FANTASTIC FRIDAY: The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln
ABOUT THE BOOK
Twins Page and Turner know about the magic a library holds—they’ve been going to their beloved New York City public library for years, especially since their parents are always traveling for work. But a secret mission involving their dad’s rare and valuable edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula uncovers a world they’ve never known, featuring a mysterious Night Librarian, famous heroes (and villains) that have broken free from classic books, and an epic battle to save the library from total destruction.
REVIEW
Paige and Turner spend much of their time hanging out at the New York Public Library. With their parents often absent on business trips and a neglectful nanny, they also spend much of their time alone. The resentment this creates leads Paige and Turner (reluctantly) to 'borrow' one of their father's collectible books. When they take it to the library in an effort to find out how much it is worth, the book disappears. With the help of the Night Librarian, Ms. Literati, the children set out to find the book. Along the way they make some surprising friends and discover a magical world beyond their dreams, but without some quick action on their part, it may destroy the library itself. With numerous literary references and fictional characters, the book is bound to delight any true bibliophile. The art is appealing and the story entertaining with an unexpected twist at the end. The idea of characters being 'stuck' in their stories is an interesting one as is the question of how would that character behave in a different time and place. Additional themes related to sibling rivalry, neglectful parents, and overcoming anxiety play out in interesting ways. There is lots to enjoy in The Night Librarian. Recommended.
Note: In terms of content one of the characters that shows up in the story is the invisible man from H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man. While he is invisible, it requires that he wear no clothing in order to be completely invisible. At one point in the story he does become visible. While the illustrations don't show any details, his hind end is shown briefly in a couple of pictures.
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