The Library of Unruly Treasures

When neither of her parents are available to care for her, 11-year-old Gwen MacKinnon is sent to Dalgety, Mass., to stay with her great-uncle Matthew, whom she’s never met. Accustomed to her parents’ unpleasant attitudes, Gwen is caught off guard by Uncle Matthew’s kind nature. His sweet-yet-grumpy dog, Pumpkin, guides Gwen to the nearby library founded by her ancestors. There, Gwen visits the upstairs children’s room, in which kids under six claim to communicate with the Lahdukan, small mythical beings with eagle-like wings. Gwen is shocked to discover that she can see and hear them, too. What’s more, as a MacKinnon, she has inherited her family’s role as the liaison between human- and Lahdukan-kind. As Gwen learns of the Lahdukan’s lore, which speaks of ravenous beasts and other perils she might endure to protect her loved ones, she fights despair over her imminent departure from Dalgety. Illustrations by Phelan (Big Changes for Plum!), rendered in smudgy b&w pencil, portray people-focused scenes that complement themes of togetherness and courage throughout this cozy standalone fantasy novel by Birdsall (the Penderwicks series). Gwen’s grappling with her ancestral destiny alongside conflicting feelings about her parents and upbringing are compassionately wrought across a tender story whose tone evokes the warmth of a much-needed hug. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Barbara S. Kouts, Barbara S. Kouts Literary. (Aug.)