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.
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