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The Ninja Librarians #2
Sword in the Stacks
As the newest apprentices to Petrarch's Library, Dorrie and her brother are determined to help search for the missing key that could destroy their beloved Library. On a training mission to England 1912, Dorrie sees her chance to help. All she needs to do is get close to a lord with a connection to the Lybrarians' enemy - the Stronghold. If Dorrie can earn the lord's trust, she might be able to get the Lybrariad just what they've been searching for. But if she arouses his suspicion, she could lead the Strongholders right to Petrarch's Library... and everyone she cares about.
Audio CD
First published April 7, 2015
12 people are currently reading
676 people want to read
About the author
Jen Swann Downey
4 books64 followers Jen Swann Downey's non-fiction pieces have appeared in New York Magazine, the Washington Post, Women's Day, and other publications. She is the author of the middle-grade novels, THE NINJA LIBRARIANS: THE ACCIDENTAL KEYHAND (Sourcebooks 2014) and THE NINJA LIBRARIANS: SWORD IN THE STACKS (Sourcebooks 2016).
So far in life, Jen has learned how to fail at growing broccoli, dismount a horse by sliding down its neck, and eat a piece of coconut pie with maximum possible pleasure, if not tidiness. She will be forever haunted by that post-apocalyptic episode of Twilight Zone in which the dude finally has the time to read all the books he wants, but then accidentally steps on his eyeglasses. Aaaaaauuuuugggghhhh!
Jen is hard at a work on the THIRD book in the NINJA LIBRARIANS series. She will never stop looking for lickable wallpaper.
So far in life, Jen has learned how to fail at growing broccoli, dismount a horse by sliding down its neck, and eat a piece of coconut pie with maximum possible pleasure, if not tidiness. She will be forever haunted by that post-apocalyptic episode of Twilight Zone in which the dude finally has the time to read all the books he wants, but then accidentally steps on his eyeglasses. Aaaaaauuuuugggghhhh!
Jen is hard at a work on the THIRD book in the NINJA LIBRARIANS series. She will never stop looking for lickable wallpaper.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 20, 2017
'Sword in the Stacks' is the second book in the Ninja Librarians series by Jen Swann Downey. It's a series about kids on adventures in a series of libraries that can take people into the past.
Dorrie and Marcus are home safe from their last adventure when they get some strange visitors and an interesting invitation. They are invited to go to Petrarch's Library for the Summer Quarter. Their parents seem a bit oblivious to any danger that the library might hold or even leaving their kids in the hands of these strangers, so they agree.
The story mainly follows Dorrie as she makes friends, takes classes and discovers the mysteries surrounding what the bad guys, known as The Foundation, are up to.
I didn't read the first book, but I felt like I was given enough information to follow along just fine, but I'm still not really sure why the series is called The Ninja Librarians since they are not ninjas and the title they use is lybrarian. As far as young reader adventures go, its ok. Nothing spectacular, but nothing too terrible either.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Dorrie and Marcus are home safe from their last adventure when they get some strange visitors and an interesting invitation. They are invited to go to Petrarch's Library for the Summer Quarter. Their parents seem a bit oblivious to any danger that the library might hold or even leaving their kids in the hands of these strangers, so they agree.
The story mainly follows Dorrie as she makes friends, takes classes and discovers the mysteries surrounding what the bad guys, known as The Foundation, are up to.
I didn't read the first book, but I felt like I was given enough information to follow along just fine, but I'm still not really sure why the series is called The Ninja Librarians since they are not ninjas and the title they use is lybrarian. As far as young reader adventures go, its ok. Nothing spectacular, but nothing too terrible either.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
October 14, 2016
Dorrie and Marcus are delighted to be back in Petrarch's Library, as welcome apprentices this time. But things aren't going as well for the Lyrariad as they would have hoped, and Dorrie feels partially responsible, since she and Marcus lost the page from the History of Histories that may lead the Foundation to change the past in seriously dangerous ways. But in-between worrying about the Foundation's activities, Dorrie and her friends focus on learning from their classes. Dorrie and her friends also discover a new ghost library where they work on helping Marcus and Dorrie fix past mistakes and make plans for stopping the Foundation's latest plot. The thing that I like about this series is the way that historical characters and events are blended into the story. For example, for one class, Dorrie and Ebba are assigned to help protect the efforts of an anti-suffrage group who they heartily disagree with when they would much rather help the suffragist they befriend along the way. Can they find a way to do both? I also love the idea of Lyrarians out in the world protecting free speech/intellectual freedom. This is a fun series for children who love unusual libraries. This is along the same lines as Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, except with more serious themes and sword play.
July 14, 2016
Thanks, NetGalley! They provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Check out the original review on blog.
I'm very happy to say I was NOT disappointed in this sequel.
Let me explain. I've been obsessing over the first book in this series for almost two years, and when a reader obsesses like that -thinking back on all the great moments, good story, and fun characters- that same reader might possibly unintentionally set that book on a pedestal that the sequel just can't compete with.
With that first book on a pedestal or not, Sword in the Stacks was magnificent.
Picking up pretty much where we left off, Dorrie and Marcus must convince their parents to allow them to apprentice with the time-hopping, evil-fighting, censorship-opposing Lybrarians out to save the world -one piece of writing at a time.
Not only is this sequel magnificent, I might actually like it better than the original. Aside from the great story it tells -the daring adventures! the madcap run-ins with famous historical figures! the inevitable breaking of rules and general child-hero mayhem!- it really delves into a side of Librarianship that's important to understand: A complete lack of censorship.
Ever since discovering the series, I wondered how Downey was going to handle this specific aspect of her concept. The idea of the world-saving Lybrariad is that these heroic Lybrarians travel through time trying to save endangered writings and/or authors, whether from destruction, censorship, or death. This is fantastic when a Lybrarian saves an essay on human kindness or a book on anti-slavery, but what about works that hold disagreeable or downright horrible ideas? Downey jumped right in to address the Lybrariad's stance and I feel much more comfortable in this world now, knowing that there isn't any agenda-pushing going on here; instead, the Lybrarians of Petrach's Library -while themselves cannot be unbiased- strive to protect all writings despite their bias. This is, understandably, a tricky concept to portray, especially in middle grade, but Downey handled it with considerable tact and grace -plus she twisted it into another of her lovable madcap adventures!
(I keep using the word 'madcap', I know. Pretty sure that's an effect of the secret room that Dorrie, Ebba, and Marcus find, and the fact that they dub it the 'Scooby-Doo library'.)
There was one other thing I longed to see in this book and my wish was granted.
We get to learn a little more about Millie. In the first book, she was the snotty brat who gave Dorrie such a hard time on her last visit to the Lybrariad, also implying that Dorrie wasn't good enough to qualify as an apprentice on her own merit. Once we found out she was the daughter of the Lybrariad's head of security, I've been dying to know more about her! There's the obvious 'mean girl' conflict here, but what I found most intriguing about it is Dorrie's stubborn desire to win Millie over. Instead of letting Millie bait her into fighting, or giving her the cold-shoulder in turn, Dorrie is determined to make friends with Millie, whether Millie likes it or not. Even in the first book, I found this adorable and refreshing, and I liked seeing more of this genuine kindness in Dorrie's character. I look forward to seeing where Downey will take these characters next.
Speaking of characters, I must admit my disappointment at Marcus. As fun as he remains in the sequel, and still as true to character, not a single Star Wars quote passed his lips. Not. A. Single. One. He's the same Marcus we know and love, up to his old shenanigans, he's just got some different obsessions now. Teenagers, right?
Last, but not least, concerning our favorite Lybrarian: Much as I love Hercule-Savinien de Cyran de Bergerac -with his expert swordsmanship, magnificent schnoz, fantastically ridiculous name, and swoon-worthy vocabulary- I enjoyed seeing Dorrie cope through most of the adventure without him. With the Lybrariad working double-time to solve the mysteries of the Foundation's return, most of their Lybrarians are hunting down clues, including her beloved Savi. And who does Dorrie wind up working with? Well, I won't spoil that. But this unexpected change in mentors forces Dorrie to face her disappointment, some of her self-doubt, and preconceived notions. Again, I adore Savi, not only because he's awesome, but because he's also a wise and patient mentor to Dorrie, but I liked that Dorrie has a chance to work with others, to maybe realize that she doesn't have to rely on just one mentor. I also think it taught her to rely a little more on herself.
To sum up? Another fantastic, hilarious adventure, with plenty of drama and intrigue -high stakes! high seas!- and good lessons learned all around.
The Ninja Librarians is a glorious mix of time travel, historical fiction, and the "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" game I loved as a child -this series knows no bounds!
I see kids all the time at my library devouring Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Treehouse books and I can't wait until their old enough I can switch them over to these.
[Dorrie's father] "Where did you meet these people?"
"In a dark alley," said Marcus. "They leaned out of a van and offered us a candy."
"He's kidding, he's kidding!" cried Dorrie.
Seriously, I adore Marcus!
Check out the original review on blog.
I'm very happy to say I was NOT disappointed in this sequel.
Let me explain. I've been obsessing over the first book in this series for almost two years, and when a reader obsesses like that -thinking back on all the great moments, good story, and fun characters- that same reader might possibly unintentionally set that book on a pedestal that the sequel just can't compete with.
With that first book on a pedestal or not, Sword in the Stacks was magnificent.
Picking up pretty much where we left off, Dorrie and Marcus must convince their parents to allow them to apprentice with the time-hopping, evil-fighting, censorship-opposing Lybrarians out to save the world -one piece of writing at a time.
Not only is this sequel magnificent, I might actually like it better than the original. Aside from the great story it tells -the daring adventures! the madcap run-ins with famous historical figures! the inevitable breaking of rules and general child-hero mayhem!- it really delves into a side of Librarianship that's important to understand: A complete lack of censorship.
Ever since discovering the series, I wondered how Downey was going to handle this specific aspect of her concept. The idea of the world-saving Lybrariad is that these heroic Lybrarians travel through time trying to save endangered writings and/or authors, whether from destruction, censorship, or death. This is fantastic when a Lybrarian saves an essay on human kindness or a book on anti-slavery, but what about works that hold disagreeable or downright horrible ideas? Downey jumped right in to address the Lybrariad's stance and I feel much more comfortable in this world now, knowing that there isn't any agenda-pushing going on here; instead, the Lybrarians of Petrach's Library -while themselves cannot be unbiased- strive to protect all writings despite their bias. This is, understandably, a tricky concept to portray, especially in middle grade, but Downey handled it with considerable tact and grace -plus she twisted it into another of her lovable madcap adventures!
(I keep using the word 'madcap', I know. Pretty sure that's an effect of the secret room that Dorrie, Ebba, and Marcus find, and the fact that they dub it the 'Scooby-Doo library'.)
There was one other thing I longed to see in this book and my wish was granted.
We get to learn a little more about Millie. In the first book, she was the snotty brat who gave Dorrie such a hard time on her last visit to the Lybrariad, also implying that Dorrie wasn't good enough to qualify as an apprentice on her own merit. Once we found out she was the daughter of the Lybrariad's head of security, I've been dying to know more about her! There's the obvious 'mean girl' conflict here, but what I found most intriguing about it is Dorrie's stubborn desire to win Millie over. Instead of letting Millie bait her into fighting, or giving her the cold-shoulder in turn, Dorrie is determined to make friends with Millie, whether Millie likes it or not. Even in the first book, I found this adorable and refreshing, and I liked seeing more of this genuine kindness in Dorrie's character. I look forward to seeing where Downey will take these characters next.
Speaking of characters, I must admit my disappointment at Marcus. As fun as he remains in the sequel, and still as true to character, not a single Star Wars quote passed his lips. Not. A. Single. One. He's the same Marcus we know and love, up to his old shenanigans, he's just got some different obsessions now. Teenagers, right?
Last, but not least, concerning our favorite Lybrarian: Much as I love Hercule-Savinien de Cyran de Bergerac -with his expert swordsmanship, magnificent schnoz, fantastically ridiculous name, and swoon-worthy vocabulary- I enjoyed seeing Dorrie cope through most of the adventure without him. With the Lybrariad working double-time to solve the mysteries of the Foundation's return, most of their Lybrarians are hunting down clues, including her beloved Savi. And who does Dorrie wind up working with? Well, I won't spoil that. But this unexpected change in mentors forces Dorrie to face her disappointment, some of her self-doubt, and preconceived notions. Again, I adore Savi, not only because he's awesome, but because he's also a wise and patient mentor to Dorrie, but I liked that Dorrie has a chance to work with others, to maybe realize that she doesn't have to rely on just one mentor. I also think it taught her to rely a little more on herself.
To sum up? Another fantastic, hilarious adventure, with plenty of drama and intrigue -high stakes! high seas!- and good lessons learned all around.
The Ninja Librarians is a glorious mix of time travel, historical fiction, and the "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" game I loved as a child -this series knows no bounds!
I see kids all the time at my library devouring Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Treehouse books and I can't wait until their old enough I can switch them over to these.
[Dorrie's father] "Where did you meet these people?"
"In a dark alley," said Marcus. "They leaned out of a van and offered us a candy."
"He's kidding, he's kidding!" cried Dorrie.
Seriously, I adore Marcus!
April 26, 2016
Full review here: http://tinyurl.com/h7a9qqu
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Overall, this is a cute book for middle grade readers (grades 5 thru 8). There is a great sense of adventure and mystery plus a good deal of humor which will appeal to many young readers. Any history buff or library lover will get a kick out of the premise.
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Overall, this is a cute book for middle grade readers (grades 5 thru 8). There is a great sense of adventure and mystery plus a good deal of humor which will appeal to many young readers. Any history buff or library lover will get a kick out of the premise.
November 2, 2016
This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and that has not altered my opinion in anyway.
I am surprised to say that this book was excellent as far as sequels go. I’m not usually one for sequels, usually I don’t go for them much at all, but this one was so well done and a quick read…once I had sit down time. This book starts off not long after the last one ended. This time it starts with the Lybrarians visiting Dorrie and Marcus at their house to inform them that they in fact will be coming back as apprentices this year after nearly destroying everything before when they accidentally ended up in the Lybrary. While the two are excited to come back for their apprenticeships there’s still a lot that they have to make up for and with the Foundation becoming an even bigger threat, Dorrie, Marcus, and their friends must work together to figure out what they are planning while still attending classes and practicums and going on small missions of their own.
Basically this book took me back to being a twelve year old, engrossed in an adventure complete with sword fighting, potions, magical creatures (creatures made of magic like stuff?), and time travel. Seriously, this series has my attention and I am loving it so much. There is extreme character development in mostly Dorrie and, surprisingly, Millie. Dorrie is feeling the pressure of her mistake from her and Marcus’ first visit to the Lybrary, and when she ends up apprenticed with the last person she would expect, the bond she ends up forming with them is quite adorable and awesome! Millie turns into a person I had not expected (leaving it there to avoid spoilers). But I did feel as though Marcus got forgotten in this book a little, just as though he would appear every so often and Ebba almost took his place as Dorris’s partner in crime.
We traveled to more worlds and met new Lybrarians and the connections to all the different aspects of each detail was amazing! Down to my favorite part of this book: the Scooby Doo library!! It’s two of my favorite things combined! From this mischievous mini library to pulling camels out of books and riding them across a desert, this book has the adventure you would want in any middle grade ninja librarian book!
I really can’t wait to see where Jen Swann Downey takes the next book (there will be another right??) and where our apprentices end up next quarter. Four point five beans out of five from me!
I am surprised to say that this book was excellent as far as sequels go. I’m not usually one for sequels, usually I don’t go for them much at all, but this one was so well done and a quick read…once I had sit down time. This book starts off not long after the last one ended. This time it starts with the Lybrarians visiting Dorrie and Marcus at their house to inform them that they in fact will be coming back as apprentices this year after nearly destroying everything before when they accidentally ended up in the Lybrary. While the two are excited to come back for their apprenticeships there’s still a lot that they have to make up for and with the Foundation becoming an even bigger threat, Dorrie, Marcus, and their friends must work together to figure out what they are planning while still attending classes and practicums and going on small missions of their own.
Basically this book took me back to being a twelve year old, engrossed in an adventure complete with sword fighting, potions, magical creatures (creatures made of magic like stuff?), and time travel. Seriously, this series has my attention and I am loving it so much. There is extreme character development in mostly Dorrie and, surprisingly, Millie. Dorrie is feeling the pressure of her mistake from her and Marcus’ first visit to the Lybrary, and when she ends up apprenticed with the last person she would expect, the bond she ends up forming with them is quite adorable and awesome! Millie turns into a person I had not expected (leaving it there to avoid spoilers). But I did feel as though Marcus got forgotten in this book a little, just as though he would appear every so often and Ebba almost took his place as Dorris’s partner in crime.
We traveled to more worlds and met new Lybrarians and the connections to all the different aspects of each detail was amazing! Down to my favorite part of this book: the Scooby Doo library!! It’s two of my favorite things combined! From this mischievous mini library to pulling camels out of books and riding them across a desert, this book has the adventure you would want in any middle grade ninja librarian book!
I really can’t wait to see where Jen Swann Downey takes the next book (there will be another right??) and where our apprentices end up next quarter. Four point five beans out of five from me!
January 28, 2017
In this, the second in "The Ninja Librarians" series, 12-year-old Dorrie and her brother are now apprentice librarians. These are not your book-shelfing type of librarians, however. they travel through time, through library portals, to protect freedom of speech. Classes can be interesting, and assignments challenging, especially when you have to protect speech you disagree with. Dorrie, however, has bigger fish to fry. Due to a mistake she made the past may be changed and someone at Petrarch's library may die. Can she put things right? Only by risking everything. This is a fun, engaging, adventure series that you don't have to be a librarian to enjoy.
May 4, 2018
What not to like? Adventure, time travel, librarians with swords fighting off nasty Foundation baddies. Unfortunately, I started this and then it ended up being buried in my reading pile. I am very glad that I excavated this from the pile and finished this fast moving adventure that flashes from New Jersey to Petrarch's library to Victorian England and spends time in early Athens and Timbuktu. Dorrie and Marcus along with other apprentice Lybrarians in frustrating Mr. Biggs by discovering what Winn's Gift actually is and keeping history in line. Now, I just need to read the 1st volume and see if more tales have been printed.
September 14, 2017
The Ninja Librarians are back! (Or Librarians with a y if you prefer)
I still both like and dislike Dorrie. She's impulsive and at times, selfish, but to me, that lends authenticity to her age in the books. Marcus is just as charming as ever and as ridiculous. Ebba, Millie, and the whole gang are back as well and it's delightful to see them all.
Our heroes face some large tests in this volume, but they rise to the challenge even if at first they don't succeed.
I look forward to more books in the series.
I still both like and dislike Dorrie. She's impulsive and at times, selfish, but to me, that lends authenticity to her age in the books. Marcus is just as charming as ever and as ridiculous. Ebba, Millie, and the whole gang are back as well and it's delightful to see them all.
Our heroes face some large tests in this volume, but they rise to the challenge even if at first they don't succeed.
I look forward to more books in the series.
December 28, 2018
I loved the premise of this book, but I just couldn't connect with it. Maybe it was the writing I didn't especially like.
December 27, 2021
A worthy sequel! Now I wish there were more to read in this series!
March 22, 2025
It is an interesting set up for the book but the mixing of Middle Grade fallacy and Forced Modern Ethics drove me up the wall.
January 30, 2017
A delightful series, with time travel, sword fights, and lots of books.
August 1, 2017
This is a super interesting look at librarians and the underworld of super heroes. Well if you think that librarians can be super heroes, which I personally do. It is intended for I would say middle school age kids, but I still enjoyed it. There is some information in it that wouldn't be relatable for middle schoolers but for adults it would make more sense.
October 10, 2016
In SWORD IN THE STACKS, Dorrie and Marcus are back at Petrarch’s Library , this time as official apprentices with mom and dad’s approval. And between choosing among all those interesting courses and old mistakes catching up with them, excitement isn’t in short supply. On top of that, Dorrie and her best friend Ebba are sent on their first mission to protect free speech - only it's not the mission they expected.
This is the sequel to THE ACCIDENTAL KEYHAND.
This is the sequel to THE ACCIDENTAL KEYHAND.
June 6, 2016
Those who have visited my library know that I am a fan of this series, I even have the "Is Your Librarian a Secret Ninja?" poster on display in the fiction section. For those who haven't encountered this series before, let's just point out that the title says it all. Ninja. Librarians.
This time around, Dorrie and Marcus return to Petrarch's Library to continue their training as apprentice Lybrarians. There is a little difficulty actually reaching the portal (something about being banned from their hometown library, breaking in, getting caught in the act...). Once they arrive, they are able to turn in their requests for mentors and practicum courses. Besides the hostility from Millie and her friend Izel that Dorrie has come to expect, there is also disagreement between the senior Lybrarians about the best course to take. Some want more missions sent out to find the Foundation's stronghold and prevent them from tampering with history. Others insist that the ends justify the means and that physical coercion should be used on the prisoner, Mr. Biggs, and force him to give them information on the Foundation.
Between planning with Ebba for their Principles of Lybrarianship training mission, doing the assigned readings, taking a field trip to Tyre in 327 BCE, practicing her sword work with Savi, and assisting the Archivist in organizing mission reports, Dorrie stays very busy. But that doesn't stop her from worrying about the page from the History of Histories that the Foundation has acquired, or their plans to disrupt key missions, or the rumor that one particular disruption would mean the death of someone in Petrarch's Library. Marcus has his own worries. His crush, Egeria, has a boyfriend that Marcus didn't know about. A drummer he met while he and Dorrie were in Athens is being charged with serious crimes and Marcus wants to save him. Even Ebba is distracted with an upcoming trip she and her Lybrarian parents are planning. Can a few apprentices with plenty on their plates actually solve the problems that their teachers can't? You'll have to read to find out.
Besides the mystery and adventure of the story, I also enjoy the humor. Some of my favorite moments from this book are times that Marcus quotes from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." As he, Dorrie, and Ebba are traveling through a dark cave, he sings, "There's no earthly way of knowing, which direction we are going." When they hear the ceiling above them cracking, he quips, "The suspense is terrible. I hope it lasts." And when someone asks why anyone would ever help the Foundation, he suggests they are doing it for "a lifetime supply of chocolate?" When he's not riffing on Roald Dahl, he is also very amusing when he tries to drown his heartache in large amounts of baklava.
There are also serious themes worked into the book. The girls learn about how important it is to let both sides of a cause have their say, even when you disagree with what is being said. (That part actually reminded me of the scene in "The American President" when Michael Douglas addresses the media and talks about the Constitution and Bill of Rights giving everyone the right to freedom of speech.) There is also the debate on whether the ends justify the means. If you do bad things for a good cause, can your cause remain good? And Dorrie learns a very good lesson about facing fear and not letting it take over.
Altogether a wonderful second adventure for the characters. Each of them learn and grow, even the adults. And there are still plenty of opportunities for future missions as their training and the series continue.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
This time around, Dorrie and Marcus return to Petrarch's Library to continue their training as apprentice Lybrarians. There is a little difficulty actually reaching the portal (something about being banned from their hometown library, breaking in, getting caught in the act...). Once they arrive, they are able to turn in their requests for mentors and practicum courses. Besides the hostility from Millie and her friend Izel that Dorrie has come to expect, there is also disagreement between the senior Lybrarians about the best course to take. Some want more missions sent out to find the Foundation's stronghold and prevent them from tampering with history. Others insist that the ends justify the means and that physical coercion should be used on the prisoner, Mr. Biggs, and force him to give them information on the Foundation.
Between planning with Ebba for their Principles of Lybrarianship training mission, doing the assigned readings, taking a field trip to Tyre in 327 BCE, practicing her sword work with Savi, and assisting the Archivist in organizing mission reports, Dorrie stays very busy. But that doesn't stop her from worrying about the page from the History of Histories that the Foundation has acquired, or their plans to disrupt key missions, or the rumor that one particular disruption would mean the death of someone in Petrarch's Library. Marcus has his own worries. His crush, Egeria, has a boyfriend that Marcus didn't know about. A drummer he met while he and Dorrie were in Athens is being charged with serious crimes and Marcus wants to save him. Even Ebba is distracted with an upcoming trip she and her Lybrarian parents are planning. Can a few apprentices with plenty on their plates actually solve the problems that their teachers can't? You'll have to read to find out.
Besides the mystery and adventure of the story, I also enjoy the humor. Some of my favorite moments from this book are times that Marcus quotes from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." As he, Dorrie, and Ebba are traveling through a dark cave, he sings, "There's no earthly way of knowing, which direction we are going." When they hear the ceiling above them cracking, he quips, "The suspense is terrible. I hope it lasts." And when someone asks why anyone would ever help the Foundation, he suggests they are doing it for "a lifetime supply of chocolate?" When he's not riffing on Roald Dahl, he is also very amusing when he tries to drown his heartache in large amounts of baklava.
There are also serious themes worked into the book. The girls learn about how important it is to let both sides of a cause have their say, even when you disagree with what is being said. (That part actually reminded me of the scene in "The American President" when Michael Douglas addresses the media and talks about the Constitution and Bill of Rights giving everyone the right to freedom of speech.) There is also the debate on whether the ends justify the means. If you do bad things for a good cause, can your cause remain good? And Dorrie learns a very good lesson about facing fear and not letting it take over.
Altogether a wonderful second adventure for the characters. Each of them learn and grow, even the adults. And there are still plenty of opportunities for future missions as their training and the series continue.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
March 8, 2017
Slow starting but draws you in the the Lybrarians world again. The author resolves some of the issues from the first book and provides more character development. Looking forward to the next book.
June 1, 2016
https://noranydroptoread.com/2016/06/...
Lilah (age 9) and I read this sequel to THE ACCIDENTAL KEYHAND out loud. For me, it took a while to get moving, but it held Lilah’s interest from the start. Here’s what happens when you buck middle-grade fantasy tradition, which prefers dead, absent, or oblivious parents: the observant and involved parents have to be convinced to allow the heroes to pursue their fantastical adventures. This takes the first two chapters, which dragged a bit for me but sums up the backstory and first book well. Then the third chapter is getting through the public library, and then we’re finally back in Petrarch’s Library. From this point, we were constantly disappointed when it was time to put the book away for the night, and we stayed up too late more than once.
Dorrie is poring over the available practicums, including “Swords, Daggers, and Coffee Can Tops: A General Survey of Sharp Edges and Their Uses,” “Codes, Invisible Inks, and Smoke Signals: Keeping Communication Maddeningly Secret,” and “Damp Dungeons, Desolate Moors, and Dreary Parties: How To Survive Inimical Environments With Style,” when she learns she won’t be apprenticed to Savi, her beloved sword fighting tutor. Instead, she’ll spend the term assisting the Archivist, a crazy old man who reads excessive quantities of oranges out of books. But she, Marcus, and Ebba are too busy for Dorrie to dwell too much on this: they have an Athenian musician whose fate they are sort of responsible for, a secret or two hidden away in a new library, and an anti-suffragette newspaper to save. Meanwhile, the Foundation is gaining power it plans to use to take control of the written word in all wherens (time-places).
The sibling relationship between Marcus and Dorrie is believable and often funny. Marcus’s crush on Egeria adds plenty of comic relief in the midst of serious adventures. There is a really interesting discussion of means and ends–in the context of whether to torture a prisoner to save other lives–that was quite well done and sophisticated for a middle-grade fiction book. There is also a discussion of the importance of defending all writing, even abhorrent writing, that runs through one of the main plotlines. And another theme involves the true meaning of courage in the face of fear, so the comic relief is very welcome.
Downey balances the lighter “magical boarding school” elements nicely with the “fighting evil” plot. Dorrie, Matcus, and Ebba get away with really impressive amounts of rule breaking with few consequences, and I occasionally found myself thinking the library needed a McGonnagal or a Snape patrolling the corridors, but this is a minor quibble. We couldn’t wait to read the end, and then we were sad it was over. One last plot twist at the very end should wind up being very important in the third book, and Lilah and I actually gasped at the revelation and then sighed over having to wait another year or so for the third book.
Highly recommended, but it’ll be more fun if you read THE ACCIDENTAL KEYHAND first.
Source disclosure: I received an e-galley of this title via NetGalley.
Lilah (age 9) and I read this sequel to THE ACCIDENTAL KEYHAND out loud. For me, it took a while to get moving, but it held Lilah’s interest from the start. Here’s what happens when you buck middle-grade fantasy tradition, which prefers dead, absent, or oblivious parents: the observant and involved parents have to be convinced to allow the heroes to pursue their fantastical adventures. This takes the first two chapters, which dragged a bit for me but sums up the backstory and first book well. Then the third chapter is getting through the public library, and then we’re finally back in Petrarch’s Library. From this point, we were constantly disappointed when it was time to put the book away for the night, and we stayed up too late more than once.
Dorrie is poring over the available practicums, including “Swords, Daggers, and Coffee Can Tops: A General Survey of Sharp Edges and Their Uses,” “Codes, Invisible Inks, and Smoke Signals: Keeping Communication Maddeningly Secret,” and “Damp Dungeons, Desolate Moors, and Dreary Parties: How To Survive Inimical Environments With Style,” when she learns she won’t be apprenticed to Savi, her beloved sword fighting tutor. Instead, she’ll spend the term assisting the Archivist, a crazy old man who reads excessive quantities of oranges out of books. But she, Marcus, and Ebba are too busy for Dorrie to dwell too much on this: they have an Athenian musician whose fate they are sort of responsible for, a secret or two hidden away in a new library, and an anti-suffragette newspaper to save. Meanwhile, the Foundation is gaining power it plans to use to take control of the written word in all wherens (time-places).
The sibling relationship between Marcus and Dorrie is believable and often funny. Marcus’s crush on Egeria adds plenty of comic relief in the midst of serious adventures. There is a really interesting discussion of means and ends–in the context of whether to torture a prisoner to save other lives–that was quite well done and sophisticated for a middle-grade fiction book. There is also a discussion of the importance of defending all writing, even abhorrent writing, that runs through one of the main plotlines. And another theme involves the true meaning of courage in the face of fear, so the comic relief is very welcome.
Downey balances the lighter “magical boarding school” elements nicely with the “fighting evil” plot. Dorrie, Matcus, and Ebba get away with really impressive amounts of rule breaking with few consequences, and I occasionally found myself thinking the library needed a McGonnagal or a Snape patrolling the corridors, but this is a minor quibble. We couldn’t wait to read the end, and then we were sad it was over. One last plot twist at the very end should wind up being very important in the third book, and Lilah and I actually gasped at the revelation and then sighed over having to wait another year or so for the third book.
Highly recommended, but it’ll be more fun if you read THE ACCIDENTAL KEYHAND first.
Source disclosure: I received an e-galley of this title via NetGalley.
August 11, 2016
The Ninja Librarians: Sword in the Stacks by Jen Swann Downey is the second book in the series. Now official apprentices of the Lybrariad, Dorris and Marcus have joined Ebba in the immense time-folding labyrinth known as Petrarch's Library for the Summer Quarter. Dorrie is eager to do well at her practicums, and prove her worth as an apprentice, but before she can choose between "Spears, Axes, and Cats: Throwing Objects with Precision and Flair” and "First and Last Aid: When No One Else Is Coming", mistakes made by Dorrie in the past cause trouble for the lybrarians. The Foundation, once nearly destroyed by the Lybrariad, now has the means to rise from its ashes, and disappear reading and writing from the world. To make sure it succeeds, the Foundation sets in motion a dark plan to increase the power of a cruel figure from the fifteenth century. To stop the Foundation, Dorrie, Marcus and Ebba will have to burglarize Aristotle, gather information among the suffragists and anti-suffragists of 1912 London, and risk their lives to wrest a powerful weapon out of the Foundation's hands - all while upholding the Lybrariad's first principle of protecting all writing, appreciated or despised. If they fail, reading and writing will only be the first things to disappear.
The Ninja Librarians: Sword in the Stacks has a nice balance of humor, action, and mystery as Dorris and Marcus return to the Lybrariad. They want to get on with their studies, but first problems caused from their first adventure- and those that set it in motion- need to be dealt with. Meanwhile, Dorris continues to face the problems of self doubt and trying to fit in while Marcus needs to deal with his continued crush on Egeria. The sibling relationship is believable with equal parts support and teasing, as any real sibling pair I know has acted toward each other. There is some impressive rule breaking in the pursuit of doing good and staving off bigger trouble, but Marcus, Dorris, and Ebba pull it all of with a good about of humor and appropriately timed stumbles. My two minor quibbles with the book is that it started of fairly slowly, enough so that I had a little trouble sticking with it at first. Thankfully I remembered how good the first book was and kept going, and was rewarded for that tenacity. My second issue is, why is this boarding school so easy to sneak around? You would think that all this cray artifacts and doorways that it would be a wee bit harder to achieve all the sneaking around out heroes manage to pull off!
The Ninja Librarians: Sword in the Stacks was as good as the first installment, The Accidental Keyhand, and offers as much adventure and middle grade angst and character growth that one might want in a book. If you enjoyed the first installment, then hold on and keep reading. It starts slow, but picks up speed and then does not let go.
The Ninja Librarians: Sword in the Stacks has a nice balance of humor, action, and mystery as Dorris and Marcus return to the Lybrariad. They want to get on with their studies, but first problems caused from their first adventure- and those that set it in motion- need to be dealt with. Meanwhile, Dorris continues to face the problems of self doubt and trying to fit in while Marcus needs to deal with his continued crush on Egeria. The sibling relationship is believable with equal parts support and teasing, as any real sibling pair I know has acted toward each other. There is some impressive rule breaking in the pursuit of doing good and staving off bigger trouble, but Marcus, Dorris, and Ebba pull it all of with a good about of humor and appropriately timed stumbles. My two minor quibbles with the book is that it started of fairly slowly, enough so that I had a little trouble sticking with it at first. Thankfully I remembered how good the first book was and kept going, and was rewarded for that tenacity. My second issue is, why is this boarding school so easy to sneak around? You would think that all this cray artifacts and doorways that it would be a wee bit harder to achieve all the sneaking around out heroes manage to pull off!
The Ninja Librarians: Sword in the Stacks was as good as the first installment, The Accidental Keyhand, and offers as much adventure and middle grade angst and character growth that one might want in a book. If you enjoyed the first installment, then hold on and keep reading. It starts slow, but picks up speed and then does not let go.
May 25, 2016
This book was provided to me as a digital review copy by the publisher via Edelweiss.
This is the second book in the Ninja Librarians series. The basic premise of the series is that there is a great central library (Petrach's Library) which is located outside the normal flow of time. Operative of the Library, known as Lybrarians, travel through portals in time to different cities around the world, on missions to protect all forms of the written word. Their nemesis is an organization known as the Foundation, whose core belief is that literacy should be the domain of only the most powerful. Dorrie is the main character of the series. She and her twin brother, Marcus, stumbled upon the existence of Petrarch's Library in the first book of the series.
In The Sword in the Stacks, Dorrie and Marcus have been invited to be official apprentices of the Library. They take to their new positions with excitement, but are soon caught up in the latest dangerous goings on of the Library. The villain of the previous book, Mr. Biggs, is in the custody of the Lybrarians, but refuses to divulge the whereabouts of a precious stolen artifact, Petrarch's Star. All anyone know for sure is that with the Star in the Foundation's hands, all past completed missions are potentially in jeopardy. A reversal of an important mission could result not only in changes to history that will allow the Foundation to return to power, but could also cause the death of someone living with the walls of Petrarch's Library.
I feel like I really missed something by not reading the first book in the series. That omission on my part made some sections of the story a little less impactful, but overall, this is a fun book with interesting characters. I worried when a scene early on in the story appeared to be pulled directly from the pages of another (very well known) book, but I saw no other passages that struck me the same way, so I will assume this was a simple oversight. Dorrie and her best friend Ebba are well fleshed-out and relatable. Marcus is less so, as it can be hard to tell when he is being sincere or deceptive. This may be an intentional play on the author's part, so I don't count it as a weakness in the story. I would probably recommend this book to kiddos between the ages of 8 and 12 who enjoy books involving derring-do, adventure, and that "chosen one" vibe.
This is the second book in the Ninja Librarians series. The basic premise of the series is that there is a great central library (Petrach's Library) which is located outside the normal flow of time. Operative of the Library, known as Lybrarians, travel through portals in time to different cities around the world, on missions to protect all forms of the written word. Their nemesis is an organization known as the Foundation, whose core belief is that literacy should be the domain of only the most powerful. Dorrie is the main character of the series. She and her twin brother, Marcus, stumbled upon the existence of Petrarch's Library in the first book of the series.
In The Sword in the Stacks, Dorrie and Marcus have been invited to be official apprentices of the Library. They take to their new positions with excitement, but are soon caught up in the latest dangerous goings on of the Library. The villain of the previous book, Mr. Biggs, is in the custody of the Lybrarians, but refuses to divulge the whereabouts of a precious stolen artifact, Petrarch's Star. All anyone know for sure is that with the Star in the Foundation's hands, all past completed missions are potentially in jeopardy. A reversal of an important mission could result not only in changes to history that will allow the Foundation to return to power, but could also cause the death of someone living with the walls of Petrarch's Library.
I feel like I really missed something by not reading the first book in the series. That omission on my part made some sections of the story a little less impactful, but overall, this is a fun book with interesting characters. I worried when a scene early on in the story appeared to be pulled directly from the pages of another (very well known) book, but I saw no other passages that struck me the same way, so I will assume this was a simple oversight. Dorrie and her best friend Ebba are well fleshed-out and relatable. Marcus is less so, as it can be hard to tell when he is being sincere or deceptive. This may be an intentional play on the author's part, so I don't count it as a weakness in the story. I would probably recommend this book to kiddos between the ages of 8 and 12 who enjoy books involving derring-do, adventure, and that "chosen one" vibe.
July 5, 2016
Dorrie and Marcus are back at Petrarch's Library as official apprentices. Petrarch's Library is a collection of all the endangered libraries throughout history. The lybrarians work to save those endanger and to make sure history takes the right path. They are working against the evil Foundation who wants to control the written word and the world throughout time. After the events of the last book, the Foundation operative Mr. Briggs is in Library custody unwilling to reveal the Foundation's plans. Dorrie is worried about what the lybrarians and other apprentices think of her and tries her hardest to fit in. Marcus is lovesick and mooning over a girl for most of the book. They are also able to go on their first missions as they travel in time to save someone endangered for speaking or writing out.
This is a really fun series. I love the thought of magical librarians who rescue books and writers throughout time. I particularly loved the names of the practicums the students got to choose from. Flattering your way to the perfectly bloodless prison break and First and last aid: when nobody else is coming and damp dungeons, desolate moors, and dreary parties: how to survive inimical environments with style and finally swords, daggers and coffee can tops: a general survey of sharp edges and their uses. I also really appreciate the fact that the author uses real historical characters throughout the book and then gives you information about them at the end.
This is a really fun series. I love the thought of magical librarians who rescue books and writers throughout time. I particularly loved the names of the practicums the students got to choose from. Flattering your way to the perfectly bloodless prison break and First and last aid: when nobody else is coming and damp dungeons, desolate moors, and dreary parties: how to survive inimical environments with style and finally swords, daggers and coffee can tops: a general survey of sharp edges and their uses. I also really appreciate the fact that the author uses real historical characters throughout the book and then gives you information about them at the end.
June 8, 2016
I've really enjoyed this series so far. Here we find Dorrie and Marcus back in Petrach's Library to start their training to become Lybrarians - getting to chose from such awesome classes as “Swords, Daggers, and Coffee Can Tops: A General Survey of Sharp Edges and Their Uses” and “Codes, Invisible Inks, and Smoke Signals: Keeping Communication Maddeningly Secret”. The Big Bad Guy from book one returns, still hell-bent on giving power to the evil Foundation. Naturally, while Dorrie, Ebba and Marcus (sometimes joined by Millie, even!) go about their daily lessons (and continue to make illicit trips to various wherens for various reasons) they stumble upon clues and (naturally) circumstances collide in the end to allow them to help apprehend Mr. Biggs!
I especially enjoy all of the history that is woven into the story, and hope that it sparks curiosity in young readers to find out more.
My only complaint is that it has a habit of suddenly skipping over things and skipping ahead in time. For instance, there was a lot of build up on when and how Dorrie would be able to steal the skipkey, and then it was completely skipped over: one paragraph she was still fretting, and the next paragraph she had it ready to use. What? And that was only one example. At the very least, there should be extra breaks between paragraphs added to indicate that they don't strictly follow each other in time.
I especially enjoy all of the history that is woven into the story, and hope that it sparks curiosity in young readers to find out more.
My only complaint is that it has a habit of suddenly skipping over things and skipping ahead in time. For instance, there was a lot of build up on when and how Dorrie would be able to steal the skipkey, and then it was completely skipped over: one paragraph she was still fretting, and the next paragraph she had it ready to use. What? And that was only one example. At the very least, there should be extra breaks between paragraphs added to indicate that they don't strictly follow each other in time.
June 6, 2016
The follow up to the first Ninja Librarian is funny, fast, and highly entertaining.
Dorrie and her brother Marcus are back and finally joining Petrarch’s Library as apprentices. Now they have to train to one day be able to go on missions to rescue people whose words have gotten them into trouble. They have classes and training with the other apprentices. Before long, Dorrie finds herself close to a member of the Stronghold, the Library’s biggest enemy. She tries to spy and find out what the enemy is up to. If she isn’t careful, those she has come to care about could be in grave danger.
I stumbled upon this and thought it sounded interesting. My biggest problem is I didn’t realize this was the second in a series. I’m sure several aspects would have made much more sense having read the first. Even so, I did enjoy the story. A group of kids working in a library going back and forth in time and places to save those who have gotten themselves into trouble with their writing. For young readers, this is a great series with lots of twists and turns and adventure throughout. I would highly recommend reading the first before diving into The Sword in the Stacks. Not only to better understand this story, but also for another interesting adventure.
Dorrie and her brother Marcus are back and finally joining Petrarch’s Library as apprentices. Now they have to train to one day be able to go on missions to rescue people whose words have gotten them into trouble. They have classes and training with the other apprentices. Before long, Dorrie finds herself close to a member of the Stronghold, the Library’s biggest enemy. She tries to spy and find out what the enemy is up to. If she isn’t careful, those she has come to care about could be in grave danger.
I stumbled upon this and thought it sounded interesting. My biggest problem is I didn’t realize this was the second in a series. I’m sure several aspects would have made much more sense having read the first. Even so, I did enjoy the story. A group of kids working in a library going back and forth in time and places to save those who have gotten themselves into trouble with their writing. For young readers, this is a great series with lots of twists and turns and adventure throughout. I would highly recommend reading the first before diving into The Sword in the Stacks. Not only to better understand this story, but also for another interesting adventure.
August 2, 2016
Dorrie has been accepted to the secret society of Ninja Librarians and she is over the moon. In the midst of learning about cataloguing books, she is getting to time travel to save the world and hang out with some pretty cool people. It is all good until a trip to 1912 goes sideways and she is dangerously close to the enemy, Will Dorrie have what it takes?
This is a great book. Lots of stellar adventure and fun humor. I loved Dorrie with her can do attitude, a perfect character for both girls and boys to relate to. The setting was amazing, I felt as though I was walking through the Petrarch Library and learning to a ninja along side Dorrie. My son loved the fighting and of course the enemy. A great way to get kids reading!!
This is a great book. Lots of stellar adventure and fun humor. I loved Dorrie with her can do attitude, a perfect character for both girls and boys to relate to. The setting was amazing, I felt as though I was walking through the Petrarch Library and learning to a ninja along side Dorrie. My son loved the fighting and of course the enemy. A great way to get kids reading!!
July 1, 2016
This is the second book in the Ninja Librarians series. It is a middle grade reader book. I enjoyed the story and I like how the author is developing the characters.
Marcus and Dorrie get the opportunity to become apprentices in Petrarch's Library. Along with the other apprentices, they take practicums to learn skills to become librarians. The Foundation is trying to rise again. Mr. Biggs is in librarian custody but manages to get away and causes lots of trouble.
Dorrie is determined to help and gets to have several adventures.
Marcus and Dorrie get the opportunity to become apprentices in Petrarch's Library. Along with the other apprentices, they take practicums to learn skills to become librarians. The Foundation is trying to rise again. Mr. Biggs is in librarian custody but manages to get away and causes lots of trouble.
Dorrie is determined to help and gets to have several adventures.
November 18, 2017
Another action-packed romp through the world of Petrarch's Library. This hits the sweet spot of school stories (hilarious happenings in the apprentices' dorms), high adventure (sword play on a sailboat), and historical interest (my favorite sub-plot involves Aristotle and a baby seal). Dorrie and company complete their quest by the end, but many lybrarian missions continue, leaving room for a third installment.
May 25, 2016
A great adventure tale for middle years readers, magic and excitement abound. I loved the idea of closed libraries still existing as ghost libraries attached to the main library, although sadly here in the UK there would be far too many added every month. I would happily buy this for young relatives, indeed I think I will have to purchase the series for my daughter's stepson - after all it's about time he realised that librarians are heroes!
July 7, 2016
Super fun sequel to The Ninja Librarians: The Accidental Keyhand! I want to be a lybrarian with a "Y"! Great time travel adventure. I recommend reading the series in order. For grades 4 and up.
eARC provided by Edelweiss
eARC provided by Edelweiss
September 3, 2016
I received this middle grade book from a Goodreads giveaway. I had almost forgotten how much fun it is to read a book about a mysterious library, time travel a d two kids ready to do battle for the right to read. I highly recommend this series.
January 9, 2017
I wanted to like this, and it had some great quotes. Maybe I missed out reading the second book without reading the first one, because in the half I read, it seemed to be all talk, and mostly about what already happened. I wanted new action.
August 31, 2016
Not as good as the first, I had a hard time reading it continually. I put it down many times and picked it back up to finish it, but when I did finish it, I was happy with it
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