kristin o'donnell tubb
author of books for middle grade readers
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"For every book lover who fantasized about getting locked in the library overnight, The Story Collector is a dream come true!" ―New York Times-bestselling author Alan Gratz
In the tradition of E. L. Konisburg, this middle-grade mystery adventure is inspired by the real life of Viviani Joffre Fedeler, born and raised in the New York Public Library.
Eleven-year-old Viviani Fedeler has spent her whole life in the New York Public Library. She knows every room by heart, except the ones her father keeps locked. When Viviani becomes convinced that the library is haunted, new girl Merit Mubarak makes fun of her. So Viviani decides to play a harmless little prank, roping her older brothers and best friend Eva to help out.
But what begins as a joke quickly gets out of hand, and soon Viviani and her friends have to solve two big mysteries: Is the Library truly haunted? And what happened to the expensive new stamp collection? It's up to Viviani, Eva, and Merit (reluctantly) to findout.
"A bright, whimsical story with an engaging heroine and the most perfect of all settings ― the New York Public Library!" ―New York Times-bestselling author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
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reviews
From School Library Journal:
Gr 4-6–This vibrant historical mystery is based on real people and true events. Viviani Joffre Fedeler lives in the New York Public Library. As the daughter of the library’s superintendent, the stacks are her playground. When an expensive display of stamps is stolen, Vivani, her brothers, and her friend Eva try to solve the mystery. To complicate matters, they also think the library might be haunted by the spirit of a careless construction worker. When Viviani shares a little too much about her adventures at school, she draws the negative attention of worldly new student, Merit. She wants desperately to prove the ghost is real, solve the crime, and win Merit’s approval, but her questionable methods will leave readers chuckling. Viviani’s rambunctious nature makes her a heroine young readers will cheer for. Each chapter begins with a Dewey Decimal designation that provides a clue to what’s coming in the next chapter, and black-and-white illustrations throughout help capture the feel of the Roaring 20s setting. VERDICT A love letter to libraries and bibliophiles of all ages, this novel sings with warmth and charm; a good choice for most middle grade mystery collections.–Mandy Laferriere, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX
From Kirkus:
THE STORY COLLECTOR
A New York Public Library Book
Author: Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
Illustrator: Iacopo Bruno
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pages: 272
Price (Hardcover): $16.99
Publication Date: August 2018
ISBN (Hardcover): 9781250143808
A ghost may be haunting the New York Public Library in this novel published in partnership with the venerable institution. It's the Roaring '20s, and 11-year-old Viviani, nicknamed "Red," is living in the very best house, the main building of the New York Public Library (now called the Stephen A. Schwartzman Building). Her father is the building superintendent, and she and her brothers enjoy playing baseball using books as bases. But stories and storytelling are her true love. "Their truth was in their fun, not in their facts." With a friend and her two older brothers, Viviani tries to impress the new girl in her class, Merit Mubarak, just relocated from Egypt, with a tale that a ghost—real to Viviani but questionable to Merit—inhabits the building. At the same time, valuable stamps are stolen from a special exhibit, making their nighttime ghost-hunting expedition all the more exciting and scary. Tubb, who addresses readers as "Dear Friend," begins each chapter with a subject heading, Dewey Decimal number, and see-also references. Forget kids—librarians will love it. There are neighborhood references and interesting details about the library building, staff, special collections, and the lions out front. Viviani and her family are based in fact and were white. Bruno's line drawings help establish the time period. The perils of preteen friendship, ghost-hunting, and solving a theft make for pleasant reading. (author's note, timeline, archival photographs) (Historical fiction. 9-12)