3.75 stars. Multiple proofreading mistakes in the first 10 pages, and some convoluted description while world-building -- but it's really hard to not like a book about a secret society of librarians (or "lybrarians," as they are referred to in this story) who fight for intellectual freedom through the ages. Here's a list of skills the lybrarians and their apprentices are studying at Petrarch's Library: "'There's cataloguing, deception and impersonation, publishing law, stealth and illicit entry, library organization, unarmed combat, research skills, armed combat, book repair, fire and explosives...patron relations, horsemanship...water training, espionage, escape and concealment, meteorology, geography, field survival....'" Suddenly I feel that my library school was lacking. ;)I also liked the many cameos by historical figures, places, and expressive works (both famous and obscure). A story about a sword-swinging, crime-fighting ninja librarian. Nothing weird about that!Dorrie Barnes and her brother Marcus chase her pet mongoose through their local library, they accidentally fall through a passage into Petrarch's Library - the headquarters of a secret society of ninja librarians who have an important mission: protect those whose words have gotten them into trouble. Anywhere in the world and at any time in history. Who knew that one overdue library book could change your entire life. Characters from the past including Socrates and Cyrano de Bergerac make this educational and bring history into the minds of young readers. The mythical element of the Petrarch's Library add that element of magic and intrigue. This is a headquarters of a secret society of ninja librarians, where the chosen ones get trained and then sent out into different time periods. A great start to a new adventure that is sure to capture the minds of young readers. sukasareads.com@SukasaReads@ShilpaRaikar
What do You think about The Accidental Keyhand (2014)?
Wow! What an exciting book! So many twists and turns! Can't wait for the next book!
—mboots
I so want to be a Ninja Lybrarian!! I can't wait for the sequel!
—Ingrid
