The Library of Unruly Treasures
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- USD 8.99
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- USD 8.99
Descripción editorial
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this funny, winning, and unexpected adventure from the New York Times bestselling, National Book Award–winning author of the Penderwicks series, a girl finds herself an unlikely hero when she stumbles upon a big secret about little creatures.
“A tender story whose tone evokes the warmth of a much-needed hug.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
Gwen MacKinnon's parents are dreadful. Truly, deeply, almost impressively dreadful. So Gwen's not upset at all when she's foisted onto her never-before-seen Uncle Matthew for two weeks. Especially when it turns out he has a very opinionated dog named Pumpkin.
Things take a turn for the weird when Gwen makes a discovery in the local library. A discovery that involves tiny creatures with wings. And no, they're not birds. They're called Lahdukan. But why can only Gwen and the youngest children, gathered for storytime, see them?
The Lahdukan insist that Gwen is destined to help them find a new home. But how can a girl as unwanted, uncourageous, and generally unheroic as Gwen possibly come to the rescue? Pumpkin has a few ideas...
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
When neither of her parents are available to care for her, 11-year-old Gwen MacKinnon is sent to Dalgety, Mass., to stay with her great-uncle Matthew, whom she's never met. Accustomed to her parents' unpleasant attitudes, Gwen is caught off guard by Uncle Matthew's kind nature. His sweet-yet-grumpy dog, Pumpkin, guides Gwen to the nearby library founded by her ancestors. There, Gwen visits the upstairs children's room, in which kids under six claim to communicate with the Lahdukan, small mythical beings with eagle-like wings. Gwen is shocked to discover that she can see and hear them, too. What's more, as a MacKinnon, she has inherited her family's role as the liaison between human- and Lahdukan-kind. As Gwen learns of the Lahdukan's lore, which speaks of ravenous beasts and other perils she might endure to protect her loved ones, she fights despair over her imminent departure from Dalgety. Illustrations by Phelan (Big Changes for Plum!), rendered in smudgy b&w pencil, portray people-focused scenes that complement themes of togetherness and courage throughout this cozy standalone fantasy novel by Birdsall (the Penderwicks series). Gwen's grappling with her ancestral destiny alongside conflicting feelings about her parents and upbringing are compassionately wrought across a tender story whose tone evokes the warmth of a much-needed hug. Ages 8–12. Author's agent: Barbara S. Kouts, Barbara S. Kouts Literary.
