A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon

In this “enchanting” tale of a girl trying to solve a mystery and save a local library, “the magic of reading is given a refreshingly real twist” (Kirkus Reviews).   A New York City library branch has been designated for possible closure. But the bookish, socially awkward Pearl, the daughter of the librarian, can’t imagine a world without the library. When the head of their Edna St. Vincent Millay statue goes missing, closure is closer than ever. But Pearl is determined to save the library. And with a ragtag neighborhood library crew—including a constantly tap-dancing girl, an older boy she has a crush on, and a pack of literate raccoons—she just might be able to do it . . . Featuring an eclectic cast of richly drawn characters, quirky sidebars and footnotes, and illustrations by award winner Jessixa Bagley, this is a warm-hearted, visually intriguing tale of reading and believing, and a world of possibility.   “Solidly entertaining.” —School Library Journal   “Bursting with charm, lovable characters, and excitement that builds and builds.” —Gail Carson Levine, Newbery Award–winning author of Ella Enchanted   "A love letter to libraries . . . Big-hearted and dazzling, this classic-in-the-making is not to be missed.” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award–winning author of The One and Only Ivan

In a slightly fantastical New York City, one very special library branch has been designated for possible closure. Bookish, socially awkward Pearl, the daughter of the librarian, can't imagine a world without the library—its books, its community of oddballs, its hominess. When the head of their Edna St. Vincent Millay statue goes missing, closure is closer than ever. But Pearl is determined to save the library. And with a ragtag neighborhood library crew—including a constantly tap-dancing girl who might just be her first friend, an older boy she has a crush on, and a pack of raccoons who can read and write—she just might be able to. With an eclectic cast of richly drawn characters, a hint of just-around-the-corner magic, footnotes, sidebars, and Jessixa Bagley's classic illustrations throughout, this warm-hearted, visually magnificent tale of reading and believing from beloved author Karen Romano Young tells of a world where what you want to believe can come true.