Library Girl - by Polly Horvath (Hardcover)

About the Book

Eleven-year-old Essie, who was abandoned as a baby and lovingly raised by four librarians, meets a mysterious boy whom she believes is her twin brother, but as she gets to know him better, she discovers nothing is as simple as it seems.

Book Synopsis

After living in the public library for the last eleven years, Essie must learn to adapt to a world that's not as perfect as the stories she's grown up with in this heartfelt middle grade novel from Newbery Honor author Polly Horvath.

Essie has grown up in the public library, raised in secret by the four librarians who found her abandoned as a baby in the children's department. With four mothers and miles of books to read, Essie has always been very happy living there.

But now that she is eleven, Essie longs for a little more freedom . . . and maybe a friend her own age. She seems to get her wish when her moms let her go by herself to the mall. On her second trip there, she meets G.E., a mysterious boy who looks so much like her she can't help but think they may be twins. Maybe he was raised by four dads in the appliance section of the department store. Maybe his story is intertwined with hers, and their happy ending is as one big family. But as she gets to know G.E. better, she learns that nothing is as simple as it seems in her stories--not even her own past.

With her signature warmth and offbeat humor, Newbery Honor author Polly Horvath invites book lovers to sit back in their own library nooks and check out a whimsical adventure perfect for readers trying to find their place in the world.

Review Quotes

"This whimsical story is rich with quirky, lovable characters, the warmth of found family and an unexpected twist."--The Washington Post

"A love letter to books and the dreamers who read them. Hand this charming story to precocious readers and fans of Matilda."--School Library Journal

"Horvath takes as much care with the characterizations of the four librarians as she does with Essie's, and as always her storytelling abilities are top-notch."--The Horn Book

"[A] quirky tale."--Publishers Weekly

"A lovely daydream for readers."--Kirkus Reviews

"Give this one to a quiet kid who loves the throwbacks but wants one with a very slightly more modern perspective."--The Bulletin

"Fast paced, richly imaginative, and written with abundant humor. An engaging choice for reading aloud."--Booklist

About the Author

Polly Horvath has written many books for children, including Everything on a Waffle, a Newbery Honor Book, The Canning Season, a National Book Award winner, The Trolls, a National Book Award finalist, and Pine Island Home and Pine Island Visitors. She lives in British Columbia with her family. Visit her at www.PollyHorvath.com.