This tale in verse tells the story of a library, on the brink of closure, and people who try to save it. The book starts with staff packing boxes of books and removing things from the building. The lady of the library, a ghost who has haunted the place for decades, discovers from a young girl that the library is closing. They both decide that something needs to be done—from building dominoes out of books to telling scary stories in the dark—to save their beloved space. Sanson’s digital illustrations depict a friendly ghost and a diverse community. Detailed illustrations invite readers to pore over the pages and return to the story again and again. Back matter includes a note on haunted libraries, ways to support libraries, and related resources. VERDICT Winning text and beautiful illustrations will delight elementary-aged readers. Recommended.

“This saga is based on the true story of the “haunted” Willard Public Library in Evansville, Indiana, but provides a broader perspective on books, literary, and urban preservation than young readers might anticipate from its ghostly foundations.”