Cover Image: The Night Librarian

The Night Librarian

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This was an extremely well-done graphic novel! As a prior elementary teacher, I would've loved to have this book in my classroom library. Not only do I 100% believe children will love this, but I enjoyed this myself. Think night at the Smithsonian but in a library. I especially loved that so many different books were referenced throughout the story. Despite this being a middle-grade novel, the author mentions books that are well above middle-grade level yet still prominent and exposes kids to higher-level stories. I will absolutely be getting this for my own kids as well as adding this to my teacher gift list.

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Twins find themselves pulled into a topsy turvy adventure when they lose their father's valuable first edition Dracula. To find the book they join Ms. Literati, a Night Librarian, who can pull characters in and out of books. It becomes clear that something is afoot in the stacks, so the siblings join up with a crew of fictional pals to put things right.

This felt like a middle grade novel that did not always feel kid-friendly. The literary references require a lot of background information, and even the "pop" references are on the older side. The pacing also felt off to me. However, a lot of this is redeemed by beautiful art and character design. The coloring is clear and a great entry point for kids learning about symbolism and motif.

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This was a fun fast paced middle grade graphic novel but still read as a complete story. Page and Turner discover a night librarian during their rather unfortunate loss of their Dads book they "borrowed" while he was out of town. Through their magical adventures they are thrown into book settings and make new friends with different characters. Of course the hunt for their missing book is still on. Alojg the way a mystery appears. All the night librarians have been fired and some strange evil thing is roaming the empty library at night. Turner being the reserved worry time keep Page on her toes and in line during these book adventures.The illustrations are great. Fun read.

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A literary graphic novel about friendship, family, and adventure. What most people don't know is that characters get bored in their stories and so they decide to go adventuring outside of their books every now and then. This can cause chaos, and so the job of Night Librarian came about (which, I am once again, jealous of the creative librarian jobs in fiction because I would love this). Turner and Page are twins who have very absent parents, and an even more absent nanny, and so they want to fund out how much their father's first edition of Dracula is worth. Only, the book runs off into the library and they meet the Night Librarian, who is now dealing with an absolute kerfuffle as some characters are escaping that shouldn't be. They team up with a whole slew of characters to defeat the baddies and learn that communication is ever so important, along with expressing your feelings. I enjoyed the twist with Dracula and I guessed who the villain was pretty quickly, but this is a great introduction to a lot of classic characters kids might not know. I enjoyed it a lot, the graphics were fun, and it makes a nerd like me very happy. But I was amused that the fictional characters all had to use the bathroom, and then the author makes no mention of their characters using the bathroom, hopefully the line isn't long when they're let out of their book.

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I predict that this one will be a hit. It just keeps getting stranger and stranger, but somehow the strangeness works. Not sure how well kids will respond to the classic characters, but I think they'll love the night librarians' quest. Great for fans of the popular Bookwanders series.

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Twins Turner and Page Reed spend a great deal of time inside the New York Public Library because their parents often leave the twins behind as they travel the world for work. One day, in an attempt to better understand its worth, Turner and Page accidentally lose track of one of their father’s precious books inside the immense New York Public Library. In order to recover it, the two siblings are introduced to a world filled with magic and adventure that appears only after the library has closed for the evening. Together with the mysterious Night Librarian, Turner and Page must do what they can to restore order before the library’s doors open to the public the following day.

This clever graphic novel imagines life inside the New York Public Library after the doors are closed, much like the Night at the Museum movies do with natural history museums. Limited text and ample illustrations tell the story, and readers of all skill levels will appreciate the design of this book. Whether readers are immersed in the storytelling itself or are focused on the frequent asides and references to popular literature throughout the story, there is something for everyone within the pages of this novel. Additionally, despite clear pronouns, the main characters do not conform to traditional gender norms, which helps to make the book even more accessible to a wider audience of readers.

Like many novels for middle grade readers, the main characters are young—ten years old—and they have been tasked to resolve obstacles greater than one might expect for their age. Not only are they involved with the primary elements of the novel itself, but the twins’ backstory of having distant and incassessible parents implies that they have had to be independent much longer than is observed in this story. Young readers will appreciate not only the confidence placed in Turner and Page through the characters of this book, but readers will also find comfort in the nostalgic element of rediscovering favorite storybook characters from their childhood. Excellent in both writing and presentation, this book is a delight for library lovers of all ages.

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This is a book for people who love books. When neglected twins Page and Turner lose their dad's valuable book, they go out into the book world and have amazing adventures, meeting new friends and learning about their own bravery and resourcefulness. I will always have a soft spot for books where kids have adventures that their parents don't know about, but that give them a better understanding and bring them closer to their families. This graphic novel is also really fun because of all the book characters that are part of the action. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

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I really enjoyed this graphic novel, it had everything that I was looking for from the description. The art was everything that I was looking for and thought the characters worked with this story. I loved the use of trying to save New York Public Library and hope there is more in this universe.

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Engaging middle grade graphic novel about twins Page and Turner along with well-known book characters coming to life and escaping into the main branch of the New York Public
Library. Suspenseful as well as fun to encounter beloved characters. The library setting is magical, and Christopher Lincoln describes it in wonderful detail.
Thanks to Netgalley for an eARC.

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Really more of a 3.5 stars book. I again read this with my children in mind, and I think they would like it, and I think it has the potential to be a really strong series. I wish there were more jokes ( I always want more jokes in MG books, where are the jokes?!), and I loved the references to other stories new and old. I appreciated the blurbs for these books, especially since unlike their mom, my kids aren't familiar with as many of them. Though more then once, when reading a blurb, I thought "Spoilers!" I wish we got more of a sense of the actual Night Librarian. I wanted her to be more of a Doctor leading them on this wild journey instead of just disappearing most of it. The lesson about communicating was lovely. A lot of great potential, and I would definitely read and share this and the sequel with my kids.

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"The Night Librarian" by Christopher Lincoln offers a captivating blend of mystery, fantasy, and adventure that will enchant readers of all ages. Set in the midst of a bustling library, this novel introduces us to the enigmatic character of Elizabeth, a librarian with a secret—she has the ability to communicate with books.

Lincoln masterfully crafts a narrative that seamlessly weaves together elements of the supernatural with the everyday world of libraries and literature. As Elizabeth delves deeper into the mysteries of the library, readers are taken on a thrilling journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected discoveries.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is its vivid and imaginative portrayal of the library itself. Lincoln brings the setting to life with richly detailed descriptions that will make readers feel as though they are wandering the aisles alongside Elizabeth, surrounded by towering stacks of books and ancient manuscripts.

The characters in "The Night Librarian" are equally memorable, each with their own quirks and complexities. From the eccentric patrons who frequent the library to the enigmatic figures who lurk in its shadows, every character adds depth and intrigue to the story.

At its core, "The Night Librarian" is a tale about the power of books to transport us to other worlds and the magic that can be found within the pages of a good story. It's a book that will captivate readers from beginning to end, leaving them eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Elizabeth's extraordinary adventures.

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This was very cute story about libraries. I loved the illustrations and all the references to classic stories. I breezed through it.


thank you netgalley for the arc!

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Lincoln, Christopher, Night Librarian. Pgs. 256. Penguin Random House, 2024.

Twins, Page and Turner are curious about the family heirloom copy of Dracula, a first edition They decide to bring the rare edition to the library. While there, they start hearing loud thumping coming from the book. The night librarian is also curious about the book. The new director keeps cutting the night librarians. It turns out that the library has a secret and Page and Turner are determined to help. Can Page and Turner help the night librarian?

The plot is well developed and engaging. The world building is fun and draws the reader into the characters’ world. The characters are likable and well-developed. The pictures of this graphic novel only add to the story. Readers who like fantasy, adventure, and good vs. evil will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections. 5 stars, Gr 3 to 7.

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

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The Night Librarian is a middle grade graphic novel that follows twins, Page and Turner, as they discover that libraries are magic. They have to help save the library and their dads rare edition of Dracula.

This was a cute graphic novel! I loved the library setting and the book references throughout. The illustrations were great and so was the story. There was some humor sprinkled through as well. It’s a quick and fun read. I think a lot of book worm kids will enjoy this graphic novel!

Thanks so much to netgalley and Penguin for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

My son loved this book! He was especially a fan of the illustrations.

I personally thought it was a little slow but it was great for a young child who this book is actually written for.

Honestly it was a very cute book with a unique storyline. And since my kid is a fan of Night at the Museum AND Land of Stories this was definitely for him.

4/5 stars and will buy a physical copy for his shelf so he can read it again.

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4.5 stars rounded up!

What a fun story! If you want a night at the museum like story with the magic of fairytales and well known classics, this book is for you! Such a quick, cozy middle grade read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-Arc!

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