Evan McClelland is almost finished with fifth grade. That and summer break are the only things on his mind. But then he finds himself drawn into a mystery focused on an old library fire, a large orange cat and … a small group of ghosts.
Evan McClelland is almost finished with fifth grade. That and summer break are the only things on his mind. But then he finds himself drawn into a mystery focused on an old library fire, a large orange cat and … a small group of ghosts.
When 11-year-old Evan spots the little free library on the green next to Martinville’s History House, he’s quite surprised. It hadn’t been there the afternoon before when he walked home from school. But this morning it popped up seemingly out of nowhere.
Well, actually, it rose up ahead of Evan, little by little, as he climbed the last bit of hill on the way into town. Evan didn’t even know right away that it was a library. All he saw was the back of the thing: a wooden box sitting on a pole.
As Evan got closer, though, he understood what he was looking at—a suspended rectangle of wood with little glass doors and a collection of books lined up inside. And the small sign on that box of books said, “Take a book, leave a book. Or both.”
So, of course, Evan took two books.
It wasn’t until later that day, when Evan showed his dad the two books and reported the news that a small free library had popped up out of nowhere, that things got really interesting.
It wasn’t unusual for Evan to have this sort of interaction with his dad: Evan and his dad always took time to share their days with one another. Dad would sidle over and sit down, and when he smiled, it always made Evan feel like everything was going to be great, no matter what.
However, in this instance, Dad’s reaction was … odd.
Evan showed his father the two books, reporting that he had deduced they were “real” library books. Or they had been once: They had those numbered stickers on the binding, like the books at the school library. And that was strange, in a way, because Martinville didn’t have its own library other than the one at school.
Dad nodded. But then he picked up one of the books. It was really beat-up. A messy tape job made it impossible to even read the title.
Evan glanced up at his father, whose face was, to Evan’s surprise, bright red. At first, Dad seemed frozen, but then he suddenly stood up, knocking over his chair and catching it right before it hit the floor. He dropped the book.
“Dad?” Evan asked.
But his father was already at the cellar door and heading down to his office. “Lots of email to answer,” he grunted. “See you at dinner.”
Evan stared after his father, listening to his feet clomping down the stairs. Then he reached for the heavily taped-up book and opened it. Inside the mangled cover, there was a little pocket for the circulation card. And at the top of the card were the words Martinville Library.
Trouble was, there is no such place. Which was weird. But weirder still was the fact that on the checkout card, with its columns for dates and names, was only one name: Edward McClelland.
His dad’s name.
Evan looked back at the cellar door, which his father had left open just a crack. The sound of a keyboard clicking came up the stairs. And Evan knew without a doubt that he had suddenly stumbled into a mystery that he would have to get some answers for.
At the very same time, back at the History House, a ghost looked out the window and gazed at the newly erected free library on the green.
At least, she believes she is a ghost.
None.
The book leans into the concept that benevolent ghosts of the dead can exist in our world, communicating with and aiding the living.
Ms. Scroggins is a former head librarian and ghost. She lives in the History House—an old house appointed the exact way that a house was set up back when Martinville was founded. People take tours of the old house every Tuesday and Sunday. But Ms. Scroggins and another ghostly lodger, Mr. Brock, are never seen by the visitors.
In fact, the only person who sees the firm and demanding (but loving) Ms. Scroggins is AL. AL isn’t really her name, it’s just short for “Assistant Librarian.” But AL is easier to fit on a library badge, and it’s easier to say as well.
AL thinks she is the ghost of someone who died in the old Martinville Library fire, just like Ms. Scroggins and Mr. Brock did. But the truth is AL has a distinct lack of talent for invisibility like most ghosts. And there’s a very good reason for that.
There’s a cat that can apparently understand humans, even though he can’t speak to them. And he remembers everything about the deadly fire.
Both of Evan’s parents are kind and loving people.
Dad is a writer and part-time rodent exterminator. But instead of killing mice, he captures them and drives them out into the country where there’s plenty of shelter and food sources. He believes he is actually saving the small creatures. He’s a quiet and very reserved individual.
Mom is the “most patient and encouraging tech-support in Martinville.” She is often walking about the house wearing a headset and talking one distraught customer or another through a computer problem they’re struggling with.
The only other prominently addressed adult in this story is Mr. O’Neal. Mr. O’Neal is Evan’s favorite teacher. He’s a kind and caring man who spurs his students to express themselves and enjoy learning. In fact, Mr. O’Neal is the prime reason that Evan is dreading leaving fifth grade behind and moving on to middle school. Evan is convinced there won’t be another teacher like Mr. O’Neal.
Mortimer the cat protects the small free library that’s been set up. It’s a duty he accepts proudly. And he tries to help Evan solve the mystery of the Martinville Library fire.
There was a massive and deadly fire years ago. And no one but Mortimer knows exactly what happened.
None.
This book suggests that reading can expand our perspective on the world around us. In fact, it presents the idea that we build something like a house in our heads, “built from all the many books and stories you read.”
What does that mean? Have you been working on that house of stories and ideas? Do you find it enjoyable? What’s the benefit of reading, in your opinion? What do you think gets in the way of being able to read a lot of books? Should we make reading a priority instead of other time-consuming things?
In the book, AL changed a lot through the course of the story. Evan’s dad did, too. What do you think changed their way of thinking and made the difference for them?
The Bible often talks about finding healing and help through God’s love and intervention. But what about finding help from other people? Take a look at James 5:16. What do you think this verse is telling us?
The Lost Library is a fun little fantasy mystery involving a boy, his dad and some ghosts. And it not only speaks to the power of reading, but it talks about the dedication and support that loved ones can give. The story demonstrates how friendship and community can help people heal from tragedies in their past.
Parents of younger readers should note that the story also supports the idea of ghosts interacting with the living.
You can request a review of a title you can’t find at letters@pluggedin.com.
Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
After spending more than two decades touring, directing, writing and producing for Christian theater and radio (most recently for Adventures in Odyssey, which he still contributes to), Bob joined the Plugged In staff to help us focus more heavily on video games. He is also one of our primary movie reviewers.
