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The Library of Unruly Treasures
The Borrowers meets Matilida in this funny, winning story of a girl who finds herself an unlikely hero when she stumbles upon a big secret about little creatures. The latest book from the National Book Award winning author of the Penderwicks series.
Gwen MacKinnon's parents are dreadful. Truly, deeply, almost impressively dreadful. So Gwen's not upset at all when she's foisted onto her never-before-seen Uncle Matthew for two weeks. Especially when it turns out he has a very opinionated dog named Pumpkin.
Things take a turn for the weird when Gwen makes a discovery in the local library. A discovery that involves tiny creatures with wings. And no, they're not birds. They're called Lanukan. But why can only Gwen and the youngest children, gathered for storytime, see them?
The Ladhukan insist that Gwen is destined to help them find a new home. But how can a girl as unwanted, uncourageous, and generally unheroic as Gwen possibly come to the rescue? Pumpkin has a few ideas...
Gwen MacKinnon's parents are dreadful. Truly, deeply, almost impressively dreadful. So Gwen's not upset at all when she's foisted onto her never-before-seen Uncle Matthew for two weeks. Especially when it turns out he has a very opinionated dog named Pumpkin.
Things take a turn for the weird when Gwen makes a discovery in the local library. A discovery that involves tiny creatures with wings. And no, they're not birds. They're called Lanukan. But why can only Gwen and the youngest children, gathered for storytime, see them?
The Ladhukan insist that Gwen is destined to help them find a new home. But how can a girl as unwanted, uncourageous, and generally unheroic as Gwen possibly come to the rescue? Pumpkin has a few ideas...
352 pages, Hardcover
First published August 5, 2025
70 people are currently reading
1179 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne Birdsall
20 books1,271 followersJeanne Birdsall grew up in the suburbs west of Philadelphia, where she attended wonderful public schools. Jeanne had lots of great teachers, but her favorites were: Mrs. Corkhill, sixth grade, who encouraged her intellectual curiosity; Mr. Tremonte, eighth grade algebra, who taught Jeanne to love and respect math; and Miss Basehore, second and fourth year Latin, to whom Jeanne (and Mr. Penderwick) will be forever grateful.
Although she first decided to become a writer when she was ten years old, it took Jeanne until she was forty-one to get started. In the years in between, Jeanne had many strange jobs to support herself, and also worked hard as a photographer, the kind that makes art. Some of Jeanne's photographs are included in the permanent collections of museums, including the Smithsonian and the Philadelphia Art Museum. Her work can be seen in several galleries, including the R. Michelson Galleries in western Massachusetts.
Jeanne's home now is with her husband in Northampton, Massachusetts. Their house is old and comfortable, full of unruly animals, and surrounded by gardens.
Although she first decided to become a writer when she was ten years old, it took Jeanne until she was forty-one to get started. In the years in between, Jeanne had many strange jobs to support herself, and also worked hard as a photographer, the kind that makes art. Some of Jeanne's photographs are included in the permanent collections of museums, including the Smithsonian and the Philadelphia Art Museum. Her work can be seen in several galleries, including the R. Michelson Galleries in western Massachusetts.
Jeanne's home now is with her husband in Northampton, Massachusetts. Their house is old and comfortable, full of unruly animals, and surrounded by gardens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
August 27, 2025
I loved the Penderwick books, I was precisely on the mood for more of those or something similar so when I noticed this I jumped.
And it is very cute, very sweet, very cozy - a good girl neglected by her parents goes live with her uncle near Boston and finds herself guardian to well, for lack of a better word fairies living in a library. But it's maybe too sweet, too cozy, feels a bit old fashioned (Matthew's job being all in the neighbourhood!) just too simple. Not sure if real children would love it or not.
Incidentally the book starts with a prologue, the diary of an ancestor, laying out a lot of the worldbuilding - I thought the prologue confusing actually and that the main narrative might have been more interesting if read without reading the prologue, while Gwen starts to put clues together.
Noticeably Gwen might be the most goody two shoes, nice, diffident, hard working (excited to go repair porch steps) character I have read since the last Frances Hodgson Burnett book I have read, whenever long ago that was. I am not sure how I feel about it, I like "good" guys a lot but come on, there was something unrealistic about Gwen (and her insight and detachment about her parents) and the bigger issue here was how her parents treated her, not little magical people living in a library
For fans of Birdsall other stories, she is very good at stubborn strange younger girls (more Julia would have been good!), and dogs and at nice boys who became friends with hints of being good boyfriend material. But it was all a lot blander without the Penderwick sisters...
And it is very cute, very sweet, very cozy - a good girl neglected by her parents goes live with her uncle near Boston and finds herself guardian to well, for lack of a better word fairies living in a library. But it's maybe too sweet, too cozy, feels a bit old fashioned (Matthew's job being all in the neighbourhood!) just too simple. Not sure if real children would love it or not.
Incidentally the book starts with a prologue, the diary of an ancestor, laying out a lot of the worldbuilding - I thought the prologue confusing actually and that the main narrative might have been more interesting if read without reading the prologue, while Gwen starts to put clues together.
Noticeably Gwen might be the most goody two shoes, nice, diffident, hard working (excited to go repair porch steps) character I have read since the last Frances Hodgson Burnett book I have read, whenever long ago that was. I am not sure how I feel about it, I like "good" guys a lot but come on, there was something unrealistic about Gwen (and her insight and detachment about her parents) and the bigger issue here was how her parents treated her, not little magical people living in a library
For fans of Birdsall other stories, she is very good at stubborn strange younger girls (more Julia would have been good!), and dogs and at nice boys who became friends with hints of being good boyfriend material. But it was all a lot blander without the Penderwick sisters...
August 11, 2025
This isn’t something I expected to like. But protagonist Gwen is one of the most endearing characters I’ve ever met, and I was quickly hooked and wanted to see her story through. She’s a bit like a timid Anne Shirley and is sent to live with her Great-Uncle Matthew, a more confident Matthew Cuthbert, where she meets a clan of fairy-like creatures, Lahdukan, who need her help.
Parents of highly sensitive readers may want to know that Gwen is neglected by her parents. While she finds a safe home with her great-uncle, it’s painful to hear how she’s been shuffled back and forth between her mother and father as they prioritize their personal lives over their daughter. This will seem like the secondary plot to children, but it’s really what it’s all about. Gwen and her Lahdukan both need a safe, new home.
I definitely plan on reading this with my 5 and 9 year olds!
Parents of highly sensitive readers may want to know that Gwen is neglected by her parents. While she finds a safe home with her great-uncle, it’s painful to hear how she’s been shuffled back and forth between her mother and father as they prioritize their personal lives over their daughter. This will seem like the secondary plot to children, but it’s really what it’s all about. Gwen and her Lahdukan both need a safe, new home.
I definitely plan on reading this with my 5 and 9 year olds!
August 24, 2025
Gwen, or Gwen Alice, has been sent away from both her disinterested parents to spend the summer with a great-uncle in Boston she has never met. Once she arrives she is engulfed in the affection and acceptance she has never been given from either of her parents. She is also drawn into a family legacy attached to the community library and tiny winged people, the Lahdukan who migrated with her ancestor from Scotland over a hundred years ago. She is surprised to find that she, her unimposing self, may have a prophecy to fill with the Lahdukan.
I may have gotten in my own way at the beginning of this book. I have undying love for the Penderwicks and had trouble with a fantasy from the same author. Birdsall is a master of creating sweet children who don’t feel cloying. Gwen and her neighbor Julia very much fit the bill. She is great with animal characters, thus Pumpkin. However when the prologue began in Scotland with miniature people, I could not help but think, Nac Mac Feegles. The sweet and earnest Lahdukan have next to nothing in common with Prachett’s thievin’, drinkin’, fightin’ Feegles. Once I gave up on that hope and settled into the story it really began to work for me. There is hair-raising adventure in the end, along with an Anne Shirley worthy ending. I hope I can find readers for this, I think a series is planned and I very much look forward to more.
I may have gotten in my own way at the beginning of this book. I have undying love for the Penderwicks and had trouble with a fantasy from the same author. Birdsall is a master of creating sweet children who don’t feel cloying. Gwen and her neighbor Julia very much fit the bill. She is great with animal characters, thus Pumpkin. However when the prologue began in Scotland with miniature people, I could not help but think, Nac Mac Feegles. The sweet and earnest Lahdukan have next to nothing in common with Prachett’s thievin’, drinkin’, fightin’ Feegles. Once I gave up on that hope and settled into the story it really began to work for me. There is hair-raising adventure in the end, along with an Anne Shirley worthy ending. I hope I can find readers for this, I think a series is planned and I very much look forward to more.
August 14, 2025
I have to say, I was a little skeptical when I found out Jeanne Birdsall had written a fantasy novel.
For me and my sisters, the Penderwicks are a flawless collection of literature. I can't even count how many times I've read them nor how much I love them. The Library of Unruly Treasures was so different from the Penderwicks, yet it has the same magic. Miss Jeanne didn't fail. In fact, now I'm not quite sure that Miss Jeanne can fail. Gwen's character development was excellent and delightful, Nora and Uncle Matthew were literally the most lovely characters ever created, the magic and history and culture of the Lahdukan clans were so creative, and the Lahdukan themselves were perfect. And I will admit that I cried like a baby at the end of this middle school novel. And I'm not ashamed of it.
This book is a gem. I would give it a hundred stars if I could. Thank you, Miss Jeanne.
For me and my sisters, the Penderwicks are a flawless collection of literature. I can't even count how many times I've read them nor how much I love them. The Library of Unruly Treasures was so different from the Penderwicks, yet it has the same magic. Miss Jeanne didn't fail. In fact, now I'm not quite sure that Miss Jeanne can fail. Gwen's character development was excellent and delightful, Nora and Uncle Matthew were literally the most lovely characters ever created, the magic and history and culture of the Lahdukan clans were so creative, and the Lahdukan themselves were perfect. And I will admit that I cried like a baby at the end of this middle school novel. And I'm not ashamed of it.
This book is a gem. I would give it a hundred stars if I could. Thank you, Miss Jeanne.
October 21, 2025
4.5 stars. I can’t even express how adorable this book was. Reading it took me back to my childhood, huddling undercover lost in a world of imagination. It’s been a gift to have that feeling again! Also loved the inclusion of Isabella Stewart Gardner. Makes you want to take a trip! Loved, loved, loved this book and would 100% recommend it for the pure joy you get out of reading it. Now I feel like I need to read the Penderwicks.
October 10, 2025
Everyone should read more kids/YA books as adults
December 15, 2025
We absolutely loved this book club pick! Easily one of the best read-alouds of 2025 for us. Learning about the Ladukhan was enchanting and seeing Gwen learn to be loved, as all 11 year olds should be, was so special. ❤️ The kids rated it "one million stars" ⭐
January 16, 2026
How absolutely perfect and wonderful. A modern matilda!
September 23, 2025
I absolutely adored this book and highly recommend the audio version. The narration is magical, bringing the story of Gwen(allison), Pumpkin, and the Lahdukan to life . I'm hoping there will be a book two!
July 9, 2025
Jeanne Birdsall writes the best dogs. Beyond that, there’s so much to love about this book: adventure, overcoming fears, delightful mythical beings, and a little girl finding a place to belong. I loved reading The Penderwicks with my children and I think that they will enjoy this title even more due to its fantastical elements.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s for providing the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s for providing the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 16, 2025
Book Report: The Library of Unruly Treasures
At First Glance: Delightful!
The Gist: A girl finds herself an unlikely hero when she stumbles upon a big secret about little creatures.
My Thoughts: How I wish a young Brittney could have found this on a library shelf… found a cozy corner and curled up with this magical story that I promise will have you viewing the world with your imagination glasses after. I loved the warm welcome Gwen received from her Uncle and his memorable pup pumpkin. Her excitement over the local library her ancestors built and the curiosity of the magic within its walls will sweep you on an adventure that the youth will get lost in and adults will have to actively engage their imaginations to enjoy. This is one I would love to read some kid reviews on!
A Question for Jeanne: If you could go back and give your younger self one book, what would it be?
Thank you Knopf Books For Young Readers
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
At First Glance: Delightful!
The Gist: A girl finds herself an unlikely hero when she stumbles upon a big secret about little creatures.
My Thoughts: How I wish a young Brittney could have found this on a library shelf… found a cozy corner and curled up with this magical story that I promise will have you viewing the world with your imagination glasses after. I loved the warm welcome Gwen received from her Uncle and his memorable pup pumpkin. Her excitement over the local library her ancestors built and the curiosity of the magic within its walls will sweep you on an adventure that the youth will get lost in and adults will have to actively engage their imaginations to enjoy. This is one I would love to read some kid reviews on!
A Question for Jeanne: If you could go back and give your younger self one book, what would it be?
Thank you Knopf Books For Young Readers
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
August 2, 2025
Eleven-year-old Gwen finds herself thrust into the care of her great-uncle Matthew, a stranger to her. Neglected as she is by her divorced parents, she quickly warms up to Uncle Matthew's love and kindness. As she settles into her visit, she discovers that the children in town under the age of six can all see the Lahdukan, a fairy-like folk living in the local library. Gwen learns that her role for the Lahdukan is an important one and tries to rise to the challenge of being seen for the first time in her life.
My classroom library is for readers in grades 5 to 8, and Birdsall's tale is definitely at the lower end of that range. This book would probably be most loved by students in grades 3 to 5 who are enchanted by the magical world of The Borrowers and the found family theme of Matilda. I don't read many books that I would recommend to third or fourth graders, but this one will be a favorite when those students come asking.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the digital ARC.
My classroom library is for readers in grades 5 to 8, and Birdsall's tale is definitely at the lower end of that range. This book would probably be most loved by students in grades 3 to 5 who are enchanted by the magical world of The Borrowers and the found family theme of Matilda. I don't read many books that I would recommend to third or fourth graders, but this one will be a favorite when those students come asking.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the digital ARC.
August 25, 2025
Firstly, this is not the Penderwicks and is a different genre altogether. However, the characters and writing are top notch like the Penderwicks and you can rest assured I cried at the end.
My only hesitation in recommending this book to everyone (because I think everyone should read it) is the ritual Gwen goes through to become the Qalba. She essentially just promises to be a good protector of the clans (there’s no blood sacrifices or any kind of witch crafty things going on), but in doing so she hears the voices of all the previous Qalba until she tells them to be quiet. She is then told they won’t bother her again. It’s a weird little thing within the story that may make some parent’s uncomfortable.
I absolutely adored this book though and I think everyone should read it!
My only hesitation in recommending this book to everyone (because I think everyone should read it) is the ritual Gwen goes through to become the Qalba. She essentially just promises to be a good protector of the clans (there’s no blood sacrifices or any kind of witch crafty things going on), but in doing so she hears the voices of all the previous Qalba until she tells them to be quiet. She is then told they won’t bother her again. It’s a weird little thing within the story that may make some parent’s uncomfortable.
I absolutely adored this book though and I think everyone should read it!
August 19, 2025
4.5/5
Thank you @prhaudio @knopfyoungreaders #partner for the gifted copies of this book.
Oh my goodness! Middle grade books lately have been knocking it out of the park, and The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall is another total winner in my eyes!
We meet Gwen, a young girl with the worst parents. Seriously, they ignore her, don’t put her first, and basically suck all the happy juice right out of her. Thankfully, she ends up staying with her Uncle Matthew… who is, without a doubt, the most huggable, sweet man ever. He shows Gwen exactly how life should be lived.
During her stay, Gwen pops into the local library and stumbles across some little winged creatures that only kids can see. They just know she’s the one to help them find a new home. Gwen’s journey is part magical adventure, part confidence-building, and 100% heartwarming.
I adored this story. It’s brimming with magic, fantasy, found family, kindness, adventure, and self-growth. And Uncle Matthew? He completely stole my heart. Loved their endearing relationship. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, charming, and full of wonder, you need to add this one to your shelf. 💛✨
Thank you @prhaudio @knopfyoungreaders #partner for the gifted copies of this book.
Oh my goodness! Middle grade books lately have been knocking it out of the park, and The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall is another total winner in my eyes!
We meet Gwen, a young girl with the worst parents. Seriously, they ignore her, don’t put her first, and basically suck all the happy juice right out of her. Thankfully, she ends up staying with her Uncle Matthew… who is, without a doubt, the most huggable, sweet man ever. He shows Gwen exactly how life should be lived.
During her stay, Gwen pops into the local library and stumbles across some little winged creatures that only kids can see. They just know she’s the one to help them find a new home. Gwen’s journey is part magical adventure, part confidence-building, and 100% heartwarming.
I adored this story. It’s brimming with magic, fantasy, found family, kindness, adventure, and self-growth. And Uncle Matthew? He completely stole my heart. Loved their endearing relationship. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, charming, and full of wonder, you need to add this one to your shelf. 💛✨
August 11, 2025
This was a delightful book to listen to! As a fan of realistic fiction more than fantasy, I liked the combination of both genres in this book, although the story of Gwen being dumped at her great-uncle's house was more compelling to me than the story of the Lahdukan. This book would be great for upper elementary students and lower middle schoolers.
September 17, 2025
I only kept reading this book because I was in Gwen’s corner, “ cheering her on”, along with her kind and gentle Uncle Matthew and his dog, Pumpkin. The whole plot was strange and not believable to me… I am not a fan of unrealistic storylines and characters.
January 21, 2026
This was just a cute, solid kids read! I love Uncle Matthew and his unguarded willingness to love and fight for Gwen. Such a sweet "found family" with the perfect fantasy element! I listened to this but now it's definitely on my "books to buy Margo" list! ❤️
February 1, 2026
An unloved/unwanted child gets shipped off to her unknown uncle for two weeks. At Uncle Matthew’s house, Gwen discovers what it feels like to be wanted, to make friends, to have a crush on a boy, and to be tasked with protecting the fantastical Lahdukan. Will her parents ruin this for her and sabotage her chance to be heroic and happy?
September 18, 2025
Another delightful book by JB; loved the ending!
December 3, 2025
Fun fantasy with small winged creatures, that helps to teach compassion toward others
January 11, 2026
It was amazing and creative! This was a super fun and awesome book to read
January 25, 2026
The first tragedy of my reading year is that I did not enjoy this! So bummed out. I love the Penderwicks and I was psyched to pick this up - but the fantasy elements did not work for me at all. All the made-up words felt like....made-up words. It felt too forced to me, and I just could not make that suspension of disbelief happen. Everything with Gwen's uncle and cousin felt rushed, too. Sad face. :(
August 7, 2025
this was so cute
August 9, 2025
Middle grade fantasy. Some of the characters names are going to be hard to pronounce but if you do the audio like I did then you won’t have to worry about that.
September 22, 2025
Upbeat | Libraries | Magic (Appeal terms from NoveList) - Hilary
October 14, 2025
Fantastic realistic fairy troop fantasy adventure—phew! that’s a mouthful! 11-year-old Gwen can see the fairies who live in the library but most kids lose the ability to see them around age six. She must decide if she’ll take on a special fairy mission to save not one but two fairy clans facing destruction. But are they really real? Read this great middle grade novel to find out.
November 8, 2025
70 pages in and this gets my vote for Newbery!
Gwen MacKinnon's family life has been -- terrible. Her mother and father are divorced and truthfully? Neither one really loves her. Her mom has just gone off to Costa Rica with her new boyfriend and Gwen definitely did not want to go with them. So it is time for her to go to her dad's in Chicago - but his housing situation is precarious since he just ended his third marriage. Instead, Gwen heads to her Great-Uncle Matthew's house, near Boston, for a two week visit while her dad finds a new place to live. She has never met her Great-Uncle Matthew and really has no idea what to expect. She doesn't really think anything can be worse than her parents. Fortunately he is thrilled to have Gwen visit - and bonus! - he has a wonderful dog named Pumpkin.
The real adventure begins when Gwen goes to the local library. Which was built by one of her ancestors! The library is home to the MacKinnon clan of Lahdukan, a race of small, winged people (definitely NOT fairies!) with turquoise hair. Readers are briefly introduced to the Lahdukan at the beginning of the story by the aforementioned ancestor, Charlotte MacKinnon. She is the guardian of her group of Lahdukan but her brother is planning to uproot the family from Scotland and move them all to America. Fortunately, the Lahdukan agree to go with Charlotte and the library is built in part to keep them safe and provide a home for them.
But now - just as Gwen is arriving - there is great unrest among the Lahdukan. Normally only small children aged six and under can see the Lahdukan. Once you turn seven, they don't exist. Neither do your lovely memories of the delightful little people. The one exception is the Qalba. And Gwen, apparently, is the new Qalba, protector of the Lahdukan. But how can she be Qalba when she has to leave in just a few weeks?
This was such a delightful story! As many reviewers have noted, it's like being wrapped in a warm hug. Not that there isn't adventure - Gwen's task to protect the Lahdukan comes with life-threatening tasks that must be completed. But she is loved and supported by her new family, her new neighbors, and her new friends.
Gwen MacKinnon's family life has been -- terrible. Her mother and father are divorced and truthfully? Neither one really loves her. Her mom has just gone off to Costa Rica with her new boyfriend and Gwen definitely did not want to go with them. So it is time for her to go to her dad's in Chicago - but his housing situation is precarious since he just ended his third marriage. Instead, Gwen heads to her Great-Uncle Matthew's house, near Boston, for a two week visit while her dad finds a new place to live. She has never met her Great-Uncle Matthew and really has no idea what to expect. She doesn't really think anything can be worse than her parents. Fortunately he is thrilled to have Gwen visit - and bonus! - he has a wonderful dog named Pumpkin.
The real adventure begins when Gwen goes to the local library. Which was built by one of her ancestors! The library is home to the MacKinnon clan of Lahdukan, a race of small, winged people (definitely NOT fairies!) with turquoise hair. Readers are briefly introduced to the Lahdukan at the beginning of the story by the aforementioned ancestor, Charlotte MacKinnon. She is the guardian of her group of Lahdukan but her brother is planning to uproot the family from Scotland and move them all to America. Fortunately, the Lahdukan agree to go with Charlotte and the library is built in part to keep them safe and provide a home for them.
But now - just as Gwen is arriving - there is great unrest among the Lahdukan. Normally only small children aged six and under can see the Lahdukan. Once you turn seven, they don't exist. Neither do your lovely memories of the delightful little people. The one exception is the Qalba. And Gwen, apparently, is the new Qalba, protector of the Lahdukan. But how can she be Qalba when she has to leave in just a few weeks?
This was such a delightful story! As many reviewers have noted, it's like being wrapped in a warm hug. Not that there isn't adventure - Gwen's task to protect the Lahdukan comes with life-threatening tasks that must be completed. But she is loved and supported by her new family, her new neighbors, and her new friends.
September 2, 2025
This didn't quite hit the highs of the Penderwicks series for me, but it is undeniably sweet and it did still make me cry. Birdsall writes both uncaring and terrible adults and wonderful supportive ones very well. And she always has dogs I really love in her books. If there are future books I hope we see more from the Ladhukan point of view. A good recommendation for kids who like the mix of fantasy and realistic fiction.
July 25, 2025
This was such a fun read! Gwen has horrible parents and is sent to live with her uncle for the summer. At the local library she is introduced to the Ladhukan, tiny creatures with wings. I loved everything about this story! There were a lot of Ladhukan characters to keep up with, but that did not detract from the story.
I would recommend this to all grade levels, especially those readers who enjoyed Matilda. It would make a great class read-aloud for younger grades.
Thank you to RandomHouse Children’s and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I would recommend this to all grade levels, especially those readers who enjoyed Matilda. It would make a great class read-aloud for younger grades.
Thank you to RandomHouse Children’s and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 27, 2025
This book reminds me why I didn't really like the Penderwicks. If you really like that series, you will probably like this book as well. But I did sort of like the Penderwicks. They actually had character development. It's just everything that series did wrong, this book did worse.
Overall, the book was engaging, so that's good.
However, the book lacked a real antagonist. The only things were the vague machines and humans who ran them, and then the parents we really didn't see. And maybe the storm? Hard to say. For the most part, we were prancing happily along, everything going our way.
And why have fairies when you can have something even better than faries?! Let's call them Lahdukan (named after a village near Jalalabad? Who knows). And rather than develop relationships, let's just say I love you to each other and pretend we have the deepest connections ever. Wow, I feel like a Qalba already.
Also, the author is somewhat elitist about New England. St. Louis? No, thank you. Dirty, boring city. Needs to be Boston with it's old museum instead. This 'New England is the best place in the world other than real England, and unless you live in one of these places you are either not truly happy or not a really a good person' attitude shows up in other works of hers as well. *sigh*
Lastly, the librarian gives the advice to tilt your head back if you have a nosebleed. The author seems to believe this false information and sends it forward to unsuspecting kids. While this does help stop the bleeding out of the front of your nose, it makes it harder for the blood to clot, and instead blood can go into your throat and cause choking or vomiting. Instead, it is recommended to sit upright, bend your head slightly forward, and pinch your nostrils shut. This will help it to form a clot and heal, and you won't choke on your own blood.
Overall, the book was engaging, so that's good.
However, the book lacked a real antagonist. The only things were the vague machines and humans who ran them, and then the parents we really didn't see. And maybe the storm? Hard to say. For the most part, we were prancing happily along, everything going our way.
And why have fairies when you can have something even better than faries?! Let's call them Lahdukan (named after a village near Jalalabad? Who knows). And rather than develop relationships, let's just say I love you to each other and pretend we have the deepest connections ever. Wow, I feel like a Qalba already.
Also, the author is somewhat elitist about New England. St. Louis? No, thank you. Dirty, boring city. Needs to be Boston with it's old museum instead. This 'New England is the best place in the world other than real England, and unless you live in one of these places you are either not truly happy or not a really a good person' attitude shows up in other works of hers as well. *sigh*
Lastly, the librarian gives the advice to tilt your head back if you have a nosebleed. The author seems to believe this false information and sends it forward to unsuspecting kids. While this does help stop the bleeding out of the front of your nose, it makes it harder for the blood to clot, and instead blood can go into your throat and cause choking or vomiting. Instead, it is recommended to sit upright, bend your head slightly forward, and pinch your nostrils shut. This will help it to form a clot and heal, and you won't choke on your own blood.
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