A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon

By Karen Romano Young

A library's fate hangs in the balance as a girl and her quirky crew race to save it.

3.6/5 Goodreads · 207 ratings

392 pages· 91,740 words· Est. 13 hour read

$16.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

Pearl, a bookish girl in New York City, faces the unimaginable: her beloved library might close. When a statue's head vanishes, the threat looms larger. With a tap-dancing friend, a crush-worthy boy, and raccoons who read, Pearl embarks on a whimsical quest to save the library. Can this unlikely team overcome the odds and preserve their world of stories? Dive into a tale of friendship, mystery, and the power of community.

From the publisher

A warm-hearted, visually intriguing tale of reading and believing, and a world of possibility. A New York City library branch has been designated for possible closure yet 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. - Features an eclectic cast of richly drawn characters, frequent sidebars and footnotes- Classic illustrations by Jessixa Bagley and writing by beloved author Karen Romano Young Fans of Henry and Bea, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur and Redwood and Ponytail will love this book. This book is perfect for: - Avid readers- Teachers- Librarians

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 392
Words: 91,740
Reading age: 8–11
Audience: Juvenile Reader
Lexile: 780L

Themes & topics

Books about friendship Books about New York Books about the library Books about self-esteem Books about nocturnal animals

For the grown-ups

The parent guide

What families may want to know

Every family reads differently. These are the concepts our editors noticed in this book — worth seeking out for some readers, worth knowing about for others. The list isn't exhaustive, but it's a spoiler-light head start.

Language

A few uses of "d*mn"

LGBTQ

A brief reference to a girl's gaining inspiration from various activists, including activists for LGBTQ rights.

For readers who can't stop at one