This week is National Library Week, and I am always eager to celebrate my favorite place! Some of my fellow bloggers and I recently shared our favorite memories of going to the library (you can read those here!), so this week, I wanted to share some of our favorite fictional scenes that take place in the library!
1. When I Grow Up by Tim Minchin, illustrated by Steve Antony
This book is a beautiful combination of Tim Minchin's tony Award-winning lyrics from Matilda the Musical (hello, iconic library scene!) and Steve Antony's artwork. It follows a group of children as they imagin all of the things they will be able to do once they grow up. One of my favorite spreads is this image of the four kids in the library!
2. The Magician's Hat by Malcolm Mitchell
The first picture book by Super Bowl champion and literacy crusader Malcolm Mitchell is ALL about the power of libraries! It is set in a library on Family Fun Day, when the librarians bring in a magician who shows kids that the best magic of all can be found in a book.
3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Like any true book nerd, Hermione is my kindred spirit (and, let's be honest, there is an amazing library scene in every Harry Potter book because what's better than the Hogwarts library?!), but this quote has to be one of my favorites:
"Harry —I think I've just understood something! I've got to go to the library!"
And she sprinted away, up the stairs.
"What does she understand?" said Harry distractedly, still looking around, trying to tell where the voice had come from.
"Loads more than I do," said Ron, shaking his head.
"But why's she got to go to the library?"
"Because that's what Hermione does," said Ron, shrugging. "When in doubt, go to the library."
4. The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
In The Parker Inheritance, twelve-year-old Candice Miller finds a letter that contains a series of clues that lead her and her friend Brandon Jones down a path to solve a puzzle that leads them deep into their town's history, full of ugly deeds and forgotten heroes. But before all of that happens, there are also some really great scenes that happen with Candice and Brandon — who are both book lovers! — in the town library.
Early on, Candice and her mom go to the library to sign up for library cards and Candice introduces Brandon to some of her favorite authors, like Judy Blume.
Candice and Brandon also return to the library throughout the book — it's where they learn about the Negro Leagues and about Althea Gibson, the African American woman who won Wimbledon in 1957.
Suffice it to say, if you're looking for fellow library lovers, The Parker Inheritance is the perfect read!
5. Hurricane Child by Kheryn Callender
"I love the library, and I've spent many of my afternoons there, so I think it's possible that the answers I need—everything I need to know about the woman in black—can be found here."
Caroline Murphy, the main character of Hurricane Child, loves the library just as much as I do! It's the place she turns when she needs answers t her questions about the spirit that seems to be following her.
6. Sparrow by Sarah Moon
In Sparrow, the school library is a place of solace for 14-year-old Sparrow. Mrs. Wexler, the school librarian, is the one teacher who really understood her. She let her eat lunch in the library office and knew exactly what books Sparrow would love. But when Mrs. Wexler dies unexpectedly, Sparrow's world unravels.
Sparrow's road to healing is a beautiful one to read, and the story of the difference Mrs. Wexler made to her is one that stayed with me long after I finished.
7. Hold Fast by Blue Balliett
"Inside this building, the world had felt generous, limitless, like a safe spot for dreams to grow."
Libraries and books are at the core of this beloved book by Blue Balliett! Eleven-year-old Early Pearl's father, Dash, works as a library page with the Chicago Public Library's Harold Washington branch where he sorts, shelves and processes books, and his dream is to one day get his library science degree. But when Dash mysteriously disappears and danger starts to close in on the Pearl family, Early decides that she's going to follow the clues to track down her father.
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Do you have a favorite scene that takes place in a library? I'd love to hear about it! Tweet us @Scholastic with your recommendations!
