Gwen MacKinnon has spent much of the eleven short years of her life feeling unwanted, but it only takes two weeks in a small Massachusetts town–plus one unruly dog, an enthusiastic four-year-old, the coolest older cousin, the corniest uncle, some love and attention, and an entire clan of tiny, winged creatures convinced she is destined to be a hero–for Gwen to understand that home isn’t just a word. This new book by Jeanne Birdsall is absolutely worth the wait (tbh I needed the time, I’m still recovering from The Penderwicks in Spring), full of Birdsall’s signature heart and community love, with some very unique world-building for the lore of the Lahdukan. Gwen is a delightful character to join on her journey of fate, discovery, and courage.
The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall, (List Price: $20.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780525579052, August 2025)
Reviewed by Morgan Holub, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia