Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for providing a review copy.

Neglected by her wealthy parents and nanny, Lenora loses herself in the library downtown-- specifically, in the Employees Only section, which seems larger and more fantastical and, frankly, magical, than actually possible. Here, the librarians give her a job as Fourth Assistant Apprentice Librarian, have her take a vow to help those who need it, and set her loose in the library with a series of increasingly difficult tasks. If this sounds like a daydream of a knowledge lover, well, you're not far off the mark. But as a librarian myself, it doesn't sound much like my job-- and not just because I don't answer reference questions by befriending penguins and flying a balloon around a giant globe.

First, there's a lot to like about this book. The premise of a magical library, as well as all the topics and exhibits it includes, is delightful. Many books about books and libraries focus on literature and literary allusions, which are fun if you're the kind of person who has already read whatever the author considers as their canon, but less fun if all the references go over your head. This book focuses instead on the information side of libraries-- the reference questions and the science facts and what I'd generally call nonfiction. There's not really any rhyme or reason to which facts Lenora already knows and which ones she learns and records in her notebook along the way. That, though, feels pretty accurate to me to how kids collect facts on topics that interest them. I also like the depiction of the library having exhibits and artifacts and not just books.

What gives me pause, however, is that, fantasy aside, this depiction of the library sounds very little like a modern public library. Reference desks full of librarian staff who refer patrons to enormous books-- that's an adult's idea of what a library is, and a nostalgic view of some past library. Lenora's library has space rockets and translators for ants and robots with time machines but no computers or internet. That just doesn't reflect the libraries kids who read this book would be visiting. This retrograde view of what libraries are is just as dangerous as the bland Forces of Darkness and their simplistic censorship lessons at the end of the book.

I'll still probably pick up a copy for my library-- books about libraries are pretty popular there, and this feels like a perfect choice for a readaloud with an early elementary school aged kid or a readalike for fans of the Mr. Lemoncello's Library books.

It took me a few chapters to get into this one, but then I got charmed by Lenora and her adventures. Loved the ending and potential for the story to continue in exciting ways. Full review on goodreads..com

This children's fiction surprised me with how creatively adventurous and charming it was. It was a fun, fantastical, whimsical tale kind of reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library combined. But it's still its own story! I loved the setting of the library, but this is a magical library that expands to contain all knowledge, known (and sometimes unknown!) It also did a good job of championing libraries to all reading. This will be an easy sell to my 3-6th grade students! Enchanting! Well done for what appears to be the author's first offering!

#NetGalley #TheLibraryofEver

The Library of Ever is a cute short book filled with big words, science, and most importantly FUN! Lenora is a reader, but until today couldn't get her nanny to go to the Library. Once inside, Lenora slips away and finds herself in a secret Library, and herself an apprentice librarian. Her adventures in Calendars has her traveling through time with a malfunctioning robot vizier and her time in Maps takes her around the globe (literally) as she talks to whales and penguins on her search for an answer. But there are those that don't want answers, science, or truth. Can Lenora escape their creepy clutches and give Library patrons the answers they seek?

This is a great addition to an upper elementary library and a great way to interest kids in science, maps, libraries, and more. Reminds me of a Lemony Snicket book aimed for younger kids.

What a fun adventure book with an important message. As a librarian, I think all librarians are heroes and Lenora certainly is, making tough, daring choices all in the name of knowledge. Will there be a sequel? I certainly hope so.

A super imaginative, action packed library adventure. Fans of Mr. Lemoncello's Library and Roald Dahl will enjoy this story about a young girl who stumbles into a fantastical library and is put to a series of daunting task her quest to become a librarian. Recommended for 4th/5th grade.

**Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. **

Wow- this book started off so strong! I was smiling, shaking my head, and laughing as I got introduced to the main character. Lenora. She is tons of fun. I love that she wore her loose dress in preparation for fun on this especially exciting day.... (so relatable!). At the beginning, I was sure this was going to be a 5 star read for me.

Lenora finds herself at the public library and her many adventures spin off from there. She meets so many different characters from robots to insects, and works her way all over the library (and all over time zones, other planets, and all over Earth!) as she tries to help patrons find answers to their questions. This is a true celebration of curiosity and learning with a spunky heroine to lead the way.

I felt that Lenora lost some of her voice/pizazz in exchange for the writing focusing on each of the many adventures thrown her way, and it would have been nice to experience more depth/ growth from her as time went on, she has so much potential. I'm a character driven reader and Lenora had so much working for her from the start, as did a few of the other characters who didn't ever quite get the depth I was craving , that I think that's the main place where this one didn't knock my socks off. The premise itself and the fun she has all make it right up my alley otherwise. This was a fun, adventure-packed, quick read. I am really curious to see what younger humans think of this one!

3.5 for me for now.

Book lovers young and old will love this simple and sweet story for middle readers. Reminiscent of The Phantom Tollbooth, Lenora discovers a secret section of the library that takes her on A Wrinkle in Time-esque journey. Drafted into librarian service, she will learn how to wield knowledge to combat the forces of darkness. Readers will learn facts and have fun in this quick moving adventure, leaving them with a Narnia-like hope for more stories about Lenora and the Library of Ever.

Obviously, the author is a lover of librarians and libraries. As a librarian I am also. There was a good story line but didn't care for of the episodes..
If the targeted audience is tweens this may be an okay book. Any older I believe would see it too preachy. One with a good imagination may enjoy als0. The author tries too hard to educate the reader about facts ie. whales travel in pods. I find some of that hurts the flow of the story.
The key theme is Knowledge is light which is well portrayed by the story. Others want to censor books/learning though the word censorship was never used. There are other good lessons and teaching of very good attributes but are very blatant. Help others and they will help you in your time of need. All the animals Lenora helped along the way came back at the end to save her. Don't quit. Determination will get you what you want or where you want to be. Evil things are black/dark which is not always true. Things of the past are forgotten and not everything can be recorded/remembered from the past but what we do have is important. Truth is needed even if it hurts, causes hardships or heartbreak. We shouldn't discourage questions.
I myself would like to know more about the character of Malachi. It is the last book of the Old Testament and wondered if there was any connection.
Obviously a first book to a series for ages 9 to 11.

This book will be a big hit with middle grade readers! Engaging text and dialogue, fun plot, and relatable, likable characters. Highly recommended for elementary libraries and classroom libraries for grades 3 and up.

This book is a complete delight. It's hard to describe, but it has a classic feel with a rambling plot similar to Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman. I read it aloud to my kids, and I thought my 12-year-old might not be into it - it feels on the younger MG side - but she actually LOVED it. It's very unique and full of imagination. It's also quite different from many of the other library-set MGs out there.

I received this advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

Whyever would anyone want to read this book?
Why, every librarian on the planet will love it and want to share it with their patrons.
Lenora's enthusiasm for the job of a librarian and the exhilarating smell of old books is contagious!
Best of all...I sense another volume of Lenora's continued adventures on the horizon!

The Library of Ever grabs you up and takes you on an adventure through a magical library! I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone who just loves learning and books. It has a wonderful main character full of spunk and curiosity. A perfect blend of adventure, learning, and excitement!

"Trapped in Genghis Khan’s tomb with a killer robot..." That's one of Lenora's many adventures in the special library she finds while getting away from her nanny. At the start of the book, Lenora behaves like a spoiled brat, but soon she gets to help out the librarian and proves to be really talented. I hope there are more adventures.
PS. I am a librarian, so my review could be somewhat biased.
I received a copy of this book from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A brilliantly imaginative story combining history, science, and the importance of knowledge into a children’s adventure story centered around the most impressive, awesome, majestic, humongous library of all time.

Lenora — our eleven-year old heroine — escapes from her (luckily) inattentive nanny through a secret arch of her local library and lands in the aforementioned “Library of Ever.” Confronted with a ten-foot tall stern and very pointy librarian who insists that only library employees may enter, she applies for and is immediately granted a job as the 4th Assistant Apprentice Librarian. Her largely self-directed adventures take her through the Calendar help desk, the cartography section, and a live-action diorama of Bubastes (look this up too!). She helps penguins find their way home, a tardigrade (yes — this is a real thing — look it up!) get directions to Alpha Centauri, and a King in the year 8000 unravel some trouble with time. My absolutely favorite part is when she dons a pheromone interpreter (in her nostrils) in order to help her understand a group of troubled ants. Most importantly throughout, she works to fight off the Forces of Darkness personified as beings dressed in overcoats and bowler hats, who seek to extinguish the light of knowledge in the world around them.

This should be required reading for all middle schoolers — an ode to librarians and a concise and pithy description of the importance of libraries and knowledge freely available to all.