Dare County Library Book Club Information and Resource Center

The Lost Library

Authors: Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass

NC Kids Digital Library ebook & audiobook available

When a mysterious little free library (guarded by a large orange cat) appears overnight in the small town of Martinville, eleven-year-old Evan plucks two weathered books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to change.

Evan and his best friend Rafe quickly discover a link between one of the old books and a long-ago event that none of the grown-ups want to talk about. The two boys start asking questions whose answers will transform not only their own futures, but the town itself.

Told in turn by a ghost librarian named Al, an aging (but beautiful) cat named Mortimer, and Evan himself, The Lost Library is a timeless story from award-winning authors Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass. It’s about owning your truth, choosing the life you want, and the power of a good book (and, of course, the librarian who gave it to you).

What is a Little Free Library? 

"Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes.

Our vision is a Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader. We believe all people are empowered when the opportunity to discover a personally relevant book to read is not limited by time, space, or privilege."

To Learn More, Click Here!

1.  Why do you think Mortimer refuses to leave his position outside with the library?
2. What is so interesting about the names on the library cards in the back of the books Evan finds in the little library? Who built the little library and why?
3. Ms. Scoggin keeps telling Al to ‘take her place in the world’. What does she mean? When does Al finally ‘takes her place’?
4. How does Mortimer describe the feeling of listening to poetry. Is this what hearing poetry feels like for you?
5. Why is it so hard for Evan’s dad to talk to him about the library?
6. Discuss how the little library brings people in the community together.
7. What is Mortimer really guarding? 
8. Who is H. G. Higgins? How does Evan feel when he finds out?  
9. What do you think of the end of the story? Have Al, Evan and Mortimer each got the ending they deserve?
10. What do you think the story ultimately says about change? Is it a good or a bad thing?
11. What does H.G. Higgins say about antagonists in How to Write A Mystery Novel? Who or what do you think is the antagonist of the novel? Is the antagonist the same as the ‘bad guy’? Why/why not?
12. Mr. O’Neal tells Evan that ‘all of life is a mystery, in a way’. (p. 53) Do you agree? Why do you think it’s useful to be open to life’s mysteries?

Questions supplied by Text Publishing Teaching Notes for the Australian Curriculum.