Saving Eli's Library

by Ruth Horowitz, Brittany Jackson (Illustrator)

There once was a town that saved its library.Eli loves going to the library for Story Circle, but, one stormy day, the nearby river threatens to flood it. Eli and his dad must brave the storm to help save the books, and, when the storm is over, the whole town must come together to rebuild the library. Inspired by the residents of Lincoln, Vermont, who rebuilt their library on three separate occasions, Saving Eli's Library showcases one community’s bigheartedness, and the power of water and nature.

Genres: Picture Books, Books About Books, Childrens, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

37 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2020

About the author

I have worked as a librarian in a Catholic girls’ high school, raised two children, run for public office, taught Torah at a Hebrew school and served the causes of truth and grammar as a contributing editor at Vermont’s alternative weekly newspaper, Seven Days. I grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, and also spent part of my childhood in Paris. Since then I’ve lived in Los Angeles and Burlington, Vermont. I now live with my husband and write full time in Rhode Island. I recently completed a novel for adults.

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank god! All the books ended up being safe! Phew! What a story!

And what's with the alluring illustrations?!

I love, love, love the artstyle so much! It's bringing back lots of childhood memories.

And the best is this: the book is about books, libraries and story telling.

These kids are so lucky to have that amazing library and understanding adults.

I love this book so much!

Disasters will keep turning up but, yes, let's try our best to save the books too!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Horowitz and Brittany Jackson (Illustrator) do a great job of telling a delightful story. Eli, a boy who loves story circle and the cool things the library offers becomes concerned when a flood nearly destroys his hometown library. He and his community unite to save "Eli"'s library.

The story is based on a real library.
The illustrations are a delight.

[Jane Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving Eli’s Library is a celebration of libraries and the communities that come together around them, both in good times and bad! Eli, who is big-hearted and brave, will empower kids to take action on things that matter to them and inspire kids to believe that they can make a difference in the world.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's just a brief review to share a gem we keep returning to.

Saving Eli's Library is a feel-good inspired-by-a-true-story picture book about spontaneous civic responsibility. When Eli and his dad go to the library for story time, they discover that a flood is imminent and the books need to be moved above the flood line. With everyone who happens to be in the library that day, they spring into action. Although the rising river damages furniture and floors, the library's collection is safe because of librarians' and patrons' swift action. Eli is a relatable character – he loves his library, wants to help the people he cares about, and feels pride in his contribution to a successful venture. The story is suspenseful but not sensationalized; Horowitz and Jackson have created an engaging tale that invites conversation and inspires a young audience to appreciate how integral even the youngest members are in society. We've read this so many times I've lost track of how many; T continues to pick it out. Saving Eli's Library is a winner and I recommend it.

Back matter tells the true story that inspired this picture book.

Note: A review copy was provided for the purpose of an honest review. All thoughts are our own.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Albert Whitman & Company through Edelweiss+
I love the town spirit in this book. The community banded together to not only save as many of the books as possible but to clean up and rebuild what they lost. It's an excellent book to read as a group and talk about compassion and community work. Something all ages need to be reminded of at times.
Eli loves story time at the library. He enjoys the stories and hearing the river outside chime in with noises. One day a storm blows in and the river swells. His dad and he along with so many other friends work to save the library books and other equipment. They have to stop to get to safety before everything is done. When they survey the damage the next morning, Eli is sad at what is lost. The librarian shows him everything that was saved. Great reminder about perspective and attitude. The town then works to clean up the sludge and rebuild and restock the shelves. After weeks of work, the library is even better. Horowitz has created a lovely tribute to community action and town spirit. Together, people can accomplish anything.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eli's favorite place is the library. He especially likes sitting on the braided rug and hearing stories from Miss Mudge. But one day, it rained so hard that the library and its books were in danger from a rising river, so Eli and his dad helped move all the books to the highest shelves before heading home in the driving rain. The books were saved, but the library was a mess - mud and water damage everywhere. Eli (and the town) all pitched in to save the library. Such a nice story about community partners.

I loved the illustrations, Eli is so cute and such a hard worker. An author's note at the end explains the source of the story. Saving Eli's Library would be a good story to start a conversation with a class on doing service or how kids can help with grown up projects.

Cross posted to https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eli loves the library down by the river. He likes hanging out with his local library friends and enjoys storytime with the librarian. But when a big storm comes by, and the river is about to swallow the little library, Eli joins in to do everything he can to save it.

As the author's notes pointed out, Saving Eli's Library was inspired by a real event where a local library was destroyed in a flood, and due to community input, a new restored one was built. This book is not only a dedication to that incident, but also to all libraries in general. Their significance in the community and the impact they have on readers should never be taken for granted. The art, I believe, is digital, but nice and colorful with a texture similar to what you see in a kid's cartoon. And is a wonderful tale of a boy's love for a library and the efforts of a community to ensure it's still going.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Author's note at the back reveals a beleaguered Vermont library that was continually rebuilt over the years following repeated natural disasters. The most recent was a flood in which only the books on the highest shelves and those checked out to patrons survived.
This fictional story features Eli, a story time fan, who helps save books as a flood threatens, then assists in the clean up and restoration with other community members. As libraries are resuming their place as essential in society, especially during and post Covid, this story will tug at hearts and demonstrate examples of strength in numbers.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as an ebook

As much as I really enjoyed this story, it is evidence as to why I need to stop reading so many picture books and reviewing them outside of work: I have nothing to say.

I loved the artwork. I enjoyed the story of a young boy and his community banning together to save the local library. But I don’t have anything else more cohesive to say beyond that. It was a sweet story. It showed children that even small contributions can go a long way. Yet I feel like I am still reaching, because I’m not well trained in reviewing picture books.

That aside, I still really enjoyed Saving Eli’s Library and would recommend it to other library lovers.

[Doe Boyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the true story of a library in Lincoln, Vermont, rescued and refurbished when the rushing waters of the New Haven River overflowed its banks, this fictional tale reveals that a robust and generous community response from volunteers can really make a difference in weather emergencies. It also exuberantly demonstrates the vital importance of libraries, not just as collections of shared books but as centers of community life.

[Glenda Armand · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a little boy, Eli, who loves reading about heroes in his beloved library. When an act of nature damages the library, Eli learns that heroes are not only found in books. A good story to read to children as an example of the power that they have to make a difference. Nicely illustrated.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Eli's favorite place in the world is threatened by flooding, his family and the whole town comes out to save the precious library. Read about Eli's bravery in Saving Eli's Library by Ruth Horowitzh. Don't forgt to read about more brave library lovers in the Author's note at the back of the book! For ages 3 - 8.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an ARC courtesy of the publisher via Edelweiss

I have a soft spot for books about libraries and reading. I enjoyed this charming story about how a library was repaired after a flood. It had a good message about how things do get better though you might have to put in some work.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There once was a town that saved its library.” This is a fictional story that was inspired by the true story of a library in Lincoln, Vermont. After a flood nearly destroys the local library, the town works together to help it reopen. Libraries a great places for stories.

[Danielle Dufayet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving Eli's Library is an ode to all the libraries we love and cherish. Full of heart and suspense, it shows how teamwork and community can save the day, or in this case, a wonderful library. Every library should have this book, not to mention every children's book shelf.

[Aimée Bissonette · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ode to libraries and the kids who love them! This book reminds us of the little things that are dear to little people (like story hour on the library rug) and the desire of those same little people to help when things go wrong. A great community building book, too. Nice job, Eli!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, honest story about a town banding together to save a library from a coming flood. It is told like a nonfiction retelling, even though it is fiction based on a true story. I love any book about books!

[Aubrey Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story showed the importance of community and coming together for a good cause. I loved how Eli and other characters had a place in the library where they felt at home.

I would read this to children to remind them the importance of literature, community, and sharing stories with one another.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Erin Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story about a community coming together to protect and rebuild one of its resources - the library!

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book about a community saving its beloved library& the power of nature!

[ijul (yuliyono) · Rating 4 out of 5]

gambarnya bagusss
ceritanya untuk shasha, mestinya :)

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

Eli and his community help rebuild their local library after a flood. Inspired by a real library flood in 1998 (and reflective of many natural disasters survived by libraries since).

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story about a boy that loves his library.

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eli helps out cleaning up his library after a flood caused damage inside.

[Natalie Tate · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustration style was nice enough but the story felt a little bland.

[Christine Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great content and nice breakout of services at libraries. Love the work of volunteers and mention of Friends of the Library which are a huge backbone of public branches.

[Susan Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving Eli's Library is an affirming story, given that it actually happened. A valuable lesson in collective action, and that everyone is able to help and contribute.

[Bookworm4Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eli loves going to story circle at the library, but when the river threatens to sweep it away it's up to Eli and many others to keep the books safe