With their delightfully epic middle grade adventure, Barnes, Parker, and Farley offer young readers a compelling portal into imagination and learning that will leave them hungry for more. Life in Texas for sixth graders Maya, Bridgette, and Ben isn’t all sunshine and roses, and the three run in different circles: Maya is a recent transplant from Israel and quite popular, intellectual Bridgette is somewhat quiet, and Ben is a theater kid at heart, despite his father’s push to hard science. Yet they share a common bond—the library. When a rogue supernatural attack by the Pierides destroys their library, the trio—along with Davey, a classmate and bully—are transported to the Helicon Academy, the secretive school that’s part of the hidden Library of Alexandria and “a working library of the Muses themselves,” where “student apprentices…learn how to care for and protect these precious books and the powers within.” Readers will relish the revelations and excitement that follows. Apprentices are made up of direct descendants of the original Librarians—until Maya, Ben and Bridgette break the mold. Once students pass a trial, they are cast into one of four roles: Guardians, Scribes, Storytellers or Curators, each assigned a certain duty in the Library’s defense. While their lives together at the school are filled with magic—from literary themed meals to the poet Homer as a dorm-mate—they still must contend with the growing pains faced by young adults everywhere: bullying, imposter syndrome, self-esteem issues, homesickness and fear, all handled with sensitivity.
Filled with heart-pounding action and page-turning suspense as a mysterious package points to a traitor within the Library’s ranks, the novel’s unique three-part voice allows readers to fully immerse themselves and identify with the characters. All three protagonists blend harmoniously with each other, bonded first in friendship, then with a common cause. Plentiful life-lesson reminders, such as overcoming fear, perseverance and resilience, are presented in an age-appropriate, organic manner.
Takeaway: Epic, heart-filled library fantasy-adventure that will inspire and delight.
Comparable Titles: Raymond Arroyo’s Will Wilder series, M.A. Larson’s Pennyroyal Academy series.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
