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The Keeper of Stories

by Caroline Kusin Pritchard Publisher: SIMON & SCHUSTER BOOKS YOU

Critically Recognized

A neighborhood rallies to save its library’s stories

Regular price $18.74 USD
Regular price $31.24 USD Sale price $18.74 USD
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Hardcover New English

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Awards & Recognition

  • Award recognition

    Sydney Taylor Book Award Picture Book Honor

    Picture Book Honor

  • Critical praise

    Booklist starred review

    Booklist described the book as “poignant” in a starred review.

AlbakiReads Editorial

A neighborhood rallies to save its library’s stories

Set around the 1966 fire at New York’s Jewish Theological Seminary library, this picture book traces what happened to a collection of books damaged by flames and water—and the community effort to preserve them. Its historical subject gives young readers a way to consider libraries not only as places that hold books, but as keepers of shared memory and knowledge. The focus on people joining across backgrounds to protect what remains connects the rescue of a collection with the role a neighborhood can play in safeguarding its cultural resources.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 4–8 exploring libraries, books, and their place in a community
  • Young readers interested in true stories about neighbors working together
  • Families and educators seeking a picture book about preserving books and shared history

Themes

Libraries and booksCommunity cooperationMemory and cultural preservationHistorical events

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

A Sydney Taylor Book Award Picture Book Honor
Three starred reviews!

In this "poignant" (Booklist, starred review) and uplifting true story of community, a neighborhood comes together in the wake of a library fire to save the stories within, offering a timely reminder of the essential role libraries and books play in our communities.

A library is a keeper of stories. A keeper of memories. A keeper of hope. But what happens when that keeper is threatened?

When a fire broke out at New York's Jewish Theological Seminary library in 1966, firefighters raced to the rescue. But by the end of the day, thousands of books had been turned to ashes and the ones that remained were on the brink of ruin. The community was devastated. Would the priceless stories in those waterlogged pages be lost forever? Or could helping hands from every background and corner of the neighborhood come together to become keepers of stories, too?

This powerfully told and lushly illustrated true story is a welcome example of how we all can come together to keep libraries and the books within safe for generations to come.
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Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
AlbakiReads
Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

O
AlbakiReads
Olivia

Smooth.