The Library of Curiosities

by Jenny Lundquist

11-year-old Rowan Fitzgerald discovers the library her estranged grandfather runs is filled with magical objects—but only one holds the key to her family’s mysterious past.

After being expelled from boarding school—again—Rowan isn’t sure what to expect upon arriving at Fitzgerald Manor. But it sure isn’t this.

The estate is opulent. Lush. Grand. Mind-boggling. And at the heart of it all is Cillian Fitzgerald, her enigmatic grandfather, and his pride and the Library of Curiosities.

Now, everyone knows that libraries are the best. But the Library of Curiosities is the best of the best, because its collection contains a vast trove of magical objects from which lucky patrons can borrow to fix their everyday problems. Still stuck on that language arts story assignment? Try writing it on the enchanted typewriter and see if that doesn’t get the words flowing. Hoping to land the lead in the school musical? Check out a wishing sock. (Use high heat to activate.)

It doesn’t take long for Rowan to realize that in this wondrous place, her own problems—her painful want of family, her deep desire for friends—might actually be solved for the first time in her life.

Except.

Except that library curiosities have started going missing, and suspicion is falling squarely on Rowan’s shoulders.

Except that Cillian’s dangerous archenemy, the vengeful and slippery Silverjack, now has Rowan in his sights, too.

Except that there is the ongoing matter of the Everhart curiosity, which hasn’t been seen in years, but if found could help Rowan at last unsnarl her family’s tangled, strange history.

To clear her name, to avoid capture, to locate the Everhart, Rowan will have to fight forces both within and outside of the library that threaten everything she’s only just begun to hold dear.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Juvenile, Adventure, Magic, Childrens

Audible Audio

First published July 22, 2025

About the author

Jenny Lundquist is the author of seven middle grade and young adult titles including Seeing Cinderella and The Charming Life of Izzy Malone, as well as The Princess in the Opal Mask. Like any good California girl, she enjoys wine tasting, parasailing on Lake Tahoe, spontaneous trips to the sea, and wearing too many layers any time she ventures to places where it’s actually cold. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University and lives in Northern California with her family and their rescue pup, Ollie the Wonderdog, who occasionally makes unscheduled appearances at Jenny’s virtual school visits. A typical day in Jenny’s life includes consuming copious amounts of coffee and managing multiple kid and canine distractions while writing about wonder and whimsy in worlds both real and imagined.

Reviews

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Books had always been her friends--usually, the only ones she had. In a book, she was invited to every party, every adventure, every family gathering. Books were never too busy; they were always available to pass an evening with her when she was feeling particularly lonely."

The Library of Curiosities first drew my attention with its title. While I went into it knowing that it wasn’t really a book about books, there’s something about a magical library of any kind that is captivating. Especially in a middle-grade novel, as children’s books tend to lean more heavily into the magic of such a setting instead of sacrificing that premise for plot. Lundquist does a wonderful job of balancing her wonderful setting with a compelling story, one that hinges on the magic of the Library and the wonders it holds.

I was drawn in immediately by the really charming voice and tone, both of which felt exactly right for a middle-grade novel. Rowan Fitzgerald is a wonderful protagonist, one who was easy to love and root for while still being believably flawed. I was immediately taken with her and found her wonderfully sympathetic. And I was just as involved in learning about the Library of her heritage and discovering why she had been held at arm’s length by her grandfather and shipped off to boarding schools ever since the tragic death of her parents. Her yearning for understanding and love and friendship made my heart ache, and I yearned right alongside her. I was also just as captivated by the magical curiosities the Library held, and just as excited to discover more of them through her eyes.

I had a lovely time visiting The Library of Curiosities. It’s exactly the kind of middle-grade story I enjoy the most. While I didn’t develop the kind of deep emotional connection that exemplifies a 5-star read, I had a really good time with it. And I love that it's actually a standalone! If you’re looking for a clean, thoughtful, magical book for a middle-grade reader in your life, The Library of Curiosities should definitely be on your radar.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Rowan Fitzgerald doesn't have much luck with boarding schools, which is too bad, since her grandfather, Cillian, sends her off to them because her parents drowned when she was young. This last time, she has to go and live with him in Glassby Bay, but there's a lot he hasn't told her. Not only does he run a library of magical objects, but he lives in the same building. For the time being, Rowan will be homeschooled and volunteer at the library along with Henry, whose parents are caterers, and Lara, whose mother is head of records for the library. Rowan overhears family secrets being discussed and finds out that the family has an arch nemesis, Jack, who may or may not be responsible for her parents' deaths. There is an artifact called the Everheart that Jack wants, but which no one seems to have any clue about. Rowan gets introduced to some of the items in the library that are loaned out, like wishing socks, books that shrink for traveling, and some magical watering cans that have a few bugs. When objects start to go missing, Rowan is blamed, and must find out who is stealing from her family. Since her grandfather wants to send her back to boarding school to keep her safe, she doesn't have a lot of time. Will she be able to find out what the Everheart is, locate it, and keep Jack from destroying her family?

This reminded me a bit of Bell's The Crooked Sixpence, Magoon's The Secret Library, or Hannibal's The Lost Property Office , and was very similar to Shulman's 2010 The Grimm Legacy. There are plenty of fun magical things, and this seemed like a magical academy tales even though Rowan was homeschooled. The plot depended largely on Silverjack's backstory, but I wasn't as interested in that part of the narrative. I wanted to see more of Rowan, Henry, and Lara's exploits.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cool concept! The way the notes were written made it even more engaging. And the cover fit the book so well. I wish they had a real library of curiosities- though libraries carrying realia certainly work.

[MikaReadsFantasy]

DNF @ 50 %

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommend for those 3rd grade and up, their parents, and those of us who need something light with a mystery and a twist of the supernaturally fantastic

[Michael Doane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Lundquist’s The Library of Curiosities is a luminous middle-grade adventure that blends magic, mystery, and heartfelt emotion into a story that feels both timeless and fresh. Through the eyes of eleven year old Rowan Fitzgerald, readers step into a world where libraries do more than house books they hold wonders capable of reshaping lives.

Lundquist excels at creating a setting that feels alive. The Library of Curiosities is imaginative and inviting, filled with enchanted objects that spark possibility while hinting at hidden danger. Yet the true strength of the novel lies in Rowan herself a lonely, resilient girl searching for belonging. Her longing for family and friendship grounds the fantastical elements in genuine emotional truth.

With its brisk pacing, warm humor, and gentle exploration of trust and identity, The Library of Curiosities captures the classic magic of children’s literature while speaking directly to modern readers. It’s a story about courage, home, and the belief that even the most tangled past can be rewritten perfect for young readers who still want to believe that wonder might be waiting on the next shelf.

[Alexis Kressner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowan, an eleven-year-old girl, has been kicked out of yet another boarding school. This time, she’s sent to live with her grandfather—who works and lives in a mysterious library Rowan has begged for years to see.

The catch? The library has no books.

Instead, it houses magical objects called curiosities, each with unique properties. These curiosities are loaned to patrons under strict conditions: they must be used for good only. When curiosities begin to disappear and things start going very wrong, suspicion quickly falls on Rowan—the resident “troublemaker.”

Running beneath the mystery is an emotional thread surrounding Rowan’s parents’ accidental deaths and her deep, aching desire for her grandfather to want her and trust her. Her behavior makes sense when viewed through the lens of grief, displacement, and the need to belong.

This was an excellent five-star middle grade read. I loved the encouragement to keep believing in magic, the non-normative family structure, and especially the perspective of a kid labeled as “bad” who really just wants a safe place to call home. Strong writing, real emotional pull, and I sincerely hope there’s a sequel.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine if your parents died suddenly, drowning on a boat in a terrible storm, and the only family you have is a grandfather who owns and runs a "Library of Curiosities". However, he doesn't bring you to him, but sends you off to boarding school after boarding school, after, because of your own "curious" nature, you keep getting kicked out. This is young Rowan, a spunky girl whose story by Jenny Lundquist will bring readers to imagining their own adventures and questions. What would they do if they were Rowan? Those curiosities are "checked" out by many customers, and as Rowan is invited, finally, back to see what this library is all about, to spend a time with her grandfather, the truth of what's happening comes out. There is this shadow that first appears, a nemesis that has lost his family with a trick of time travel, and he blames Rowan's grandfather for it, and means to have his revenge. What an adventure to dig into, to wonder what you would do, if. . . I enjoyed it very much.
Thanks to Holiday House Publishing, Inc. for my copy!

[Sarah Mahieu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was enchanting!! Rowan Fitzgerald is a lonely girl who doesn't seem to fit in anywhere. When she gets kicked out of the latest boarding school she is in, she ends up living with her grandfather (who has been keeping secrets from her ever since her parents died) at Fitzgerald Manor. In a series of adventures and encounters, she begins to unravel the mysteries of her past while also experiencing the wonders of the Library of Curiosities where she begins to intern as a volunteer for her grandfather.

This story is filled with intriguing, magical scenes that I could just picture happening in my mind. It had me hooked, and I couldn't put it down! I felt like I was a kid again as I was reading it-- it gave me feelings similar to watching Wonka and Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I also loved the themes of friendship and family. This one is definitely worth a read!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her parents died in a boating accident, Rowan’s grandfather shipped her off to boarding school. Or rather, boarding schools, as Rowan’s keen sense of curiosity seems to always lead to expulsion. Her grandfather has been keeping her family’s heritage a secret – he is in charge of a library of curiosities, or magical objects, that she is expected to take over one day. He also hasn’t told her about her family’s mortal enemy Silverjack. A fast-paced magical story will have readers rooting for Rowan as she sticks up for herself. The library is fascinating and contains a talking cat, magical “air” ice skates, objects that find lost items, and much more.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to audiobook. Harry Potter-esque fantasy where Rowan’s parents have died and her grandfather keeps her at arms length. When she arrives for the holidays, having been expelled from yet another boarding school, she is shocked to learn that magic is real, that her grandfather runs a lending library of magical artifacts, and that a sinister character has been threatening the family for generations. I found the plot and magical world and villain and main character all a bit too meh.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I think it is Jenny Lundquist’s best book yet! Her words create a magical world you feel like you are a part of. I loved her descriptions, the magical objects, the cast of characters especially FP and the entire story. I loved the mystery trying to figure out the family’s past. It was intriguing and a definite page turner.

[Tirzah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A library loaning out magical items is a creative concept. I enjoyed the story and recommend to late elementary and middle school fantasy readers. The cover art was what caught my intitial interest - specifically the silhouette, giving off a film noirish vibe but for kids.

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

the story was building and building so nicely for about the first half of the book, then it felt repetitive and never seemed to reach an expected exciting climax. the book just seemed to quickly resolve and end. based on the ending i think there must be another book expected (?)

[Mary Hanna Wilson | Celebrate a Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not 100% why this didn't hit well for me - could be my mindset while trying to read or it could be the story. It was a fun concept but didn't draw me in the way a book in this genre usually does.

[Jenny Lundquist]

Advance Review Copies of The Library of Curiosities are now available over at Edelweiss! Happy Reading!

[Adria Goetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whimsical, magical middle grade novel of my dreams ✨

[Carla Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully unique story that kept me engaged from beginning to end! Heartfelt, and magical, with engaging characters and vivid imagery. I loved it!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a keeper!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can think of a few middle schoolers who will enjoy this.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt and magical book! I loved the characters and all the magical curiosities! This book kept me engaged from beginning till end!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent fun book

[Allison Turkish]

Did not finish. I found it boring.

[JoAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun youth book.

[Diana Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whimsical with a fun, creative premise!

[Riya Axelsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book! Makes you want to visit the library of curiosities.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most interesting and original novels I have come across so far this year.