When a young girl with many fears and insecurites discovers she has a special role to fill, she rises to the occasion.

The Ladukhan population at the MacKinnon Library near Boston is in need of a new Qalba. When Gwen MacKinnon comes to stay with her Uncle Matthew and visits the library, she starts to notice strange things happening around her.

What a treat to have a new title from Jeanne Birdsall. Her Penderwick series was such a delight. Here is what I liked about this latest release:

🧚‍♂️🧚‍♀️The Ladukhan are tiny and can only be seen by humans six and under --unless you are a Qalba. They are old souls with a strong sense of history. They are in desperate need of a new home when the bulldozers and diggers come in to renovate the library.
🐶Pumpkin, Uncle Matthew's dog, is immediately taken with Gwen. He becomes her support dog and helper through the strange events of the summer. What a cutie!
🧔Uncle Matthew takes Gwen in when her parents are not making her a priority. He is a loving source of support from the start. His many variations on the word Ladukhan are endearing.
👩Gwen MacKinnon has no idea what she has ahead of her at Uncle Matthew's. What a delight to see her blossom in a nurturing and challenging environment.
📝Birdsall provides a pronunciation guide for all the Ladukhan phrases. There also many enlightening illustrations.

This was a hit for me and I have already purchased a copy to give to an 11-year-old I know. Thank you to Random House Childrens and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

3.5/5. Jeanne Birdsall is the author of my number one favorite series of all time, The Penderwicks, which I found at age 10 and grew up alongside the girls in the book as the other four books were released. Needless to say, I had such high hopes for this. While the premise - what if there were tiny magic critters that only kids under 6 and a rare chosen older kid could see? - is so creative and fun, most of the book was a bit boring, I struggled to suspend my disbelief (maybe because it's a modern, realistic fiction world?), and the characters' names were exceedingly hard to say and remember. With that said, the book is unique and imaginative, and I adored all of the humans, especially Uncle Matthew and Nora. I was so pleased by the ending. Also, I love the writing. Birdsall is excellent at revealing more of the scenery and action via dialogue instead of narration and that remains true here. Overall, I think middle schoolers would enjoy this if their reading level was high enough to manage the names.

I just finished this, and I love it so, so much. I can't even dream of putting it away on the shelf, because I want so badly to read it aloud to my children right away. It's going to be the perfect read aloud!

Jeanne Birdsall created an instant-classic that took The Borrowers (my childhood obsession!) and added a plot that is, frankly, much more engaging than Mary Norton's stories. My heart broke for the main character, Gwen, who is shocked by the love and kindness she receives from her great-uncle during the weeks she spends with him, a summer trip planned out of convenience for her neglectful parents. Unexpected kindness and wonders wait for her around every corner--not the least of which being the existence of tiny people who live in the library her ancestor founded.

I mentioned one childhood obsession. But the emotional arc of this story reminded me of another favorite: Anne of Green Gables. That's right. The Borrowers meets Anne of Green Gables. I wish I could write a book with a crossover comp like that...

Little writer digression here: crafting the story so we begin with what Gwen considers an absolute impossibility--the fact that she could be loved and cared for--paves the way for us all to go along with Gwen's acceptance of the slightly more believable reality that mysterious creatures exist and that she is their chosen protector. Just...brilliant. It's all timed so well, and every second pulls at your heartstrings.

Go find this one right away! I need to talk about it with someone!

Anyone who has enjoyed Jeanne Birdsall's enchanting Penderwicks series will be pleasantly surprised by another story of a childhood perhaps not quite as idyllic as the Penderwicks. But while the story tackles the more sobering subject of an unhappy home life, that fact is balanced by the literary magic infused throughout the pages of The Library of Unruly Treasures.

I have no idea what inspired that title, but I couldn't help thinking that everyone at some time in their life feels somewhat unruly, but I think the message that Birdsall aptly portrays is that treasures can come in interesting packages, such as kindly uncles, friendly librarians, and little creatures called Lahdukan.

Gwen, whose parents are divorced (and not always the most predictable), has been sent to spend a few weeks in the summer with an uncle she doesn't really know. Facing the fear of that big unknown is the first hurdle Gwen has to tackle. She is greeted warmly by her Uncle Matthew, and she can hardly believe her good fortune as he welcomes her into his home. It's just him and his dog, Pumpkin (having lost his wife and an empty nester with his daughter away at school). As Gwen navigates making friends with Pumpkin, a very friendly neighbor, Julia, and facing a roomful of unknown kids at the library story time, she begins to blossom and find her world slowly expanding. It lessens the sting of the neglect she has faced at the hands of her parents. Her hard experiences are addressed matter-of-factly and without a great amount of detail. Enough for children in similar situations to feel seen and understood, but not enough to add to their pain. Having a kind uncle able to care for her offers a fairy tale element--sort of like a modern day fairy godmother.

Gwen's summer is full of new and exciting experiences: gardening, cooking, and playing lots of imaginative games with Julia--like the one about the invisible creatures with wings who inhabit the Children's area of the library (and are unable to be seen by humans over the age of 6). Children often have imaginary friends and see creatures that don't exist, don't they? Her uncle is even willing to play along. But all that changes when Gwen sees them for herself. And imagine her surprise when she finds out that her cousin, Nora, also knows about them!

Readers will be drawn into this upper elementary story in which Gwen balances life between her distant parents and her wonderful uncle; between the world as we see it and the world behind a veil; between her disappointments of the past, and her wild hopes for the future. Through it all, Gwen discovers the ways that even a child may be called upon to be courageous enough to help someone in need. The Library of Unruly Treasures is a beautiful picture of the blessings just waiting to be discovered, no matter how unruly your life may seem. Grab your copy today to journey with Gwen through the magic and mishaps of pre-adolescence. Best of all is the message that magic happens whenever family and friends love and support you!

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of The Library of Unruly Treasures from #RandomHouseChildrens through #NetGalley for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.

Gwen is unexpectedly sent to live with her great Uncle Matthew for the summer because neither of her parents wants to bother with her, which is pretty ok with Gwen, It turns out Uncle Matthew is delighted to have her as a guest and works hard to make her feel welcome and happy.. His dog Pumpkin decides to like her almost immediately, which seems like a good sign. One of Gwen's first outings to the public library, where it turns out that there is a wonderful library, but also that the library was built by a distant relative of Gwen and Matthew's. And it turns out that the library is home of some magical creatures called Lahdukan. The Lahdukan are having a couple of big problems and they're hoping that Gwen can help solve them. This feels like an old fashioned kind of story in the best possible way-a cozy mystery with magical creatures and a very loving found family. There are themes of loyalty and protection, innocence and faith and problem solving and working through your fears. I loved this one and I think the kids are going to love it too.

Gwen is dumped at a previously unknown relatives house for a few weeks in the summer. Here she will learn what it like be loved and find joy in unexpected places like libraries and up oak trees. It turns out Gwen can see magical small people with wings and she is being called to be their rescuer, along with all the other people she has learned to love.
A wonderful adventure, an emotional delightful story and a very interesting trip to one of my favorite museums – The Isabella Stewart Gardner. Gwen is a tender child and I loved every moment of this story..

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for this DRC.
#TheLibraryofUnrulyTreasures #NetGalley

THE LIBRARY OF UNRULY TREASURES by Jeanne Birdsall (The Penderwicks) transported me back to the summer when I was around 10 years old. This is a book geared to 4th through 6th graders and I loved it. So did the professional reviewers at Booklist, Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal ("an essential purchase"), all of whom gave it a starred review. The novel tells the story of Gwen MacKinnon; she's only eleven years old and is sent to live with a distant uncle. Thankfully, he's a kind man who indulges her fascination with the Lahdukan, tiny, winged creatures who have their own language and live in the local library. Of course, readers need to turn up the imagination factor and accept the rather fanciful adventures – perfect for middle-grade readers. This book is described as a whimsical, heartwarming story with memorable characters and a blend of real and magical worlds. It contains beautiful drawings by Matt Phelan. A truly feel good, although totally implausible, story. Birdsall's devotion to her characters and the story is evident – she says that she wrote this book over eight years. Let’s hope she gives us another funny, brave hero soon!

As a bonus, I especially loved thinking about many of the titles on this list of Penderwicks readalikes:
https://www.bayviews.org/readalikes/penderwicks/

Eleven-year-old Gwen finds herself thrust into the care of her great-uncle Matthew, a stranger to her. Neglected as she is by her divorced parents, she quickly warms up to Uncle Matthew's love and kindness. As she settles into her visit, she discovers that the children in town under the age of six can all see the Lahdukan, a fairy-like folk living in the local library. Gwen learns that her role for the Lahdukan is an important one and tries to rise to the challenge of being seen for the first time in her life.

My classroom library is for readers in grades 5 to 8, and Birdsall's tale is definitely at the lower end of that range. This book would probably be most loved by students in grades 3 to 5 who are enchanted by the magical world of The Borrowers and the found family theme of Matilda. I don't read many books that I would recommend to third or fourth graders, but this one will be a favorite when those students come asking.

I loved the Penderwick books, so I was excited to read this book. I like the realistic parts of this book, but when the book enters the world of the Lahdukan (tiny creatures with wings), I lost interest. At first, I thought it was because I'm not a fan of fantasy, but I think it's also because those characters were never fully developed to the point where I felt invested in them. This should appeal to 3rd- to 5th-grade readers who enjoy imagining that other worlds coexist with the real world.

This is a fun read, with an interesting group of fantasy characters I've never heard of. The Ladhukan are a fun idea, with humor and attitude alongside honorable and loyal traits, they make for a rowdy and adorable group. Sweet and safe, The Library of Unruly Treasures offers an array of loveable, trustworthy, and unfailingly supportive adults. It's a lovely world for children to live and read in, but lacks a bit of tension. The only dangers are faceless machines, absent adults and the weather, non of which seems to offer real danger to any main characters. Gwen is a great main character, but could use one or two flaws, just to make life interesting. She is a little too wonderful, selfless and loyal, and seemingly has no lessons to learn about herself.

The author of The Penderwicks gives us another classic-styled middle grade novel that is partly inspired by her love of The Borrowers. Although this book has a timeless feel, it is a modern setting (think cell phones) and the protagonist, Gwen, is reading recently published books that middle grade readers might be familiar with. There is indeed a library, but most of the action takes place outside of the library. Set in Massachusetts, the author also weaves in some Boston art history. All the characters are quite kind and supportive to one another. This is a sweet story and an adventure with a splash of fantasy. Additionally, there are illustrations throughout. All-in-all, young readers should enjoy this latest offering from Mrs. Birdsall.

This was such a fun read! Gwen has horrible parents and is sent to live with her uncle for the summer. At the local library she is introduced to the Ladhukan, tiny creatures with wings. I loved everything about this story! There were a lot of Ladhukan characters to keep up with, but that did not detract from the story.
I would recommend this to all grade levels, especially those readers who enjoyed Matilda. It would make a great class read-aloud for younger grades.
Thank you to RandomHouse Children’s and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this story was a great mystery for young readers with a big imagination. It did remind me of the book series The Borrowers from when I was little. I think students grades 3rd and up would enjoy this novel.

Gwen MacKinnon's is flying across the country to stay with a never before seen great-uncle. Her parents have other plans and don't have room in their life or heart for her. So she's unprepared for the warm welcome she receives from Uncle Matthew and his intelligent dog named Pumpkin. And the surprises keep coming when after a trip to the local library, which an ancestor built, Gwen sees tiny creatures with wings. Lanukan, are quick to point out that they are not birds or fairies. Realizing that she can see them past the childhood threshold, the Lanukan need Gwen's help. The prophecies state that she must help them find a new home. But how can a girl, without a home of her own, help the Lanukan?

Why I started this book: Immediately requested the ARC when I saw Birdsall's name.

Why I finished it: Charming reminder that courage comes in all shapes, and that finding family is a gift, a challenge and a reward. I can't wait to listen to the audio next month.

Jeanne Birdsall writes the best dogs. Beyond that, there’s so much to love about this book: adventure, overcoming fears, delightful mythical beings, and a little girl finding a place to belong. I loved reading The Penderwicks with my children and I think that they will enjoy this title even more due to its fantastical elements.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s for providing the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book had my heart from the very beginning. Gwen's relationship with her Uncle Matthew is lovely, and the Lahdukans, in their Borrowers-esque magic, make me wish I worked at that library! I can't wait to get this book into the hands of readers, who will fall in love with it as I did.

It's been many years since I've read and enjoyed The Penderwicks, and I was excited to see a new title from Jeanne Birdsall. This author has a way of making make-believe seem so realistic! When circumstances require Gwen to spend a couple weeks with her (great) Uncle Matthew, she isn't even upset. Neither of her parents seem to have time or space in their lives for her, and Uncle Matthew is nothing but welcoming and kind. He even has the most interesting dog, Pumpkin. Yet this is the least of the discoveries Gwen will make during her stay. She soon learns of the Lahdukan, tiny winged creatures who live in the MacKinnon library (which just happens to also be Gwen's last name.) Not only does she learn of these creatures, but she finds out that she is to be their next leader! Adventures (and some injuries) ensue. But the more Gwen learns, the harder it will be for her to leave and go back with her dad. Although the intrigue and adventure takes center stage, readers will also feel all of the feels as Gwen finds what it feels like to love and be loved. I highly recommend this title to anyone who loves a good adventure, imaginary creatures, and heartfelt emotion.

I received an electronic ARC from Random House Children's | Knopf Books for Young Readers through NetGalley.
I truly hope this is the first of several books about Gwen and her adventures as a Qalba for the Lahdukan groups. Birdsall brings readers on this adventure as Gwen is shuttled off to a relative she has never met. Readers will learn more about her backstory as the book progresses but huge pieces of information are provided right away. She is delighted to be with her Uncle Matthew but isn't sure how to respond to the open love and acceptance he offers. She learns to trust him and to be more open in interactions with others. I confess her inability to speak to the teenage boy next door was a little much but added humor. She learns about the Lahdukans from her younger next door neighbor, Julia, and accepts them as her make believe friends. She is stunned to meet them and discover they are real and look to her for help solving a major problem. I love that she has to conquer her fear of heights and fear of never belonging to save them and to save herself.
Those who have read Birdsall's other books will value her style of writing that opens the world to readers of all ages.

Three stars honestly feels fairly generous. I was hoping for a book of literary reference. That did not happen. I was also expecting better writing than I walked into. Very simplistic in its approach, this book is as others have stated a rendition of “The Borrowers”. We do not get into the lives of the characters as much as one would hope. This is definitely targeted to a younger age than I was expecting. I think the age range for readability is about 8-10. However there is a boy girl relationship in the book that you can tell is a childlike infatuation. So I wouldn’t really want my 8-10 year old reading it. Once again, tricky to rate. There are plenty of good books out there, therefore I think it would be okay to just skip past this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to preview this book.

Last night, I read The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall in almost one sitting, very much the way I’d have read it as a child. There were moments I wasn’t parallel-thinking of the news, and those are the focus of my review. This is a charm of a novel, and in the quality of the writing, the tone, and the depth, it is very similar to the Penderwicks books.
The story shares qualities with the authors I read as a child: E. Nesbit, Zilpha Keatley Snyder, and Edward Eager all came to mind as I read. There’s a quiet strength here, and yet at times I felt like Birdsall was holding back, going easy on the reader. To be fair, I felt this way about the last two Penderwicks stories. It isn’t that I need a story to be gritty to feel real, it’s that the misery – and there is deep sadness in this book – felt like it had been given a modesty vest.
Gwen Mackinnon is eleven – the age all US protagonists of similar stories must be – and has difficult parents who neglect her, passing her to and fro like a misdirected parcel.
She goes to stay with her Uncle Matthew, who is - and forgive my tone but this is precisely where I struggle with Birdsall - a lovely man with a lovely daughter and a lovely dog in a lovely house in a lovely town. Had that been the whole of it, I'd have stopped reading ten pages in. I don't care for unalloyed lovely, nor did I as a child.
But this story has the Lahdukan, a small people, just 8 inches high or so. And they were absolutely fantastic: they were what made this book work for me, and in spite of my lukewarm feelings toward a little girl who I firmly believe I'd have liked better had she ever gotten angry or simply behaved and spoken like a child rather than a tiny 1950s Ivy League undergraduate. There is a weird liminal space in my experience of this novel between the Lahdukan, who were realer to me than any single human in the story, and Gwen, Uncle Matthew, et al who felt staged the way a house someone is trying to sell gets staged.
That aside, since you're not here to find out that a middle-aged person has Strong Opinions on preciousness, I do highly recommend this book. The Lahdukan are all so individual and well-developed, and their scenes so clear that they were a joy. I hope Birdsall writes more about them, and I'd adore to see their fate in the hands of my favorite character in this book, little Julia, who does get loud, bossy, and angry, and who I fervently hope does not outgrow any of those things.
This novel will appeal to readers who enjoy books with adventure that colors within the lines of comfort, and would make a great read-aloud suited to cosy evenings.
I received a copy of The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.