A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon

In a slightly fantastical New York City, one very special library branch has been designated for possible closure. Bookish, socially awkward Pearl, the daughter of the librarian, can’t imagine a world without the library—its books, its community of oddballs, its hominess. When the head of their Edna St. Vincent Millay statue goes missing, closure is closer than ever. But Pearl is determined to save the library. And with a ragtag neighbourhood library crew—a constantly tap-dancing girl who might just be her first friend, an older boy she has a crush on, and a pack of raccoons who can read and write—she’s about to find that reading is believing.

“"I adore A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon -a tale bursting with charm, lovable characters, and excitement that builds and builds until I almost exploded. . . . It's a paean of praise to books, reading, librarians, and the preciousness of home, wherever home may be. I could go on and on, but read it yourself!" -- Gail Carson Levine , bestselling author of Ella Enchanted”

A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon is solidly entertaining. Upper elementary readers who like magical realism will enjoy this novel, as will younger readers at high reading levels. A strong addition to the fiction section.--School Library Journal
[A]n enchanting plunge into the underbelly of a failing library and a city brimful of secrets. An array of endearing supporting characters, coupled with a plot both grounded in stressful reality and uplifted by urban fantasy, lend the story its charm. The magic of reading is given a refreshingly real twist.--Kirkus Reviews
[In A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon] the richly developed cast of characters supports a solid and fast-moving plot with an entertaining narrative reveal. Bagley's illustrations bring Pearl's world to life.--Horn Book Magazine
A love letter to libraries, A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon comes complete with intriguing sidebars, a clever plot, and a charming surprise narrator. Big-hearted and dazzling, this classic-in-the-making is not to be missed.-- Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan and Wishtree
Hilarious and brilliant, you'll be rooting for Pearl as she fights to keep what she loves most.-Girls' Life Magazine
I adore A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon-a tale bursting with charm, lovable characters, and excitement that builds and builds until I almost exploded. . . . It's a paean of praise to books, reading, librarians, and the preciousness of home, wherever home may be. I could go on and on, but read it yourself! --Gail Carson Levine, bestselling author of Ella Enchanted
Part mystery, part coming-of-age journey, [A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon] interweaves realistically flawed, fully formed characters with real-world issues (declining library attendance and homelessness) and fantastical elements. Sidebars (A Sidebar About Legends) penned by a mysterious author and signature illustrations by Bagley offer charming details.--Publishers Weekly
Those willing to suspend their disbelief will be charmed by reading raccoons and the many sidebars that one contributes to the book itself. Issue- rather than plot-driven, this slower-paced mystery is for the thoughtful and bookish.--Booklist

Karen Romano Young is a writer, illustrator, and science journalist. She has written close to two dozen books for children, and has illustrated several, including the groundbreaking graphic novel Doodlebug and its sequel Stuck in the Middle (of Middle School). Karen’s acclaimed science books include Small Worlds, Across the Wide Ocean and Bug Science. She is the creator of a science comic called Humanimal Doodles and a veteran of three ocean science research voyages, including dives to the bottom of the ocean. Karen lives in the Connecticut woods with her husband and two large, fluffy dogs. To see more of Karen’s work, please visit her web site,

Jessixa Bagley is an award-winning author and illustrator. She lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband, adorable son, and a slew of houseplants.

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