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The Grandest Bookshop in the World #1
La magica libreria delle meraviglie
Un libro di narrativa per bambini e bambine dagli 11 anni, perfetto per tutti gli amanti degli enigmi e dei racconti avvincenti e ricchi di mistero. Una storia magica sulla bellezza e l’incanto di un mondo pieno di libri e di avventure. Per Pearl e Vally la Cole’s Book Arcade è la libreria di famiglia, ma in realtà il negozio è molto di più: è la più grande libreria del mondo e insieme un emporio traboccante di curiosità e meraviglie. Qui è possibile assaporare tè cinese di finissima qualità e assaggiare caramelle che fanno cambiare voce, trovare libri illustrati a misura di cliente e passeggiare in una foresta tropicale in compagnia di pappagalli parlanti. Un giorno, però, Pearl e Vally scoprono che il padre ha concluso un accordo con un uomo misterioso pronto a impadronirsi della libreria. E così i due ragazzi si trovano coinvolti in un gioco pericoloso: dovranno risolvere sette enigmi prima dello scoccare della mezzanotte. Se riusciranno nell’impresa, riavranno il negozio, altrimenti lo perderanno per sempre e dimenticheranno che sia mai esistito.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2020
191 people are currently reading
3512 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews
December 29, 2020
The Grandest Bookshop in the World is a fictional magical realism novel, but it is based on a real bookshop that existed in Melbourne in 1883. The Cole family and all its members were real as well. Ruby Cole did die at the same age in the book from scarlet fever.
Also, just as in the novel, the book arcade was so much more than just a bookshop. All the departments that are visited in the book, existed in the real world as well. Toy Land, Wonder Land, The Tea Salon, the fernery, all the animals, it must have been a wonder to see.
As much a wonder as the arcade must have been to see, Pa, or Edward William Cole, the father, is the true marvel. A man who lived before the times. A man whose opinion and views were regarded by many as scandalous. You see Edward Cole believed in equality for all. He abhorred racism. He believed that everybody, regardless of race, class, sex, deserved the same rights. He employed a multi-cultural staff and believed that education, as well as a right, was essential to life.
With this amazing bookshop as a background Amelia Mellor has crafted a wonderfully magical tale and a great yarn.
Edward Cole, grief-stricken with the death of his daughter Ruby, makes a deal with a devilish, and a highlight of the book for me, character who calls himself Magnus Maximillian. Magnus is a character straight from “Alice in Wonderland” or “Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell”. An enigma, dripping with magic and guile. He is a creature who lives to cheat and thrives on deals that are skewed to always benefit himself while leaving the other partner in the deal bereft and lost at the least, dead and in the ground at the worst.
Magnus makes a deal with Edward to bring Ruby back to the family, but the cost is the bookshop. Edward is magically linked to the bookshop so as he slowly loses possession of the shop, he slowly loses his lifeforce as well, withering away before his family’s eyes.
Two of the Cole children, Valley and Paula, decide to make another deal with Magnus, with the intention of retaining the ownership of the bookshop and saving the life of their father. They agree to solve seven puzzles, seven puzzles that must all be completed in a time limit. If they fail one puzzle, they lose.
What follows is a magical race against time. The puzzles are all unique, but very solvable, and it is a joy trying to solve them along with the children while you read. They may be unique, but all are deliberated at a frantic pace, and all of them, if failed, will result in the children’s death.
Now I may be many years in age above the targeted audience, but I loved this book and could not put it down. One of the best pieces of advice I have ever been given is to never lose the inner child that lives within all of us. After reading and enjoying this book so very much, I realized that my inner child is still alive and kicking. The last puzzle and Paula’s answer is simply beautiful. 5 stars.
Also, just as in the novel, the book arcade was so much more than just a bookshop. All the departments that are visited in the book, existed in the real world as well. Toy Land, Wonder Land, The Tea Salon, the fernery, all the animals, it must have been a wonder to see.
As much a wonder as the arcade must have been to see, Pa, or Edward William Cole, the father, is the true marvel. A man who lived before the times. A man whose opinion and views were regarded by many as scandalous. You see Edward Cole believed in equality for all. He abhorred racism. He believed that everybody, regardless of race, class, sex, deserved the same rights. He employed a multi-cultural staff and believed that education, as well as a right, was essential to life.
With this amazing bookshop as a background Amelia Mellor has crafted a wonderfully magical tale and a great yarn.
Edward Cole, grief-stricken with the death of his daughter Ruby, makes a deal with a devilish, and a highlight of the book for me, character who calls himself Magnus Maximillian. Magnus is a character straight from “Alice in Wonderland” or “Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell”. An enigma, dripping with magic and guile. He is a creature who lives to cheat and thrives on deals that are skewed to always benefit himself while leaving the other partner in the deal bereft and lost at the least, dead and in the ground at the worst.
Magnus makes a deal with Edward to bring Ruby back to the family, but the cost is the bookshop. Edward is magically linked to the bookshop so as he slowly loses possession of the shop, he slowly loses his lifeforce as well, withering away before his family’s eyes.
Two of the Cole children, Valley and Paula, decide to make another deal with Magnus, with the intention of retaining the ownership of the bookshop and saving the life of their father. They agree to solve seven puzzles, seven puzzles that must all be completed in a time limit. If they fail one puzzle, they lose.
What follows is a magical race against time. The puzzles are all unique, but very solvable, and it is a joy trying to solve them along with the children while you read. They may be unique, but all are deliberated at a frantic pace, and all of them, if failed, will result in the children’s death.
Now I may be many years in age above the targeted audience, but I loved this book and could not put it down. One of the best pieces of advice I have ever been given is to never lose the inner child that lives within all of us. After reading and enjoying this book so very much, I realized that my inner child is still alive and kicking. The last puzzle and Paula’s answer is simply beautiful. 5 stars.
August 2, 2021
I bought this late last year with a voucher I had gotten for Christmas. It was one of those times when I went into the store absolutely certain of what I wanted to buy, and then I saw this and the list was immediately irrelevant. I just fell in love with the cover and the title and that was that.
About halfway through reading it, I put it down long enough to go online and mark the authors name on a local website, so anytime she releases a book I get an email about it. I really look forward to reading more by her. The Grandest Bookshop in the World was absolutely wonderful. It's a darkly brilliant adventure story, that also deals quite beautifully with death and grief. What I especially liked here was that the stakes felt very real -- I was never confident about the safety of Pearl and Vally, and the seven challenges had very real consequences, especially towards the end. There were plenty of moments that were quite disturbing, especially when
I loved the Obscurosmith as a villain, he was creepy and interesting and I looked forward to his appearances, though felt relieved when he would vanish again.
I also really liked making further sense of the various scenes depicted through the windows on the book cover as I read the story. Any part of the book that took place in the lolly shop made me incredibly hungry, craving an absurd amount of anything sweet. I also fell down a bit of rabbit hole Googling mandrills.
"Cole's Book Arcade was Melbourne's literary funhouse, but its creator was truly inspirational | Books | The Guardian" https://amp.theguardian.com/books/202...
About halfway through reading it, I put it down long enough to go online and mark the authors name on a local website, so anytime she releases a book I get an email about it. I really look forward to reading more by her. The Grandest Bookshop in the World was absolutely wonderful. It's a darkly brilliant adventure story, that also deals quite beautifully with death and grief. What I especially liked here was that the stakes felt very real -- I was never confident about the safety of Pearl and Vally, and the seven challenges had very real consequences, especially towards the end. There were plenty of moments that were quite disturbing, especially when
I loved the Obscurosmith as a villain, he was creepy and interesting and I looked forward to his appearances, though felt relieved when he would vanish again.
I also really liked making further sense of the various scenes depicted through the windows on the book cover as I read the story. Any part of the book that took place in the lolly shop made me incredibly hungry, craving an absurd amount of anything sweet. I also fell down a bit of rabbit hole Googling mandrills.
"Cole's Book Arcade was Melbourne's literary funhouse, but its creator was truly inspirational | Books | The Guardian" https://amp.theguardian.com/books/202...
December 29, 2022
this feels overly harsh but i was just so bored 😔
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: Mauritian sc with vitiligo.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
January 18, 2021
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. It’s set in Melbourne my hometown, it’s about a bookshop and I hoped it to be a great read. But sadly it just did not appeal. I couldn’t understand why these people had magical abilities; it just made no sense and there was no explanation. I really just couldn’t warm to any of them. I think the thing that really confused my brain was that the author made such a big deal of this being a real bookstore in Melbourne all those years ago and yet we have this odd magical plot thrown in. It just did not gel for me.
October 21, 2020
The Grandest Bookshop in the World is one of the cutest middle grade books I’ve ever read. I love how Amelia incorporated the history of Cole’s Book Arcade, the Cole family and Melbourne into the story. It was incredible to learn more about the city I live in and I really wish Cole’s Book Arcade was still around!
I was captivated by the first page. It’s fast paced and packed full of adventure. The Cole family are absolutely loveable. Not only is this book super fun, it’s also educational. The way I would describe this story is an educational Jumunji. The children have to solve riddles to complete each life threatening challenge.
It was amazing to read about such a progressive man like Mr Cole. He let his children decide if they wanted to go to school or learn at home. He was also incredibly proud of his multicultural staff. He strongly opposed the White Australia Policy. You can read more about him and the bookstore in the back of the book.
The story explores grief and the desperation to get back the one you love. It does get emotional at points, but the story is told by two children, so isn’t too upsetting. I highly recommend this adorable read for children and adults! You’ll fall in love with the Coles and the magic of Cole’s Book Arcade. Plus the cover is everything!
Thank you Affirm Press for sending me this one in exchange for an honest review.
I was captivated by the first page. It’s fast paced and packed full of adventure. The Cole family are absolutely loveable. Not only is this book super fun, it’s also educational. The way I would describe this story is an educational Jumunji. The children have to solve riddles to complete each life threatening challenge.
It was amazing to read about such a progressive man like Mr Cole. He let his children decide if they wanted to go to school or learn at home. He was also incredibly proud of his multicultural staff. He strongly opposed the White Australia Policy. You can read more about him and the bookstore in the back of the book.
The story explores grief and the desperation to get back the one you love. It does get emotional at points, but the story is told by two children, so isn’t too upsetting. I highly recommend this adorable read for children and adults! You’ll fall in love with the Coles and the magic of Cole’s Book Arcade. Plus the cover is everything!
Thank you Affirm Press for sending me this one in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2022
What a lovely book. I admit, it took me some time to get into it. I found the start very slow but it’s hard to say if that was the books fault or just the lingering effects of my reading slump.
However, once the book gets underway it’s a joy. Based on the real Cole’s Book Arcade in Melbourne, The Grandest Bookshop in the World is a completely accurate title.
Childlike wonder fights against adult cynicism as the Cole children take on a magical trickster in an attempt to stop their arcade being stolen. It’s a simple story, which uses its setting to great effect.
Amelia Mellor did an excellent job of bringing the historic location to life on the page. I’m so glad she did. Despite living in Melbourne for most of my life I had never heard of Cole’s Book Arcade. I’ve been to Melbourne Museum countless times but don’t remember the display referenced in Mellor’s historical note.
I’m so glad this book exists, to keep the memory of this lost piece of Melbourne alive.
September 2, 2021
Sorry but I just could not give this book more than one star. I’ve read various genres lately but I just found this so boring and could not get into the story at all even from the beginning. I hung in there hoping it would get better but nope for me. I know it’s a young adult book but 🤷♀️ I could not see the actual point of it. I’m so glad many of you enjoyed it but I guess it was just not for me!
July 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this fantasy mystery with puzzles (although ).
The idea of the zombie half-dead was pretty disturbing - it reminded me a bit of Chucky or Goosebumps.
It has a happy ending, which was really well wrapped-up.
I can easily see readers of The Wishing Chair moving onto books like this when they outgrow WC. I'd say ages 10/11+.
The idea of the zombie half-dead was pretty disturbing - it reminded me a bit of Chucky or Goosebumps.
It has a happy ending, which was really well wrapped-up.
I can easily see readers of The Wishing Chair moving onto books like this when they outgrow WC. I'd say ages 10/11+.
October 5, 2020
My son is not old enough for this but have been reading it to my wife instead! Full of fun and mystery and love the accuratehistorical twost tied into the tale. A must for any Melbournian, imaginative teen or fan of Australian lit! Beautiful presentation in hard cover and excited to have a first edition!
December 15, 2020
Love the fact this book was set in what used to be a real shop in Melbourne and loosely uses the original Cole family to tell a fictional tale. It’s a children’s story with a dark-ish magical mystery that must be solved within the time limit, at the risk of losing it all. And of course, there’s the fiendish person they made the deal with. This story has appeal for all ages (but not too young!)
February 11, 2021
The Grandest Bookshop in the World is based on the real Cole’s Book Arcade in historical Melbourne. It follows two siblings, Pearl and Vally Cole as that attempt to save the family bookstore from a cryptic magician, Obscurosmith. The book is mixed with high fantasy fiction and with a bit of non-fiction on the historical location and characters. This is a children’s book that really captures the imagination of such a wonderful place, which I wish was still around. Highly recommend this for the little ones around 8 and over and if you are Australian who lives or has been in Melbourne then it is a must-read.
Colourised photo taken from the opposite side of Bourke Street
Colourised photo taken from the opposite side of Bourke Street
July 31, 2025
This book never quite found its genre, unfortunately. I went in hoping for whimsical fun, instead I found it disorienting, sometimes boring, and also way too creepy for the age it was clearly aimed at.
November 18, 2020
I was completely charmed by this book! Not only does it describe a place I wish I could have visited, it presents an almost Night Circus-esque eccentric magical realism.
This story follows the children of the owner of Cole's Book Arcade in Melbourne at the end of the nineteenth century, and their adventure to save their father and their arcade from a less-than-scrupulous magical deal. I'm sure it's quite scary in parts for very young readers - I was a little terrified for the kids here and there! High stakes and nail-biting trials, but they all come through in the end.
A masterfully written urban historical fantasy, with just enough elements of reality to delight a reader. I loved it!
This story follows the children of the owner of Cole's Book Arcade in Melbourne at the end of the nineteenth century, and their adventure to save their father and their arcade from a less-than-scrupulous magical deal. I'm sure it's quite scary in parts for very young readers - I was a little terrified for the kids here and there! High stakes and nail-biting trials, but they all come through in the end.
A masterfully written urban historical fantasy, with just enough elements of reality to delight a reader. I loved it!
December 18, 2020
So much of the best kind of middle grade magic here.
December 19, 2022
Per leggere la recensione in blog cliccare qui:
https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...
https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...
September 27, 2021
"You're right,' Pearl said. 'Everything will come to an end. The point is to enjoy it while it lasts."
This book ruled. The character growth, familial relationships, the magic, riddles, puzzles and vibrant descriptions really made this an enjoyable read. There were some surprisingly dark details that I wasn't expecting going into it, which really helped add depth to the story and the experience.
This book ruled. The character growth, familial relationships, the magic, riddles, puzzles and vibrant descriptions really made this an enjoyable read. There were some surprisingly dark details that I wasn't expecting going into it, which really helped add depth to the story and the experience.
December 11, 2021
Know your child’s capabilities when reading this book. Some will romp through it, others of a sensitive nature will question and feel doubtful about the themes used throughout. The complicated plot has the most wonderful bookshop imaginable disintegrating around the family who live in it because of a spiteful (well, deranged actually) villain Magnus who sets torturous mind-bending puzzles for the Cole children, mainly Pearl and Vally, to complete to save the bookshop and their lives. The descriptions of chaos are realistic and otherworldly and at one stage the children take sweets to enhance their performance and later their dead sister is resurrect to trick them. During their quest to solve the puzzles, their memories fade distressingly like Alzheimer's disease, and the bookstore’s famous rainbow slowly dissolves. Animals and plants also play a part in the drama but as the building's illusions crumble, crack and shatter around them putting everyone in grave danger, their parents are neatly sidelined to allow for sibling bonding. Although the actual Melbourne bookshop and Cole's Book Arcade was real in the 1880s, obviously the storyline is fictitious. The research for this book was intense and arguably more fascinating. A magic mirror gives Pearl a glimpse of the future which we know is the 21st century but the concept ends up being corny. I noticed similarities to other magical realism books and I shouldn’t have to name names when it comes to well-known authors of this genre. If in doubt, buddy-read with your child, or better still give it to a voracious teenage reader.
November 30, 2020
I just did not love this. I could barely bring myself to finish the book. I was so excited to read this as it’s set near where I live but the most excitement I had reading it was finding out the main character goes for the same AFL team as me.
July 13, 2024
The Grandest Bookshop is so much more than a bookshop, it is a place of adventure, family, friendship and challenges, the kind of book I thoroughly enjoy
May 20, 2022
This enchanting middle-grade read, based on a real-life family-owned bookshop in Melbourne, whisks you away to a childhood world of shape-shifting sweets, exotic creatures and sibling bonds that can face any challenge.
Cole's Book Arcade is Pearl and Vally Cole's whole world, so when it is threatened by the tricksy Obscurosmith, they decide to fight for it, no matter what the illusionist might throw at them or threaten to take from them if they lose.
I love the magic system in this story, and how no spell can properly form without the requisite amounts of imagination, articulation and conviction (all great things for every child – and every adult – to aspire to have).
I also love the sensitive handling of topics like grief and loss and longing, and how the tale subtly emphasises the importance of appreciating every moment we have with those we love, and the different strengths and skills each of us can bring to the world.
If you're looking for a beautifully-written escapist adventure that is perfect to recommend to and share with family, this one is for you.
Cole's Book Arcade is Pearl and Vally Cole's whole world, so when it is threatened by the tricksy Obscurosmith, they decide to fight for it, no matter what the illusionist might throw at them or threaten to take from them if they lose.
I love the magic system in this story, and how no spell can properly form without the requisite amounts of imagination, articulation and conviction (all great things for every child – and every adult – to aspire to have).
I also love the sensitive handling of topics like grief and loss and longing, and how the tale subtly emphasises the importance of appreciating every moment we have with those we love, and the different strengths and skills each of us can bring to the world.
If you're looking for a beautifully-written escapist adventure that is perfect to recommend to and share with family, this one is for you.
January 27, 2021
Set in 1893, The Grandest Bookshop in the World is based on the real Cole’s Book Arcade in historical Melbourne, and follows Pearl and Vally Cole as they try to save their father and their family bookshop from the mysterious magician, the Obscurosmith. The book is filled with twists and turns and magical conundrums, and fun word games and puzzles for the characters and readers alike to solve.
I really loved the relationships between the Cole children, each sibling felt so real and fleshed out, having their own storyline, well thought out personalities and relationships with the other siblings. The whole family was so delightful and loving, and they were a breath of fresh air.
A beautifully unique tale of grief, family and magic.
I really loved the relationships between the Cole children, each sibling felt so real and fleshed out, having their own storyline, well thought out personalities and relationships with the other siblings. The whole family was so delightful and loving, and they were a breath of fresh air.
A beautifully unique tale of grief, family and magic.
October 16, 2022
Tökéletes olvasmány volt egy elegáns gonosszal, rengeteg rejtvénnyel és egy izgalmas történettel, ami egy óriási, lenyűgöző könyvesboltban játszódik, ami jóval több, mint könyvesbolt. És bár húsvét előtt játszódik, halloweeni történetnek is elmenne.
Nagyon bírtam a rejtvényeket, nem lehetett könnyű dolga a fordítónak (Cséplő Noémi), de remek munkát végzett.
A könyv végén leírást kapunk az igaze Mr. Cole-ról, családjáról, a könyvesboltjáról, ami lenyűgöző lehetett a maga nemében.
Még több könyvet a szerzőtől!
Nagyon bírtam a rejtvényeket, nem lehetett könnyű dolga a fordítónak (Cséplő Noémi), de remek munkát végzett.
A könyv végén leírást kapunk az igaze Mr. Cole-ról, családjáról, a könyvesboltjáról, ami lenyűgöző lehetett a maga nemében.
Még több könyvet a szerzőtől!
December 20, 2023
Review:
The storyline was a classic and great!
The plot was action packed and full of wondrous adventure; even managing to incorporate a bit of intensity!
3 Words:
Stirring, energetic and adventurous.
I haven’t read a children’s book [middle grade] in a while and after this, I wonder why I haven’t.
Overall: 3.3 ⭐️
Happy reading everyone!! 🤍
The storyline was a classic and great!
The plot was action packed and full of wondrous adventure; even managing to incorporate a bit of intensity!
3 Words:
Stirring, energetic and adventurous.
I haven’t read a children’s book [middle grade] in a while and after this, I wonder why I haven’t.
Overall: 3.3 ⭐️
Happy reading everyone!! 🤍
Read
August 6, 2021Winner of the 2021 ABIA prize for children aged 12-16.
This book is based on a real Melbourne bookstore, Coles Bookstore, which opened in 1886. A solid debut for Amelia Mellor. It’s a captivating book with diverse and fun characters. But the epilogue about the real Mr Cole was my favourite bit.
This book is based on a real Melbourne bookstore, Coles Bookstore, which opened in 1886. A solid debut for Amelia Mellor. It’s a captivating book with diverse and fun characters. But the epilogue about the real Mr Cole was my favourite bit.
August 7, 2021
What a wonderful middle grade novel. It’s a gorgeously magical quest of good versus bad full of lessons in cooperation and resilience. Vally and Pearl were delightful, as were the rest of the Cole family. There was also themes of grief and loss of memory explored here, which just brought tears to my eyes. The love of books and words were absolutely front and centre, it was all so beautifully done 🌈❤️🌈
August 20, 2021
Review in a sentence:
A really fun read about two siblings who battle through a mysterious man's challenges in an attempt to save their family's book arcade.
A really fun read about two siblings who battle through a mysterious man's challenges in an attempt to save their family's book arcade.
June 1, 2021
Enjoyable and unique. Historical and magical and based in Melbourne. I loved the puzzles, though they were easy to solve. Lots of crazy fantastical settings, characters and events. Would like to see a graphical presentation of this story. The ending was okay ... could have done with a little more magic or surprise.
September 2, 2021
Loved it. Such a beautifully written story and the fact that there is some truth to it is amazing.
August 2, 2021
is this the sweetest middlegrade I've ever read?
January 9, 2021
A very inspired book, written well and concisely! Still not sure which age group it is “meant” for, but this 32-year old was definitely swept along with the magic! Thoroughly enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews