middle grade, with such great suspense. The best I have read in a while.

Your classic friendship between two boys leads to a season of trying to uncover mysteries within their little hometown. It gives huge 'Now and Then' movie vibes, and took me back to summers watching that movie. With an added plus of the center of the story evolving around a Free LIttle Library!!! I think that is so special for books to talk about. They give so much to communities and love how its almost its own character in the book.

Love LOVE LOVE!!!!

I also love Rafe's parents... lol they remind me of me. So seeing that perspective from Rafe's point of view was a little eye-opening. Although the love for his parents is very evident.

Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC!!!!

Absolutely delightful story. The mystery begins when Edward notices a new little free library in his neighbourhood. The books come from the local public library, which burned down years ago. Further, some were checked out by his dad, while famous writer H.G. Higgins checked out another. Using How to Write a Mystery as a guide, Edward and his best friend Raul begin investigating.

Their perspective is interwoven with that of the cat who hangs out by the free library and a person who lives in the town's history house. Slowly, Edward and Raul put the pieces together to uncover a far larger series of mysteries than they initially expected.

The interpersonal relationships are well written and give the book so much heart. The Lost Library is a love song to librarianship and the power of community. Books are important, but as catalysts for learning and relationships.

A delightful story of love. The Lost Library is a book about the love of books, the love of friendship, and the love of goodness. A tender book, it follows the unraveling of a mystery by a kind-hearted character, who just happens to be in 5th grade. The plot moves along between different points of view without the usual jarring bounces that usually accompanies such a theme. The cast of characters are all so likable that I would encourage teachers to use this book as a gentle class read at Halloween.

Evan lives in the same small town, Martinville, where his father grew up, and is finishing fifth grade. No one in his class is looking forward to middle school, including Evan and his friend Rafe. On his way to school one day, Evan finds a new Litte Free Library, and takes two of the smallest books home with him. He shows them to his parents, and one has his father's name in it. His father, who works as a rather unsuccessful exterminator (he drives mice to the other side of the mountain, but they always seem to come back), doesn't want to talk about it. We have met the women who put up the library; Al, who was the assistant librarian at the Martinsville library before the fatal night in 1999 that it burned down, claiming the lives of her supervisor, Ms. Scroggins and the custodian Mr. Brock. They are living with Al in the local History House as ghosts, and Al is responsible for keeping them fed with apples, potatoes, and cheese. Al has a cat, Mortimer, who is alarmed that Al has made the library, and has stocked it with a cart of books that were all that survived from the basement of the library. The town has never had enough money to rebuild, so the Little Free Library sees some action, and several people add books to it. There's an egg crate, a suitcase, and even a sturdy umbrella to keep everything dry. Mortimer (whom people know by different names, as he travels around town a lot) stays with the books. Evan also sees that a famous local author, H.G. Higgins, checked out one of the books, and even left a Polaroid picture in it. Evan writes to the author and his teacher, Mr. O'Neal, mails the letter off. When Evan finds that his father was a library intern and was blamed for the fire, although nothing was ever proven, he is determined to find out what really went on. Meanwhile, Al struggles to keep her ghosts happy, but they are becoming more and she is worried that they will leave.
Strengths: Since this is written from several perspectives, we get an interesting view of what happened at the library from someone who was there, someone who didn't even know the library had existed, and also a cat, which makes this very intriguing. There's a nice mix of mystery, book lore, and philosophical musings on the importance of books. Evan is a bit shy, but steps out of his comfort zone to exonerate his father, who has other secrets. The cover is very appealing.
Weaknesses: Since this is clearly a book that librarians and teachers will adore, I will share the very nitpicky things that bothered me: I was a little confused as to why a library book was signed out by H.G. Higgins, but that later is proven to be a pseudonym. There is some talk that the whole cart of books was returned on the same day, the night of the fire, but I can't think of any library stamping system that would record when a book was turned in. Maybe they were all DUE on that date and thus stamped with it? Also, the school library is approached by Evan when she is reading a magazine at her desk. Was state testing going on? Because I can think of very few school librarian who have time to do that.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like these authors, or books that celebrate libraries. There aren't a lot of middle grade books that do that, although there are any number of picture books. Teachers who are fans of Mary Oliver's poetry will want to use this as a read aloud.

This was an interesting mystery. The library burned down but no one knew why...
Fiewel and friends and Net Galley let me read this book for review. It will be published on August 29th.

There is a boy who wants to solve the mystery. He looks for an author, snoops for hints.

He's friends with a cat and with mice. He has a hard search.

You'll never guess who the author is. And the ending is good.

I enjoyed reading it.

Can you imagine living in a town without a library? What if, in that very same town, a mysterious little free library pops up, complete with books and a guardian cat? Follow Evan and his best friend Rafe as they become curious about the fate of the town's s original library after finding some of the old library's books in the little free library. This mystery is definitely worth the read!

A charming and heartwarming mystery, this is an gentle and easy read with enough hooks to keep young readers turning the pages. Subtly introduces themes of self, community, and identity in ways that set the stage for discussion.

A fun story with cats and mice, ghosts, people of all ages from parents to kids. The shifting viewpoints let the story unwind at multiple levels, although the main character is clearly Evan, a boy just finishing elementary school. There are also mysteries at several levels from why Al can't turn herself invisible like the other ghosts to most importantly, who caused the fire in the town's library many years before. I figured out several of the minor mysteries easily, but the cause of the fire baffled me until it was revealed. I think this would make a fun read aloud.