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lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I got this from the library because one of my friends and coworkers has a thing about raccoons. And I have a thing about libraries, so what a pleasant surprise this book ended up being! This incredible fantastic book borders the line between realism and fantasy, as the librarians must face more budget cuts, programming struggles, and the possibility of their building being torn down, as Pearl, the librarian’s daughter, discovers that the raccoons in the basement can actually read and write, and that The Midnight Moon, the raccoon-written nightly newspaper her mother told her about as stories before bed is actually…real?
This was a beautiful bridge between fiction and truth, reality and fantasy, of narrative and journalism. As you begin the book, there’s one immediate mystery beyond the beheaded statue–and that is of who is writing the sidebars that occur nearly once per chapter? Who is Mr. Nichols, really? And what will Pearl’s mom and mother’s boyfriend/library director going to do if they lose their jobs?
As a librarian, I was enamored with this book. Absolutely enamored. I’ll likely buy this just so I can reread it over and over, it was that good. Beyond even just the struggles that this library has, this book offers a poignant and beautiful view on many other important issues. Such as the main struggle of the book: library versus low-income housing. Is one better than the other? Can one create a sense of community better than another? Can a community benefit better with one or the other? And what about those rooting on either side? Clearly, as readers of this book we’re on the side of the librarians–but the architects and construction site workers are just doing their jobs. What about them, whose income depends on city projects such as these?
And even more so, what do we do with the homeless community who so often frequent the library because it’s a warm place with free bathrooms, places to sit, and free entertainment? At first I was a little apprehensive of Mr. Nichols, because homeless characters in literature, if they aren’t the main character–aren’t always treated with care. But everyone in the book loved Mr. Nichols, save of course, for the main antagonist. And what would happen to him if the library is torn down? Who is he behind the homeless person stereotype? And why is it absolutely imperative that we care?
And then we have issues of immigration, as Pearl’s rival and then best friend, Francine, has come to America and is living with her grandmother who lives above the main antagonist. They live in a small, small apartment with some facilities that only kinda sorta work–but it’s the best they can do.
And then even the main antagonist’s worries–though they be for the wrong reasons–are understandable. He wants the street his shop and the library is on to be better, to have a sense of community, for a “respectable” folk to visit. Of course, his sense of what “respectable” is depends primarily on class and race–but Pearl certainly argues that knowledge is power and to have knowledge is to be respectable.
Overall, this book just tackles so many things–even animal cruelty, when addressing voyeurism and traps and releasing! This book is simply incredible, and it blew my mind.
I loved all the characters, the drama, the way that the conflict and resolution were built in various manners through Pearl’s storytelling, omissions of truth, and relationships built around her school, administration, and community. It’s something you certainly don’t want to miss out on.
This was a beautiful bridge between fiction and truth, reality and fantasy, of narrative and journalism. As you begin the book, there’s one immediate mystery beyond the beheaded statue–and that is of who is writing the sidebars that occur nearly once per chapter? Who is Mr. Nichols, really? And what will Pearl’s mom and mother’s boyfriend/library director going to do if they lose their jobs?
As a librarian, I was enamored with this book. Absolutely enamored. I’ll likely buy this just so I can reread it over and over, it was that good. Beyond even just the struggles that this library has, this book offers a poignant and beautiful view on many other important issues. Such as the main struggle of the book: library versus low-income housing. Is one better than the other? Can one create a sense of community better than another? Can a community benefit better with one or the other? And what about those rooting on either side? Clearly, as readers of this book we’re on the side of the librarians–but the architects and construction site workers are just doing their jobs. What about them, whose income depends on city projects such as these?
And even more so, what do we do with the homeless community who so often frequent the library because it’s a warm place with free bathrooms, places to sit, and free entertainment? At first I was a little apprehensive of Mr. Nichols, because homeless characters in literature, if they aren’t the main character–aren’t always treated with care. But everyone in the book loved Mr. Nichols, save of course, for the main antagonist. And what would happen to him if the library is torn down? Who is he behind the homeless person stereotype? And why is it absolutely imperative that we care?
And then we have issues of immigration, as Pearl’s rival and then best friend, Francine, has come to America and is living with her grandmother who lives above the main antagonist. They live in a small, small apartment with some facilities that only kinda sorta work–but it’s the best they can do.
And then even the main antagonist’s worries–though they be for the wrong reasons–are understandable. He wants the street his shop and the library is on to be better, to have a sense of community, for a “respectable” folk to visit. Of course, his sense of what “respectable” is depends primarily on class and race–but Pearl certainly argues that knowledge is power and to have knowledge is to be respectable.
Overall, this book just tackles so many things–even animal cruelty, when addressing voyeurism and traps and releasing! This book is simply incredible, and it blew my mind.
I loved all the characters, the drama, the way that the conflict and resolution were built in various manners through Pearl’s storytelling, omissions of truth, and relationships built around her school, administration, and community. It’s something you certainly don’t want to miss out on.
justicepirate's review against another edition
2.0
I read this to my sons during dinner times, but it took forever and was one that dragged on compared to many of the stories I have read. Also there were a couple of d words I skipped saying when reading it, which this could have done without.
This is about a little girl who was born in a library. When the head of the statue in the courtyard of the library goes missing, the girl is in shock. She decides to do something to help the library and find the head. The library is in danger of being knocked down and not enough people are supporting it.
On top of everything, there are raccoons that live in the library and a very interesting story about them that bring this fiction towards some more fun.
It is set around Halloween and Election Day. There are a couple historical factors brought in, but not much. It is a cute story, but it falls flat over and over again. It became repetitive. I think this book could have been only two parts instead of 4. Maybe 3 max.
I'd say, skip this book if you can. I would have stopped reading it sooner to my children, but it was in my to read list for so long that I decided to work through it. There were some great chapters and fun parts of it, but not enough. I enjoyed learning about the characters and the relationship they had with the main character.
This is about a little girl who was born in a library. When the head of the statue in the courtyard of the library goes missing, the girl is in shock. She decides to do something to help the library and find the head. The library is in danger of being knocked down and not enough people are supporting it.
On top of everything, there are raccoons that live in the library and a very interesting story about them that bring this fiction towards some more fun.
It is set around Halloween and Election Day. There are a couple historical factors brought in, but not much. It is a cute story, but it falls flat over and over again. It became repetitive. I think this book could have been only two parts instead of 4. Maybe 3 max.
I'd say, skip this book if you can. I would have stopped reading it sooner to my children, but it was in my to read list for so long that I decided to work through it. There were some great chapters and fun parts of it, but not enough. I enjoyed learning about the characters and the relationship they had with the main character.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
Educators' Guide: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=22047
serinde4books's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) through NetGalley. It will be published January 7, 2020
Pearl Moran is 10 years old and starting 5th grade. She was actually born at the library! Her mom is the circulation desk librarian and dating the library manager Bruce. Bruce used to be a park ranger, and has costume of Ranger Rick the Raccoon. Pearl’s father has never been in the picture. The library is her home, and the library staff her family. But her library is not doing well, there is poor circulation and some developers want to turn it into apartments. And to top it off the statute of the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay (known as Vincent), get her head stolen one night. Things are not looking good for the future of the Lancaster Branch of New York City library at all.
I really liked this book. There was nothing in the book that I said, OH I wouldn’t want my kid reading this, there were a few discussions about reproduction in the animal kingdom, and a few cuss words like piss, and damn and hell, but it was mild in mind. This was a great story about perseverance and social issues. It was about friendship and change, and how small actions can lead to great things. Peal and Francine and Oleg and all the library workers, really brought the library back to life. Pearl found her place in her world, and friends. And she didn’t sacrifice important things, like the raccoons, to achieve it. She showed integrity and commitment and inclusion. I don’t know that kids will get all the concepts, but the seeds of them could be planted with this book. Once I figure out how to get it to be readable on my kindle (netgalley sent a pdf, not a kindle file), or when it comes out, whichever happens first, I will absolutely have my son read it.
#AgirlAraccoonAndTheMidnightMoon #NetGalley
For additional reviews please see my blog at www.adventuresofabibliophile.blogspot.com
Pearl Moran is 10 years old and starting 5th grade. She was actually born at the library! Her mom is the circulation desk librarian and dating the library manager Bruce. Bruce used to be a park ranger, and has costume of Ranger Rick the Raccoon. Pearl’s father has never been in the picture. The library is her home, and the library staff her family. But her library is not doing well, there is poor circulation and some developers want to turn it into apartments. And to top it off the statute of the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay (known as Vincent), get her head stolen one night. Things are not looking good for the future of the Lancaster Branch of New York City library at all.
I really liked this book. There was nothing in the book that I said, OH I wouldn’t want my kid reading this, there were a few discussions about reproduction in the animal kingdom, and a few cuss words like piss, and damn and hell, but it was mild in mind. This was a great story about perseverance and social issues. It was about friendship and change, and how small actions can lead to great things. Peal and Francine and Oleg and all the library workers, really brought the library back to life. Pearl found her place in her world, and friends. And she didn’t sacrifice important things, like the raccoons, to achieve it. She showed integrity and commitment and inclusion. I don’t know that kids will get all the concepts, but the seeds of them could be planted with this book. Once I figure out how to get it to be readable on my kindle (netgalley sent a pdf, not a kindle file), or when it comes out, whichever happens first, I will absolutely have my son read it.
#AgirlAraccoonAndTheMidnightMoon #NetGalley
For additional reviews please see my blog at www.adventuresofabibliophile.blogspot.com
psychedandlit's review against another edition
4.0
A Girl, a Racoon, and the Midnight Moon
by Karen Romano Young
Published: 01/07/2020
Synopsis
Pearl Moran was born in the Lancaster Avenue Branch of the New York City Library. Raised by a single mother, Pearl has grown up surrounded by the faculty of the library as part of her family while listening to her mother tell stories of reading raccoons. One morning, as Pearl went to open an office window to let sun from the back courtyard into the library, Pearl was horrified to find the head from a statue of Edna St. Vincent Millay, a granite statue in the courtyard had been stolen. With the events that follow, the library's fate falls into peril and Pearl takes it upon herself to save it. One part mystery, one part coming of age story, and one part a story about stories, the author takes you along as Pearl learns more about herself, those around her, and what she will do to save what she loves.
Thoughts
My 10-year-old, fifth-grader and I read this book for his school reader. As a parent, I appreciated many of the lessons within this story. Exploring important topics such as homelessness, city budgeting, parenting, and so much more through the use of sidebars, I found this story to be far more than your typical middle-grade reader. It truly brought many important topics to life in a fun and interesting way.
Rating: 4 Stars
For more on this rating and other ratings for books I've reviewed, please check out my blog - the link is below!
https://thelitterature.wixsite.com/website
by Karen Romano Young
Published: 01/07/2020
Synopsis
Pearl Moran was born in the Lancaster Avenue Branch of the New York City Library. Raised by a single mother, Pearl has grown up surrounded by the faculty of the library as part of her family while listening to her mother tell stories of reading raccoons. One morning, as Pearl went to open an office window to let sun from the back courtyard into the library, Pearl was horrified to find the head from a statue of Edna St. Vincent Millay, a granite statue in the courtyard had been stolen. With the events that follow, the library's fate falls into peril and Pearl takes it upon herself to save it. One part mystery, one part coming of age story, and one part a story about stories, the author takes you along as Pearl learns more about herself, those around her, and what she will do to save what she loves.
Thoughts
My 10-year-old, fifth-grader and I read this book for his school reader. As a parent, I appreciated many of the lessons within this story. Exploring important topics such as homelessness, city budgeting, parenting, and so much more through the use of sidebars, I found this story to be far more than your typical middle-grade reader. It truly brought many important topics to life in a fun and interesting way.
Rating: 4 Stars
For more on this rating and other ratings for books I've reviewed, please check out my blog - the link is below!
https://thelitterature.wixsite.com/website
singerji's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
everythingawesome's review against another edition
4.0
I judged this book by its cover ... and probably also by the quote by the author of Ella Enchanted, both of which I love. Pearl is the librarian’s daughter, spends her time in the books, and was even born in the library. Unfortunately, the library is in trouble and when the head of the library’s beloved garden statue is stolen one night, things are looking dire for the future of the library. Pearl sets out on a mission to save her library home and get the community interested in books and reading once again! I enjoyed many aspects of the book and loved all of the characters. It felt a bit long in parts but nerdy middle-readers will love the sidebars and the reporters who work together to tell the story.
—
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Rated: PG
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⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Rated: PG
bookworm_baggins's review against another edition
I received a free review copy from the publisher. I put this book down after reading more than 100 pages and haven't felt any strong desire to pick it back up again. On the surface it looked like a great fit for me -- library, mystery, fun illustrations, quirky footnotes and sidebars -- but the writing was very awkward and cumbersome and the story felt very disjointed and rambled on.