The Library of Unruly Treasures
Gwen is quite happy to go and stay with an uncle she has never met, in a town called Dalgety. It’s got to be better than staying wit her dad who watches lots of
sports, drinks lots of beer, and hardly knows she exists. Staying with her mum is equally awful, because her mum would rather be with her latest boyfriend.
When picked up from the airport, she meets Uncle Matthew and his funny looking dog Pumpkin. A trip to the local library is early on her list, especially as it has her last name – MacKinnon. Gwen soon learns the history of Dalgety and its library, and about the descendants hung on the walls. Making friends with the neighbour’s young daughter is nice too, even if she does insist on playing a game called Ladhukan.
Uncle Matthew said his daughter Nora used to play the game, and the librarian has heard of it too. It seems many children have played the same game over generations.
Gwen is soon shocked and surprised to realise that the small people with wings that Julia is constantly talking to, aren’t just an “over-active imagination.” These small creatures actually exist.
At age eleven, Gwen shouldn’t be able to see or hear these clever, curious, flying creatures. The fact that she can is under much scrutiny by the Ladhukan. They have consulted their wise scholars and pored over their ancient prophecies. They have been waiting for an important someone….and Gwen is that person.
It’s wonderful to have a lovely place to live, and be able to talk to magical people, but to suddenly be responsible for their welfare? It’s almost too much. Gwen vows to herself and the Ladhukan, that she will try her very best to help them, (and enjoy her limited time with kind Uncle Matthew and Pumpkin), before she must return to her father.
It becomes the most exciting, wonderful, frightening, and dangerous two weeks of her life.
Imaginary friends that not only fly, are invisible to anyone over age six, and actually exist!
This is what main character Gwen MacKinnon faces early in this story. She has such a sad back story, it is easy to want the best for her. Her Great Uncle Matthew is a heart warming character, along with his quirky dog Pumpkin, both kind and caring.
The world of Ladhukan begins with a prologue – explaining how they came to live in America from Scotland. It’s not a complicated world structure, with just enough to keep the story interesting as decisions are made, foes attacked with tiny bows and arrows, and complicated flight patterns are required to control difficult humans.
The Library of Unruly Treasures is a sweet story with wholesome characters, and perfect for young readers who don’t like anything scary, but do enjoy a little tension, courage, and magical creatures that only small children or the chosen can see.
From the author of The Penderwicks.
Author – Jeanne Birdsall
Age – 8+
Publisher – Penguin Random House
If you like the sound of this middle-grade novel, you might like:
Pinch Perkins and the Misdummer Curse
The Magic Faraway Tree
(2025, Penguin Random House, Fantasy, Library, Prophecy, Prophecies, Scottish Clans, Invisible creatures, Family, Parental Neglect, Kindness, Love, Courage, Action, Moving, New Home)
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