The Library by Sarah Stewart Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Library
Book Review: Panders to Stereotypes-and the worst ones at that!
Summary: 2 Stars
This book is filled with the worst stereotypes regarding readers and librarians. Elizabeth Brown (not Liz or Beth but the formal Elizabeth) never seems to do anything but read. She never plays. It seems to describe reading as an addictive life-limiting activity you had best avoid if you ever want to swim, play games, or have friends again. Then Elizabeth, unmarried and without children, moves in with another "old maid" and continues to lead a life barren of people, but filled with books, as of one had to choose between the two. If you ask me, this book should scare kids away from reading rather then draw them to it! It should also perpetuate the belief that library workers and patrons are odd creatures that care only for books and have no real life. According to this book Librarians are all cold spinsters, ala Mary in It's a Wonderful Life or Marian in the Music Man. The only thing I can say good about this book is that the illustrations are lovely. A much better, and more positive, read is Library Lil by Suzanne Williams.
US News and World Report had an article about four years ago which stated that by the year 2005, this year, we would have a significant Librarian shortage due to retirement and attrition; we would not enough student librarians to replace them. A reason conjectured was that librarianship is considered to be too "pink collar", too traditional, and had far too much negative baggage for young people to consider going into. It's about time we started changing the image of library workers to a more realistic and positive one if we want to have any.
Book Review: Perfect for a smile and a short afternoon break.
Summary: 5 Stars
I found this book quite by accident. If you're a book lover of any age, you'll love it. This is a very short story about Elizabeth Brown, who loved to read so much that it eclipsed everything else in her life. The illustrations by David Small are marvelous. This book is both lovely to look at and fun to read. A quick treat that'll put a smile on your face while you're reading it and ever after when you glance at it on your bookshelf.Book Review: Refreshing!
Summary: 5 Stars
I think it is refershing to see a book about a woman who reads about "goddesses" and decides to buy a house on her own. It is also wonderful to see that she finds a woman with whom to spend her life.
It warmed my heart to read this particular passage. I have known many women who choose to live with other women and it is nice to have this depicted in a book for children.
Book Review: Sad story, beautiful illustrations
Summary: 2 Stars
I was considering buying this book for my high school senior who wants to be a librarian but there's no way I'll lift this book up as a wonderful story of a child's dream come true. Who wants to be alone with books and another lonely old lady for the rest of her life? Unending books, yes. No relationships, no. Sorry. A sweet idea for a story but why couldn't Elizabeth have had a full life? I know it's a child's book, but still, I find it a bit disturbing. Too bad.Book Review: The Library
Summary: 5 Stars
For those of us who, like Elizabeth Brown, prefer books toalmost anything else..Sarah Steward has delightfully and
amusingly told our story...it is a joy to read and in my book-
filled home it will be in a place of honor on the coffee table for all to read and smile and maybe...even...begin to understand!!