Library Girl

After secretly living in the public library for the last eleven years, Essie must learn to adapt to a world that's not as perfect as the stories she's grown up with in this heartfelt middle-grade novel from Newbery Honor author Polly Horvath.

Essie has grown up in the public library, raised in secret by the four librarians who found her abandoned as a baby in the children's department. With four mothers and miles of books to read, Essie has always been very happy living there.

But now that she is eleven, Essie longs for a little more freedom . . . and maybe a friend her own age. She seems to get her wish when her moms let her go by herself to the mall and then on her second trip there, she meets G.E., a mysterious boy who looks so much like her she can't help but think they may be twins. Maybe he was raised by four dads in the department store. Maybe his story is intertwined with hers, and their happy ending is as one big family.

But as she gets to know him better, she learns that nothing is as simple as it seems in her stories — not even her own past .. .

Reviews

"This whimsical story is rich with quirky, lovable characters, the warmth of found family and an unexpected twist." — The Washington Post
“An original, outlandish romp of a tale. As always Horvath’s storytelling abilities are top-notch." — Horn Book

“The plot has enough twists to keep readers guessing until the end. A love letter to books and the dreamers who read them." Charming. — School Library Journal

"A lovely daydream for readers."--Kirkus Reviews

"Fast paced, richly imaginative, and written with abundant humor. An engaging choice for reading aloud."— Booklist

"My current favourite is Library Girl, a novel bound to engage any book-loving youngster." -- The Montreal Gazette