The Lost Library

By: Rebecca Stead, Wendy Mass

Narrated by: Christopher Gebauer, Jennifer Blom, Rob Dircks

Length: 4 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

This program features multicast narration.

"This audiobook, written by two experts in middle-grade fiction, is a perfect family listen."—AudioFile

The New York Times bestselling authors of Bob, Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, introduce young listeners to a little free library guarded by a cat and a boy who takes on the mystery it keeps.

When a mysterious little free library (guarded by a large orange cat) appears overnight in the small town of Martinville, eleven-year-old Evan plucks two weathered books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to change.

Evan and his best friend Rafe quickly discover a link between one of the old books and a long-ago event that none of the grown-ups want to talk about. The two boys start asking questions whose answers will transform not only their own futures, but the town itself.

Told in turn by a ghost librarian named Al, an aging (but beautiful) cat named Mortimer, and Evan himself, The Lost Library is a timeless story from award-winning authors Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass. It’s about owning your truth, choosing the life you want, and the power of a good book (and, of course, the librarian who gave it to you).

A Macmillan Audio production from Feiwel & Friends.

©2023 Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"When a makeshift Little Free Library appears on the town green, almost 20 years after the mysterious fire that burned down the town library, the people of Martinville are drawn together once more to not just solve the mystery of the fire but also to decide what it means for their own fates. Mass and Stead employ a rich cast of characters—including ghost librarians, graduating fifth-graders, mice, and a cat—to dive into the heart of Martinville. ... Full of heart, sly narration, and Stead’s expected air of mystery, this is well suited for lovers of books and libraries and novels featuring ensemble casts."—Booklist

"A boy who visits a little free library gets more than he bargained for when he becomes a sleuth caught up in the middle of his town’s most enduring mystery.... A page-turner with striking characters and a satisfying puzzle at its heart."—Kirkus Reviews

A haunting story about the soulful experience of reading books.

This is a Newbery winner IMHO...it is a unique blend of a mystery story and a mystical experience of loving books....for all ages...

It was ok.

It was a cute story. A few twists and turns, but for the most part a bit bland. No action at all. I think it’s supposed to be a mystery, but it was a bit of a let down.

I loved like the cat and I love that they were like all together and they all had different voices.

If you’re looking for a book to read, you should try this book and if you don’t like it at first, you should either try this book or the library of the lost and found I’ve gotten into really cool library books and just they’re all ״magical״ you could say.

Wonderful book!

The Lost Library is full of mystery and surprises. It’s quaint and quirky and entertaining. The story is told in both first and third person creating a unique reader experience. This book will make you think while making its way into your heart.

Charming!

What a charming and cozy story! I truly loved the characters and the balance the authors gave to each. A lot of books with different perspectives tend to have cuts to character stories that are boring while others are fascinating and makes you dread when the character changes, but this one kept a good balance and all the stories were equally intriguing.

I might not be the intended audience

I grabbed this audiobook because my favorite narrator was involved, so Rob Dircks is entirely to blame. The story is clearly intended for a young audience and I intend to introduce it to my children when they're a bit older. There's a pretty solid mystery, a fun cast of characters, and a hefty dose of Anthropomorphism.

Gebauer provides narration for a young student that is approaching the end of elementary school. Blom handles narrating an assistant librarian. Dircks is a cat. Each of the readers handles their respective role very effectively. Gebauer switches voices between characters without a hitch and cleanly conveys the character's feelings with his reading. Blom's somber and quiet read fits the characters she narrates very well and presents the first true climax of the novel with heart. Dircks shares a quirky and somewhat mischievous representation of the cat and other creatures that fill out the rest of the cast.

I don't really have much to complain about The Lost Library. There is some ambiguity surrounding a character for portions of the novel, but I feel like that is an intentional choice made by the authors. It doesn't detract from the story. The resolution feels less than thrilling, but the story, as a whole, isn't supremely epic. Some of the secrets were predictable, but I can see them also being surprise twists for a less experienced reader. All in all, I felt like my time was well spent with this story.

I'll rate this one, "I enjoyed this story and hope my children will too. I blame Rob Dircks for this."

Not too shabby

Pretty good read. Was in the mood for a "Children's novel", and just happened to stumble upon this one. The cover spoke to me. It's a good story, not too much action. I feel if expanded this could be a mini series or film.

Not too shabby.