LIBRARY GIRL

Taking solace in books, a bullied child finds her confidence (and future career) at the public library.

Before rising to fame as a librarian, literary critic, and author, Nancy Pearl was a lonely kid who “loved reading more than recess.” While the school library offers a safe haven from teasing classmates, it isn’t open on the weekends; this prompts Nancy to make her first trip to the Detroit Public Library. Two friendly librarians welcome the shy, light-skinned girl and help her find the items she’s most interested in: books about horses. Nancy then visits the branch every weekend, reading through the librarians’ recommendations and building confidence. Eventually, the librarians convince Nancy to “give a talk about horse books” to her fellow students. Spurred on by their encouragement, the equine-loving reader leans on her imagination to calm her nerves and get through her presentation. The talk magically transforms her relationships with her peers, who go from belittling her love of reading to “[circling] around her with questions about books.” Nancy grows up to be a librarian, “because reading, Nancy knew, helped people find dreams of their own…with the turn of every page.” Gentle, slightly fuzzy illustrations depict Nancy’s journey. Hampered by a clunky narrative and unfortunate pacing, however, this title doesn’t stand out in the growing field of engaging biographies for children. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A rather lackluster tale about the joy of reading and libraries.