The Secret Library

Starred review from February 12, 2024
Magoon (Chester Keene Cracks the Code) champions self-determination while examining race and gender constructs in this high-spirited, South Carolina–set fantasy. Dally Peteharrington, 11, is
devastated when her mother won’t let her join Adventure Club because its schedule conflicts with her economics tutoring—lessons Dally needs to eventually succeed her mother as head of Peteharrington Enterprises. Never mind that Dally doesn’t want to run the family business and is grieving the death of Grandpa, who encouraged exploration and fun. To rebel, Dally opens an envelope Grandpa left her that her mom had been keeping until Dally’s 21st year. Inside is a map to an enchanted library. The books within contain secrets pertaining to Dally and her family, and act as portals to the moments when those secrets occurred, were revealed, or were shared. Dally finds her housekeeper’s candy stash, learns how her parents actually met, and crews a pirate ship with an ancestor. Unbeknownst to Dally, however, there are secrets about
herself she has yet to uncover. Whimsical worldbuilding, swashbuckling action, and buoyant third-person narration complement Magoon’s vibrant character portraits and twisty, nuanced plot. Dally is biracial (Black and white); the supporting cast is intersectionally diverse. Ages 8–12. Agent: Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown.

February 15, 2024
Grades 4-7 Dally's maternal grandfather has died, and she feels quite alone since he was the one person who understood her love of adventure. Dally's mother has run the family business efficiently for some time, and she's training her only child to take her place someday, but 11-year-old biracial Dally has her doubts. When she discovers the Secret Library, an amazing, magical place in which each book holds a secret, Dally often chooses books that transport her into the past to observe and interact with her ancestors. These experiences help her understand topics that her mother won't discuss, including her father, who died when she was small. Eager for action and curious about her family's mysterious history, she takes chances and makes discoveries. The story is full of clever touches, including the librarian's responsibility to clothe Dally appropriately for each time-travel destination. Her adventures aboard a nineteenth-century treasure-hunting pirate ship are particularly exciting. While the episodic structure of Dally's adventures occasionally slows the story's pace, the Secret Library itself is a memorable, original concept within an involving novel.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 15, 2024
A restless, adventure-seeking tween finds herself in a special library. Eleven-year-old Delilah "Dally" Peteharrington is struggling with the death of her grandfather and the loss of the love, acceptance, and excitement he brought to her life. Her mother grieves by becoming more rigid, insisting on lessons to prepare Dally to take over the family business. After her mother refuses to allow her to join an after-school club, Dally steals an envelope Grandpa left her, which her mom has insisted on locking away until she's come of age. Inside, she finds a mysterious map that leads her to a library full of books that are portals to the past. From them, Dally learns things her mother refuses to talk about and has adventures she never could have imagined, including going on a pirate ship. Dally is biracial; her mom is white, but Dally knows little about her deceased Black father, and the more she learns about both sides of her family, the more intrigued she becomes. It becomes clear that her destiny is greater than simply assuming the place her mother is preparing her for. Multiple award-winner Magoon has crafted an engrossing story that skillfully combines a coming-of-age story with fantasy and historical fiction. Dally is an irresistible protagonist, full of curiosity and longing for the joy she experienced with her grandfather. The lively, well-written narrative contains many surprises, pulling readers into Dally's life and the incredible choices she must make. A deeply satisfying, page-turning, genre-defying read. (Time-travel fantasy. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

April 1, 2024

Gr 4-7-Delilah "Dally" Peteharrington is grieving the loss of her beloved grandpa, who provided some respite and fun from her mother's strict schedule to prepare the biracial 11-year-old for the family business. The enigmatic map he left just for his granddaughter sends her on a sojourn into the city, with the destination being a secret library only a chosen few can enter. Jennacake, the librarian, shows her that the secret library is a place of secrets. By selecting books that give her a particular word, feeling, or date in time, Dally enters a fantastical adventure through her family's history. Reminiscent of entering Narnia, the secret portal in this middle grade fantasy takes readers on an engaging journey through time and place, unfolding generations of experiences both delightful and concerning. Dally's introspective nature means she recognizes her privilege and this encourages readers to reflect upon the secrets unveiled. The nonlinear plot takes place across varied periods in time, propelling readers into situations involving friendships, family, slavery, pirating, theft, colorism, LGBTQIA+ profiles, gender discussions, and the pure joy of spending time with someone gone eternally. Humor breaks up the heavier topics, and the character duo of Dally and fellow traveler Jack is particularly endearing. A twist near the end will solicit assorted reactions and makes for a fantastic writing prompt for tweens. VERDICT Magical and reflective; a first purchase for stronger readers.-Lisa Krok

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2024
Eleven-and-a-half-year-old Delilah "Dally" Peteharrington's mother wants to prepare her to take over the family business. Every afternoon, she meets with tutors to learn "important business-ish things," but what she really wants is to go on adventures like the ones her grandfather took her on before he died. When her mother refuses to let her sign up for Adventure Club at school, Dally decides to take matters into her own hands. She sneaks into her grandfather's study to find the envelope he left for her -- which she is not supposed to open until she turns twenty-one. Inside is a map that leads Dally to a secret library; from there, she can go back in time. With each visit to the past, Dally learns more about the Peteharringtons and how they got their wealth. Magoon adeptly and naturally weaves issues of race, class, and gender into a creative fantasy adventure. Readers will enjoy time-traveling with Dally and learning her family secrets, and many will especially enjoy Dally's time as a pirate. A family tree shown near the end of the book helps make connections among the many characters. Nicholl Denice Montgomery

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2024
Eleven-and-a-half-year-old Delilah "Dally" Peteharrington's mother wants to prepare her to take over the family business. Every afternoon, she meets with tutors to learn "important business-ish things," but what she really wants is to go on adventures like the ones her grandfather took her on before he died. When her mother refuses to let her sign up for Adventure Club at school, Dally decides to take matters into her own hands. She sneaks into her grandfather's study to find the envelope he left for her -- which she is not supposed to open until she turns twenty-one. Inside is a map that leads Dally to a secret library; from there, she can go back in time. With each visit to the past, Dally learns more about the Peteharringtons and how they got their wealth. Magoon adeptly and naturally weaves issues of race, class, and gender into a creative fantasy adventure. Readers will enjoy time-traveling with Dally and learning her family secrets, and many will especially enjoy Dally's time as a pirate. A family tree shown near the end of the book helps make connections among the many characters.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)