Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian

by Jacob Sager Weinstein, Vera Brosgol (Illustrator)

“What if there were a superhero who could give people in trouble the very book they need most?...[A] winning concept…cheeky hilarity.”—Publishers Weekly   A super-secret operative saves the world from a diabolical threat through her ability to brandish just the right book at just the right time in this delightfully silly superhero tale illustrated by an Eisner Award-winner and Caldecott Honoree.   When an evil genius has a diabolical plan to destroy every book on the planet, who has the tome-toting page power to thwart his dastardly scheme? Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian! She’s got the gadgets. She’s got the disguises. And she’s always got the right book at the right time. It’s a good thing, too, because Lyric McKerrigan is the world’s last hope! With lots of humor and a “thrilling, action-packed pace” (Horn Book Magazine), Jacob Sager Weinstein and Vera Brosgol introduce a smart and crafty heroine who is part comic-book hero, part reader extraordinaire, and wholly awesome.   “An exciting escapade with an unlikely hero and a not-so-secret message about the power of books.”—Kirkus Reviews “Sure to delight budding comic fans, crime fighters, and bibliophiles alike.”—School Library Journal

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Humor, Adventure, Books About Books

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 4, 2018

About the author

Jacob Sager Weinstein's work has appeared in The New Yorker and The Onion, and he has written for HBO as well. He lives in London with his wife and children.

His latest book is WHAT ROSA BROUGHT.

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...or my army of giant moths will eat the world's books!!!"

Well, don't make such threats. Damn. You, you, you villian!

And the question asked is:

"Who loves books so much that she would risk her life to save them?"

Helllooooooooo....... Is it me you're looking for??!


But no. There's my aura twin, Lyric McKerrigan aka TamBookishMish 😋

But then the plot is missing. The action is missing. The adventure is missing. A real, good ending is missing.


Just kudos to the perfect artwork.

That's all.

And it talks about saving books. That's all

Seriously, that's all.

And no one will argue.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genius, hilarious—like the best action film, but with a young librarian who saves the day. So good.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too slight and obvious for me, but probably fun for the picture book crowd. Maybe good as an entrée into comics.

[Rod Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visiting our daughter for her 24th birthday, my wife and I give her a picture book read aloud marathon (Book 3 of 11). This one is the best of the bunch.

The villainous Doctor Glockenspiel has threatened to destroy the world's books. Who can stop him? Read this book aloud and you'll find yourself and your audience shouting the answer way too loud like the chorus of a hit song.

A loving tribute to comic books and librarians who know the perfect book recommendation for every occasion and person.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book in comic style about a librarian who fights evil by giving the good guys the books they need -- what's not to love?

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want one billion trillion dollars, or my army of giant moths will eat the world's books!!!

Gasp!

Who can stop the evil Doctor Glockenspiel?

Who loves books so much that she would risk her life to save them?

Why, Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian, that's who!

And, she knows just the right book for every occasion. No. Really. She uses BOOKS to foil the dastardly old villain's plot. It's pretty awesome - AND, a definite treat for book lovers of all ages!

[Roone Hennessey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever, super funny celebration of resourceful librarians. I laughed a lot. It's a good example of how the right book, at the right time, is pure magic.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the evil Doctor Glockenspiel escapes from prison and threatens to destroy all of the world's books if his ransom demand isn't met, the secret agents sent to apprehend him meet with abject failure. It falls to Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian, who always knows just the book for every reader, to save the day...

For anyone who loves books, and believes that librarians are superheroes, Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian is a story you will want to pick up. With plenty of clever book-recommendation twists - I chuckled at the many ways Lyric used various tomes to defeat the enemy - and fun, cartoon-style artwork from Caldecott honoree Vera Brosgol, this is a sure-fire winner for every young bibliophile and would-be superhero.

[Lindy Santellan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every librarian needs this book. We are superhero’s after all.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute! Vera Brosgol's art (and dedication to the Multnomah County library system) is part of the 4 star rating ;) there are pages where the art is so wonderful that I want prints for my wall :)

The story is way cute, and I love that Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian helps people solve their problems by finding the right book for the person who needs it! So adorable and I am excited for this book to inspire future librarians! ♥

ALSO: I really want Lyric McKerrigan's origin story now. Please give me more of these books :P also maybe have a crossover with the one and only WordGirl. I'm just saying. It'd be so fantastic.

[Erin Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This proves that librarians really can save the world...one book at a time!!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to be Lyric McKerrigan when I grow up!

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a funny little comic book adventure. I love the secret librarian superhero but why can't the librarian superhero do actual librarian stuff beyond giving people the right books? I suppose that wouldn't make as interesting a story. While the over-the-top plotline didn't really appeal to me, I'm sure young superhero fans and those who love being read to will enjoy it. The bug eyed illustrations weren't quite to my liking but it was fun to guess where Lyric was. I loved the punny titles of the books.

[Chance Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable adventure starring Lyric McKerrigan, a secret librarian who distracts henchmen by giving them the perfect books! Lots of fun details as Lyric wears a variety of disguises and supplies baddies with books that are parodies of familiar stories. She even nicely provides the bad guy with a little library after he is caught. Brosgol's full-color artwork shines with personality, and the author's writing matches the zany humor I'm used to from her.

[Alicen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is adorable

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I know who I'm going as next Halloween. Pretty sure my whole department is!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a librarian I just wante to thank Jacob Sager Weinstein for this book!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd give this more stars if I could! I think they should give a copy to everyone on their first day of library school. :)

[Sarah Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

OBSESSED. So good.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first graphic "novel". Hahahaha. Super cute graphic picture book for the younger set about- what else?- a librarian!

[Barb Keltner · Rating 5 out of 5]

At last! A book that shows -- with FLAIR! -- how librarians can provide the right book at just the right time! Very cute and clever! Should be read aloud to children while wearing a cape!

[Bexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable. Lyric McKerrigan knows the right book for every occasion!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of cheesy, but I enjoyed it.

I love that the librarian was cool and hip looking. :)

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The exact picture book I have always wanted but never knew I needed about reader's advisory.

[Brenda Lower · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I ever need to read a book about my profession, I found it!

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever graphic novel-ish book about a girl who saves all the books in the world from an evil genius (who's not all that smart).

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The collaboration of Mr. Weinstein's witty and interactive narrative and Ms. Brosgol's vibrant and dramatic illustrations make this book a treat to read. Filled with dialogue, it might prove to be a bit of a challenge for a group read aloud, but great for a one-on-one read.

Some children's books are obviously written with adults in mind and don't always succeed in drawing in actual children. The story carefully walks the edge of this pitfall; of being a book that only a librarian would love. But I think that it has enough appeal for children that it can entertain children of all ages.

The illustrations, created using "ink on bristolboard with color in Adobe Photoshop," are wonderful and really help to capture the whimsical, crafty, and adventurous nature of our neighborhood librarian. I really enjoyed reading this book and will be sure to recommend it to my fellow library students and librarian buddies.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot describe how much I LOVE this book! I knew I would because: Vera Brosgol, but I was unprepared for how great the story would be, too! Lyric saves the day against the evil villain by distracting his cronies with the perfect book!

[Sydney | sydneys.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is technically a picture book, but I'm counting it as a graphic novel. This is absolutely DELIGHTFUL story about fighting off bad guys with the power of books. There are clever details that will make a teen or adult reader smirk, but the general audience appeal is high.

[Kaya W. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was just "Ok". Nothing I would share with my little reading group.