Ninja Librarians

In library school we covered the values of librarianship many times.  We discussed making sure that our personal viewpoints did not influence our book purchases in order for a wide variety of viewpoints to be found in our libraries.  We went over the idea that every book has a reader and every reader a book.  We even practiced writing letters of defense for having a controversial book in our collection.  However, these grand values get forgotten about in the daily duties.  This book reminded me what an awesome responsibility it is to be a librarian--protecting the freedom of speech, making ideas known, and finding every book its reader.




Title: The Ninja Librarians: the Accidental Keyhand
Author: Jen Swann Downey
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Ages: 10-13

Goodreads Description:

Just a little story about your average sword-swinging, karate-chopping, crime-fighting ninja librarians

Dorrie Barnes had no idea an overdue library book would change her life. When Dorrie and her brother Marcus chase her pet mongoose into the janitor's closet of 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.

Dorrie would love nothing more than to join the society. But when a traitor surfaces, she and her friends are the prime suspects. Can they clear their names before the only passage back to the twenty-first century closes forever?

Review: 

This book was packed with fun and adventure.  Full of secret libraries, time traveling, ninja-like librarians, crime fighting, and adventure.  Downey has created a magical fun world--almost reminiscent of Hogwarts-- at the Petrarch Library where food and animals can be read into life, automatic translating happens, and time traveling is possible.  All the while, the importance of the freedom of speech and access to differing viewpoints is emphasized.  This fast paced, adventurous book will be a perfect fit for many middle grade students.