The Library Mule of Cordoba - by Wilfrid Lupano (Hardcover)

About the Book

A 2024 JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION Here's the story of what happens when saving the world's knowledge from destruction depends on the worst mule in history! and#xA0; The Caliphate of Al-Andalus, Spain, 976. The Caliphate has been blessed with a period of peace, culture, and science for nearly sixty years. The Caliph Abd al-Rahman III and his son al-Hakam II made Cordoba the Western capital of learning. But al-Hakam II dies young, and his son is only ten years old. and#xA0; One of his viziers, Amir, seizes the opportunity to take power. Radical clergymen, in exchange for their support of the illegitimate pretender, want to see the 400,000 books in Cordoba's library burn! and#xA0; The night before the biggest bonfire ever, the head librarian, a chubby eunuch named Tarid, gathers up all the books he can and loads them onto the back of a passing mule. He takes off in the hopes of saving what he can of universal knowledge. and#xA0; Joined by a young copyist and a former apprentice who went on to become a thief and vagabond, Tarid and his lazy, over-burdened "bibliomule" set out on a madcap adventure: crossing nearly all of Spain with Berber mercenaries in hot pursuit!

Book Synopsis

A 2024 JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD GOLD STANDARD SELECTION

A 2024 NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY SELECTION FOR BEST NEW COMICS OF 2024

Here's the story of what happens when saving the world's knowledge from destruction depends on the worst mule in history!

The Caliphate of Al-Andalus, Spain, 976. The Caliphate has been blessed with a period of peace, culture, and science for nearly sixty years. The Caliph Abd al-Rahman III and his son al-Hakam II made Cordoba the Western capital of learning. But al-Hakam II dies young, and his son is only ten years old.

One of his viziers, Amir, seizes the opportunity to take power. Radical clergymen, in exchange for their support of the illegitimate pretender, want to see the 400,000 books in Cordoba's library burn!

The night before the biggest bonfire ever, the head librarian, a chubby eunuch named Tarid, gathers up all the books he can and loads them onto the back of a passing mule. He takes off in the hopes of saving what he can of universal knowledge.

Joined by a young copyist and a former apprentice who went on to become a thief and vagabond, Tarid and his lazy, over-burdened "bibliomule" set out on a madcap adventure: crossing nearly all of Spain with Berber mercenaries in hot pursuit!

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Review Quotes

"Although this tale is set far in the past, the themes, including censorship, book banning, book burning, and intellectual freedom, are unfortunately still relevant in today's world. The lighthearted humor woven through the story helps readers unpack these difficult issues, while offering hope to those who aim to protect and cultivate education." - School Library Journal

"Gorgeously illustrated in colors that bring alive the majesty and danger of Andalusia's golden age, The Library Mule of Córdoba makes a powerful statement on the importance of protecting knowledge in times of political upheaval." - Booklist

"The Library Mule of Cordoba was great fun to read while also keeping at its heart the issue of preserving books and knowledge, often victim to radicals and dictators, and consequently lost forever." - LIterary Potpourri