While life has been disrupted in so many ways by the coronavirus pandemic, one of the things I miss the very most has to be the public library. I can’t recall a time in my life where I’ve gone this long (6 weeks, tomorrow, not that I’m counting or anything) since I last visited my local branch of the Cincinnati Public Library.
It’s not just that I miss getting new books. (Truth be told, at the time our library system closed down, I had 60 checkouts….) What do I miss, honestly? The habit of walking with my heavy L.L. Bean tote, full of returns, eager to pick up my holds and chat with my favorite librarians. I miss my library book club, even if some of us never read the whole book. I miss the creative displays in the entry way. The witty writings on the chalk board. All of it.
Of course, just because public libraries are not open right now doesn’t mean librarians aren’t still working to serve patrons virtually. They are available in virtual ways for those in need. And I know personally I’ve been reading a few library e-books to bide the time (love the Libby app!). But I’m sure I’m not alone in yearning for the day, however far away it is, when I can step foot into a library again. In the meantime, I just hope that librarians and library staff everywhere are safe and healthy. <3
To celebrate the joys of the library as space, I thought I’d put together a brief bibliography (once a librarian, always a librarian, right?) of middle grade novels in which a library plays a central role.
Middle Grade Novels <3 Libraries
Ban This Book by Alan Gratz
Booked by Kwame Alexander
Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransom
The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler
A Girl, A Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon by Karen Romano Young
Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck
Insignificant Events In the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
A Kind of Paradise by Amy Rebecca Tan
The Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander
Like Magic by Elaine Vickers
Mr. Lemoncello series by Chris Grabenstein
Nightbooks by J. A. White
The Ninja Librarians series by Janny Swann Downey
Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
Property of the Rebel Librarian by Allison Varnes
Rhyme Schemer by K. A. Holt
The Story Collector by Kristin Tubb
And yes, my latest, Things You Can’t Say by Jenn Bishop
Did I miss your favorite middle grade novel that celebrates libraries? Let me know! 🙂
