Just So Stories

Scholastic Australia

Scholastic Australia

January 2025

ISBN: 9781761643507

RRPP: $19.99

There was a lot to like about this one but as usual the graphic format, didn’t quite do it for me, which I freely admit is just a personal thing. There were definitely moments when I felt confused about sequences or even conversations but I have no doubt that kids who enjoy this genre will not have those problems to the same extent – though I think I won’t be the only one to be unclear, especially at first, as to which twin is which.

Paige and Turner are fraternal twins, residents of Manhattan and precisely the sort of snappy, snarky New Yorkers often portrayed in fiction. Their parents are usually conveniently absent (in that standard trope) away working on some kind of high-flying careers. They do have a nanny, but she is not what you’d call the dedicated type, and, in fact, will casually blackmail the twins into silence by threatening to reveal their various misdemeanours. Not that the missing parents would mind naughtiness so much, but their father would probably throw them out if he knew they had touched any of his valuable collection of books.

So really, when they take their dad’s priceless first edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula to their favourite hang-out, the world famous New York Library, they don’t want either nanny or parentals to know about it. They have haunted the library since their youngest days and spend much of their time there. They know there is an expert in valuable and rare books, so honestly, all they want is an assessment of the Dracula book’s worth.

They certainly don’t bargain on meeting the mysterious Night Librarian, becoming involved with not only her, but the absolute chaos descending on the library. It’s one thing for stories to come to life for a reader, but when they ACTUALLY do and it’s not only the favourite characters slipping out of books, but the villains, it’s pandemonium all round. The New York Library is under threat [prophetic really, given the state of play for libraries in the US at this point in time] and the Night Libarian will have her work cut out in saving it. For their sins, it’s Paige and Turner who become the Night Librarian’s sidekicks.

You can tell already, it’s the kind of premise that’s been done a few times in variations, particularly in the past few years. The point of difference is that this is graphic and, I admit, very skilfully done by author/illustrator, Christopher Lincoln. I did very much enjoy the puns and wordplay, along with the many inter-contextual references.

If you have kiddos who enjoyed the Pages & Co, or the Inkheart series and who are not averse to the graphic format, they will mightily enjoy this action-packed adventure. I suggest able readers from around year 4 upwards with a (in spite of my personal prejudice to the format) 4 📚📚📚📚 rating.