Rebel in the Library of Ever

March 15, 2020
An inkling that something has gone "Terribly Wrong" in the cosmic Library prompts Second Apprentice Librarian Lenora to book a return visit. Almost immediately, 12-year-old Lenora learns to her dismay that the vain, choleric (and oddly familiar, at least to politically aware readers) new Director is firing Librarians wholesale, crowing over fictive "patron fees," and cutting down the book collections. Stoutly, she ventures back into the endless stacks of the Library of Ever (2019) to confront him--only to discover that he's just a tantrum-prone pawn of the Forces of Darkness, a trio of slithery agents out to extinguish the light of learning everywhere. Joined by the Director's na�ve but computer-savvy young daughter, Lenora resolutely sets out to stymie the bowler-hatted foes. Along the way, she demonstrates the well-known thrills of reference work by, for instance, responding to a young patron's query by seeking out the largest meaningful number (pro tip: "infinity" is not a number) and helping a tentacled extraterrestrial archaeologist recover stolen research notes on the mysterious Mississippian culture. (All in a day's work, as any public-service librarian will attest.) Between the cast of intellectual-freedom fighters and the hissing forces of ignorance, Alexander leaves no doubt about which side to cheer for. Lenora, the Director, and his daughter present white; several other members of the human cast are people of color, indicated by name or description. Further proof that librarians are mighty in all universes. Any questions? (Fantasy. 9-11)

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Starred review from May 15, 2020
Grades 3-6 *Starred Review* After a year of patiently waiting, taking Kendo lessons, and reading every book she can get her mitts on, Lenora is finally called back to work by the Library of Ever. This time, the Forces of Darkness?namely hatred, lies, and fear?have infiltrated the Board and fired any librarian who openly resists. It's up to Lenora to bring the light back, and she accomplishes this by empowering all the true librarians to organize and rebel. In this sequel, readers will learn who Zeno Alexander, the person chronicling Lenora's stories, is and how they came to be acquainted. Lenora also meets a new friend, Ada, who begins the story in ignorance and finishes in enlightenment. All the magic and awe of the first volume (The Library of Ever, 2019) continues here, taking Lenora to heights greater than the universe itself, all in search of the right answer for a curious patron, with the aid of none other than a googol. It's so very exciting to imagine librarians as truth seekers and rebels with access to the incredible Library where they'll always be able to bring the truth to their patrons. Indeed, libraries are magic, and just as so many imagine receiving their acceptance letters from Hogwarts, this clever, whimsical tale will have anyone looking for the portal to the Library of Ever.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)