The Librarian (Book One: Little Boy Lost)

This book was an interesting read for the most part: involving aspects of classical literature was an enjoyable touch. Some of the language and actions from the children were at odds with their age and personalities, but for the most part, this wasn't an issue. I think the series would be an excellent read for younger children, though I do think that reading the classic stories referenced, such as Peter Pan, would be a requirement to completely understand the plot.

There is something about the book that I just couldn't connect with and was hoping that it ended soon. This may be due to age and a child of the right age group will love it. I just keep thinking about the movie the Page Master (? the little boy wonders into a library and turned into a cartoon while he learns to appreciate books).

I have daughters and read books that are at their reading even some that are below. The first book of The Librarian series is well written with just enough mischievousness and feelings to keep a young reader challenged

My son and I read this book aloud together, taking turns each chapter. When I would say, "That's it for tonight," I always got a "Awwww! Just a few more pages!" It bogged down a bit somewhere just past the middle, but stick with it -- it's a good adventure.

I am a recently retired school teacher who decided to read the first Librarian book, and LOVED IT! Many adults overlook books geared towards younger people, and many of those books are not worthy of an adult reading. The Librarian was and it re-kindled my imagination. When is the next one due to be out? I am anxiously awaiting it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The concept was original and the characters were engaging. It made me want to go back and read the original of the books like "Wizard of Oz". As I read the book I could see the movie version! The next book in the series can't come soon enough.

Although the book was interesting and kept my attention, I was highly disappointed when it ended in a cliff-hanger. This is an unethical way to "sell" your next book.
Had the story had a resolution, I would have given it high marks. At the very least the description should say that this is part one in a multi-volume serial. FYI, book two ends without resolution also.

Story is quite good - makes you look forward to the next one - but there was no need for the bad language (four-letter words). They added nothing to the story and if young adult books are to encourage children to read, what is the point of also encouraging bad language???
Frida's Child

This was a quick and enjoyable read. I highly recommend this for middle grade readers. I would highly recommend it for young readers who like adventure stories in a fantasy setting.

I enjoyed this book, and I'm anxious to get to book 2. Hobbs blends some of our favorite children's stories into this tale but gives them a distinct twist. Our main character Wesley finds himself on a field trip to tour a local library. Also on the trip are his best friend Taylor and worst enemy Randy. Wesley is regularly bullied by Randy and his crew of goons, while Taylor is always sticking up for him and telling him to stand up for himself. Wesley and Taylor break away from the history lesson on the tour and end up learning that the historical library is more than it seems. There are some truly magical things hiding in its walls. Randy's father is also on the trip with the class, but it turns out he wants to demolish the historical library and all its magic. While trying to stay out of Randy and his father's sights, Wesley finds himself drawn to a strange painting of Neverland. He also runs into Locke, who happens to be one of Peter Pan's Lost Boy's from Neverland. Locke is looking for the mysterious Librarian.

Wesley, Locke, and Taylor can't find the Librarian, but they do discover that Locke must get back to his own story. The kids end up in Oz and learn that once a story is written, it must not be changed. Taylor won't be swayed though and she is determined to help the Tin Man find his true love. If you know the rules of time travel, they kind of apply here, you don't mess with the timeline or it will have consequences. Eventually the kids face off with Randy and his dad to get the Neverland key back so Locke can go back. The find the Librarian and face off with the Headless Horseman. Wesley who is almost irritatingly weak throughout the story, finds his inner strength and starts to stand up for himself. He gets tired of being pushed around all the time which is a good lesson for young readers especially if they are in a similar situation with a kid like Randy. Locke heads back to Neverland, but Wes, Taylor, and the Librarian are left in the real world to deal with the mess they've made. The story ends with a bit of a cliffhanger, but not a bad one. I kind of saw it coming.

Wesley and Taylor are the likable main characters in this first book of the series. Wes is a bit of a nerd, a little bit shy and awkward, often picked on by the school bully. Taylor is his neighbor and best friend, who always encourages him to stand up for himself. On a school field trip to the library, the pair learn about the mysterious Librarian, and they find out that the "urban legends" are true. Strange things are afoot at the Astoria public library. Tay and Wes have encounters with a Lost Boy from Peter Pan, the Tin Man from Oz, and the Headless Horseman from Sleepy Hollow.

While I enjoyed the main characters, the settings, and the concept, I was left feeling like something was missing. The story could have used more details, better descriptions, just more meat on these bones. I look forward to reading the next one, and I hope that this time I don't feel shortchanged upon reaching the end.

In The Librarian, young Wesley Bates and his school peers go on a field trip to their town's mystical library, only for him and his close friend Taylor to discover that it is filled with portals to the world's of several childhood (and public domain) classics.

While the story drew much influence from these many fantasy works, it itself is not destined to be s childhood classic of similar caliber.

Often times with weak prose, tinged with inconsistent characters and sprinkled with exposition, the otherwise interesting narrative isn't interesting enough to merit my continuation with this series.

I recommend to interested readers to instead try out the works this volume invokes: Oz, Peter Pan, and the like. A reading of these tales is bound to be more fulfilling.

The Librarian (Book One: Little Boy Lost) bring in classic elements that have been used frequently in young adult and children literature: an inclusion of classic works - in this case Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz, the paired bully and bullied boy, the bullied boy's love interest, and an adventure to lands that are foreign and different. Eric Hobbs does this in a manner that attracts one's attention while he walks a fine line between fun and moralistic. For the most part, fun wins out.

A class trip to the mysterious local library pits the two boys against each other, once the bully wins a contest with a stolen essay. Puzzling pictures provide a gateway to another dimension, that of the classic works. Children get pulled in, and wanting to correct unfair situations in the land they are in, end up changing the story lines of the classics.

In the meantime, the old and strange librarian is up against the bully's father who is planning to tear down the old library, the oldest building in town.

This is a great set up for a series of books. The inclusion of a child who is bullied gives a great springboard for discussion on bullying which is such a problem today. The inclusion of the classic children's books can also help to get children involved in reading more. The story pulls you in, is entertaining, and the descriptions are quite visual.

On the downside, it seems to be written with elements of a screenplay. I do think this would be the start of a great PBS series, but a large number of very short chapters (that seem to scream that the person animating the cartoon need to cut to a new scene) can be distracting.

Overall, a strong book that should catch children's attention.

An interesting premise, similar to that used by James Artemis Owen in his Imaginarium Geographica series.

Well written, with characters I came to like (even the villains). I'll be recommending this series to my friends.

Wesley Bates and his classmates take a field trip to a special library. But, this is no ordinary place! Here stories come to life if you know where and how to look. There is also the opportunity to enter into a classic children's story - but the adventurers must be careful or the plot can take unexpected twists.

In book one of The Librarian series, Wesley and friends explore The Wizard of Oz where they learn some important life lessons along the way. The target audience is later elementary or middle school students, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, too. I can see lots of fodder for book discussion groups! Should appeal to boys, girls and the young at heart.

The Librarian by Eric Hobbs is a very interesting book. An old library that looks sort of like a castle. Pictures so beautifully done it looks as if you could walk right into them. Wesley and his friend Taylor go on an adventure after a boy named Locke shows up while they are on a tour of the library. What a fresh, new take on exploring classic books. Great book for 2nd graders and up to enjoy.

I just finished this book, and already downloaded the next one. At first I thought it would be along the lines of The Land of Stories books, but no! Stories can apparently be rewritten with different outcomes. I am curling up with book 2 tonight, and I hope there will be more.

I have always had a fondness for books that include elements of books and libraries which was the initial trigger of interest for me regarding this book. The story grabbed me from the beginning and I didn't have to wait long for the excitement to begin. The characters were easy to understand and well developed. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I greatly enjoyed this book. It wasn't overly fast-paced, but it definitely was dull or slow!
I liked Wesley`s character in particular. His character was extremely lifelike. He wasn't an outstanding hero. He was just a normal kid. He was insecure with himself and his abilities. He was a very relatable character because he didn't seem like a character, he seemed like a person.
This is definitely a book I highly recommend for anyone around 6th grade and up!

I won The Librarian - Book One on Library Thing and found it to be a a fun book. It's definitely geared to the young adult/juvenile crowd, of course; but still, I found it quite enjoyable and look forward to the next installment. It would make a great movie too.

The Librarian has great detail. I strongly suggest it if you are one of those people that enjoy fantasy or maybe science fiction. You feel like you're really in the book, watching. I think The Librarian is a book that's good for all ages.