Library Mule of Cordoba
by Wilfrid Lupano Illustrated by Leonard Chemineau
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Pub Date Sep 24 2024 | Archive Date Dec 05 2024
Publisher Spotlight | Ablaze
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Description
A 2024 JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION
Here's the story of what happens when saving the world's knowledge from destruction depends on the worst mule in history!
The Caliphate of Al-Andalus, Spain, 976. The Caliphate has been blessed with a period of peace, culture, and science for nearly sixty years. The Caliph Abd al-Rahman III and his son al-Hakam II made Cordoba the Western capital of learning. But al-Hakam II dies young, and his son is only ten years old.
One of his viziers, Amir, seizes the opportunity to take power. Radical clergymen, in exchange for their support of the illegitimate pretender, want to see the 400,000 books in Cordoba's library burn!
The night before the biggest bonfire ever, the head librarian, a chubby eunuch named Tarid, gathers up all the books he can and loads them onto the back of a passing mule. He takes off in the hopes of saving what he can of universal knowledge.
Joined by a young copyist and a former apprentice who went on to become a thief and vagabond, Tarid and his lazy, over-burdened "bibliomule" set out on a madcap adventure: crossing nearly all of Spain with Berber mercenaries in hot pursuit!
A Note From the Publisher
Ages 13 and up
Advance Praise
Junior Library Guild Selection
Junior Library Guild Selection
Available Editions
EDITION | Hardcover |
ISBN | 9781684972791 |
PRICE | $24.99 (USD) |
PAGES | 272 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
This was a really fun and informative read. I learned so much about Muslim influence on Spain and the world at large. The art was vibrant and the characters were well fleshed out.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for me to review!
I REALLY enjoyed this book. It's about books!!! And a mule who just wants to eat one specific extra tasty book!!! The art is well done, and the limited color palette really lends itself to this style. Lots of interesting history included (definitely read the last few pages of notes!!). Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys books about books (and mules)!!!
Set in Spain during the year 976, a corrupt ruler plans to burn an ancient library to further his own political and religious motives. Fortunately, a librarian and his two accomplices pile up as many books as they can the night before the big fire and steal off into the night. Unfortunately, their transportation is the worst mule in history - can our earnest crew save the world’s knowledge before succumbing to the threats of their time?
I thought this book was a fantastic read! The colourful graphics are vivid and both compliment and add interesting additions to the text, and while the themes are heavy (censorship, book banning, and intellectual freedom), both the text and graphics add lightness and humour. I agree a 13+ age range would be appropriate, as the story can be understood on many levels.
It is an interesting and timeless story with real origins (a brief textual history of the time is included at the end) - and the message is just as important today as it would’ve been during the period when this was set. I think this would be very appropriate for discussions within the classroom at a junior/senior high school level, as the visual appeal, humour, and pacing will keep readers entertained, in addition to the potential for broader discussions about the themes.
“Although libraries are regularly attacked, they do not disappear, they only change owners.” (p. 263)
Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher Spotlight/Ablaze for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had never heard of this story, and this was such a fun way to learn about it. The illustrations and humor reminded me a bit of Asterix. I can't wait til this comes in our JLG books.
Thank you Publisher Spotlight, Ablaze, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this book. This beautifully illustrated (or should I rather say illuminated) book describes the daring rescue of the small portion of the grand library of Córdoba from the power hungry caliphate. Written as a fast-paced adventure with an unlikely set of characters, this was a truly enjoyable read of historical fiction.