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The Legend of the Last Library
What if you lived in a world without books?
After a devastating Blight killed off all the trees, paper is worth more than just about anything. Juni's parents died when she was young, so now it's just her and Grandpa Edgar. When she's not in school, Juni and her friends Doler and Quaze turn to plifting—scavenging for any paper they can find. If Juni can find enough paper, she can pay for the health care Grandpa needs.
So when Juni discovers a book—the first one she's ever seen—hidden in a box in her grandpa's closet, she's both surprised and elated thinking of the money she could get for it. That all changes when she decides to read the book. Beyond opening her imagination, the book contains clues that point to what could be the last library on Earth.
The library's location has been hidden for more than a hundred years, but Juni and her friends are not the only ones looking for it. Ullred O'Donnell, head of R&D for Novexus, a megacorporation that replaced the government and now controls all information, is desperate to find the library as well. With an army of vicious robot dogs at his command, Ullred warns Juni to abandon her quest—or else.
Juni and her friends must find the library and share it with the world before Novexus claims it as their own. If reading one book could change Juni's life, what would access to thousands—or millions—of books do?
After a devastating Blight killed off all the trees, paper is worth more than just about anything. Juni's parents died when she was young, so now it's just her and Grandpa Edgar. When she's not in school, Juni and her friends Doler and Quaze turn to plifting—scavenging for any paper they can find. If Juni can find enough paper, she can pay for the health care Grandpa needs.
So when Juni discovers a book—the first one she's ever seen—hidden in a box in her grandpa's closet, she's both surprised and elated thinking of the money she could get for it. That all changes when she decides to read the book. Beyond opening her imagination, the book contains clues that point to what could be the last library on Earth.
The library's location has been hidden for more than a hundred years, but Juni and her friends are not the only ones looking for it. Ullred O'Donnell, head of R&D for Novexus, a megacorporation that replaced the government and now controls all information, is desperate to find the library as well. With an army of vicious robot dogs at his command, Ullred warns Juni to abandon her quest—or else.
Juni and her friends must find the library and share it with the world before Novexus claims it as their own. If reading one book could change Juni's life, what would access to thousands—or millions—of books do?
288 pages, Hardcover
Published August 6, 2024
59 people are currently reading
9434 people want to read
About the author
Frank L. Cole
17 books265 followersFrank L. Cole has lived in such exotic places as the Philippines and Kentucky, and currently lives with his wife and three children out west. While he strived for years to earn his publishing credits, Frank considers sharing his message of “Exercising Your Imagination” to over 100,000 kids across the country as his greatest accomplishment. Frank has been published with Cedar Fort Books, Delacorte Press, and Shadow Mountain Publishing. The Legend of the Last Library is Frank's 15th published book. You can learn more about his writing at frankcolewrites.com
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July 19, 2024
I dropped every book I planned to read when I started reading this middle grade book entitled 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙊𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙇𝙞𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮 by @franklcolewrites because I became really engrossed in this Dystopian world that the author has created.
𝘐𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘦,
𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥.
Almost a hundred years after the 'Blight' when insects destroyed the trees, paper became rare, and people became reliant on technology managed by Novexus Corporation.
We find 13 year old Juniper Knox sneak into abandoned buildings to paper lift. Scoring pure papers could earn her credits to support the medical expenses of her grandfather. Imagine the value of finding an entire book.
While kids in Syphon City grew up learning through 'Syncron' - a digital earpiece, Juni's grandpa taught her to read with his reliable ancient e-reader.
𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.
A discovery of a book started the adventure of Juni and friends that will lead them to finding The Last Library that will ultimately change their lives forever.
"𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨,"... "𝘐𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯. 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘴𝘰."
"𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘢 𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘭. 𝘕𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘥."
This book tells a powerful story about the power of books and how they can shape us. It explores how reading books offer hope, escape, and a sense of purpose, and pictures out how an idea can create or destroy depending on the hands of its creator.
This is definitely a 5⭐ read!
I am still figuring out what the secret message is in this book followingntje ISBN numbers in every chapter. What a fun element to add to this wonderful book!
Thank you @netgalley @shadowmountainpub for this eARC!
𝘐𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘦,
𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥.
Almost a hundred years after the 'Blight' when insects destroyed the trees, paper became rare, and people became reliant on technology managed by Novexus Corporation.
We find 13 year old Juniper Knox sneak into abandoned buildings to paper lift. Scoring pure papers could earn her credits to support the medical expenses of her grandfather. Imagine the value of finding an entire book.
While kids in Syphon City grew up learning through 'Syncron' - a digital earpiece, Juni's grandpa taught her to read with his reliable ancient e-reader.
𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.
A discovery of a book started the adventure of Juni and friends that will lead them to finding The Last Library that will ultimately change their lives forever.
"𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨,"... "𝘐𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯. 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘴𝘰."
"𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘢 𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘭. 𝘕𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘥."
This book tells a powerful story about the power of books and how they can shape us. It explores how reading books offer hope, escape, and a sense of purpose, and pictures out how an idea can create or destroy depending on the hands of its creator.
This is definitely a 5⭐ read!
I am still figuring out what the secret message is in this book followingntje ISBN numbers in every chapter. What a fun element to add to this wonderful book!
Thank you @netgalley @shadowmountainpub for this eARC!
June 20, 2024
A love letter to libraries and stories. ❤️
November 11, 2024
3.5 🌟s. It was a good story. Kept me entertained. I love books regarding books!!!!
November 24, 2024
I received an advance reader copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
The Legend of the Last Library is a dystopian middle grade book for anyone who loves books and libraries.
We follow Juni, who lives with her grandfather in a rented apartment. When she's not at school, she takes part in an activity called plifting - the scavenging of paper from anywhere they can find it in. Paper is scarce since a disease called Blight killed off the trees, and now paper isn't just scarce but costs a fortune if you can get your hands on it. Juni needs as much money as she can make to pay for her grandfather's health care as he's all she has left in the world after her parents died.
Juni comes across a book hidden in her grandfather's closet, and upon reading it, she discovers clues to the possibility of a last library that is hidden and filled with books. If so, this is the last library on earth and is over 100 years old! As Juni and her friends (including a new friend) try to connect the dots, they fall within the crosshairs of someone else who is also looking for the same thing.
This Was fast paced and pulse pounding, especially when the robot dogs appeared, and I flew through this book desperate to know if the library existed and what would happen next.
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
The Legend of the Last Library is a dystopian middle grade book for anyone who loves books and libraries.
We follow Juni, who lives with her grandfather in a rented apartment. When she's not at school, she takes part in an activity called plifting - the scavenging of paper from anywhere they can find it in. Paper is scarce since a disease called Blight killed off the trees, and now paper isn't just scarce but costs a fortune if you can get your hands on it. Juni needs as much money as she can make to pay for her grandfather's health care as he's all she has left in the world after her parents died.
Juni comes across a book hidden in her grandfather's closet, and upon reading it, she discovers clues to the possibility of a last library that is hidden and filled with books. If so, this is the last library on earth and is over 100 years old! As Juni and her friends (including a new friend) try to connect the dots, they fall within the crosshairs of someone else who is also looking for the same thing.
This Was fast paced and pulse pounding, especially when the robot dogs appeared, and I flew through this book desperate to know if the library existed and what would happen next.
September 2, 2024
3.5 ⭐ rounded up.
A very strong middle grade! The characters were all interesting and likable. The plot was my favorite part! I loved the concept of a dystopian world looking for a hidden library. As someone who studied classics and Archeology and has always had a fascination with the Library of Alexandria this book was right up my alley! Overall I had loads of fun listening!
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
A very strong middle grade! The characters were all interesting and likable. The plot was my favorite part! I loved the concept of a dystopian world looking for a hidden library. As someone who studied classics and Archeology and has always had a fascination with the Library of Alexandria this book was right up my alley! Overall I had loads of fun listening!
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
October 4, 2024
This was a cute concept but it could have been better. I don’t typically read scifi/dystopian books but I wanted to give this a try. It was too YA/ middle-grade for me and not really my vibe afterall. I could have liked to read on a more interesting character and more thought provoking plot. Everything was mostly given right away to the main character without her working on getting it herself. I like stories when there is a more character development and plot.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an eARC of this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an eARC of this book.
August 21, 2024
This is a fun and exciting dystopian fantasy! My middle schooler really enjoyed this story, especially Zeno. It made him laugh and ended up being one of his favorite “characters”. The search for the last library was a really fun plot, and made it so we didn’t want to put this book down. Imagine a world without paper books?! What a sad world that would be. But it sure made for an inventive and page-turning story.
The characters go on a journey not only for the library but also for self improvement, which is great for any kid to learn.
I think readers of all ages would enjoy this story. Thank you to the author and publisher for an advance copy. All opinions are freely given.
The characters go on a journey not only for the library but also for self improvement, which is great for any kid to learn.
I think readers of all ages would enjoy this story. Thank you to the author and publisher for an advance copy. All opinions are freely given.
March 8, 2025
Such a well written, clean youth dystopia story that is for all ages! I loved everything about it.
No agendas or content warnings unless you consider questioning authority an agenda. 🤔 This may be better for older tweens who are a little more advanced readers. The themes are pretty sophisticated but would provoke some great discussions with your kids.
My 11 y/o daughter rated it 5 🌟
No agendas or content warnings unless you consider questioning authority an agenda. 🤔 This may be better for older tweens who are a little more advanced readers. The themes are pretty sophisticated but would provoke some great discussions with your kids.
My 11 y/o daughter rated it 5 🌟
August 13, 2024
This fun middle grade book was a sweet love letter to libraries.
.
Set in a dystopian world where all information is filtered by the government, Juni and her crew discover secrets that lead them to learn the truth about history.
.
I loved all of the references to well-knkwn, much-loved books, and I thought the premise was very unique.
.
I hope I can get at least one of my kids to give this a try.
.
Set in a dystopian world where all information is filtered by the government, Juni and her crew discover secrets that lead them to learn the truth about history.
.
I loved all of the references to well-knkwn, much-loved books, and I thought the premise was very unique.
.
I hope I can get at least one of my kids to give this a try.
August 12, 2024
This was such a fun read. As a lover of books, a world without books is not somewhere I would want to be. Juni and her friends must race against those powers trying to hide the truth in the new book from one of my favorite authors. Recommend this book to anyone who loves books and can’t imagine a world without them!!
July 10, 2024
As a lover of books and the an avid reader I was excited to see how Frank Cole would convince his audience of the importance of the written word. He did not disappoint.
In a world where paper is worth more than gold and plastic is the most abundant material, society is tightly controlled by a totalitarian government. After a catastrophic event known as "the Blight," disrupted ecosystems, the government took control of all essential resources, including electricity and food supplies. With the rise of digital information, libraries have become relics of the past, and the government strictly curates the knowledge that people can access. Education is limited to what the authorities deem necessary, suppressing any information that could spark rebellion or curiosity about the world before the Blight.
In this bleak setting lives Juni, a determined and resourceful girl. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her grandfather becomes ill and the medicine needed to keep him alive is in short supply.. Juni accidentally stumbles upon the key to the Last Library. Finding this library may be the solution she is looking for.
Emboldened by the hope of saving her grandfather, Juni embarks on a perilous journey to find the library. Along the way, she faces numerous obstacles, including government patrols, hostile enemies and the challenges of a world where paper is a rare and precious commodity. As she gets closer to her goal, Juni uncovers secrets about the Blight, the government's true intentions, and the hidden history of her world. Ultimately, finding the lost library becomes not only a quest to save her grandfather but also a mission to uncover the truth and ignite a spark of knowledge and hope in a society starved of both.
This book is the perfect middle grades book for young readers who enjoy adventure, twists and turns and need to understand the power of te written word. Frank weaves in stories from our childhood throughout the book. He also leaves his readers with a scavenger hunt hidden amongst the pages. The book is well written and will leave you hungry for your next read. After all, "the Library isn't a gift, it is a reward."
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
In a world where paper is worth more than gold and plastic is the most abundant material, society is tightly controlled by a totalitarian government. After a catastrophic event known as "the Blight," disrupted ecosystems, the government took control of all essential resources, including electricity and food supplies. With the rise of digital information, libraries have become relics of the past, and the government strictly curates the knowledge that people can access. Education is limited to what the authorities deem necessary, suppressing any information that could spark rebellion or curiosity about the world before the Blight.
In this bleak setting lives Juni, a determined and resourceful girl. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her grandfather becomes ill and the medicine needed to keep him alive is in short supply.. Juni accidentally stumbles upon the key to the Last Library. Finding this library may be the solution she is looking for.
Emboldened by the hope of saving her grandfather, Juni embarks on a perilous journey to find the library. Along the way, she faces numerous obstacles, including government patrols, hostile enemies and the challenges of a world where paper is a rare and precious commodity. As she gets closer to her goal, Juni uncovers secrets about the Blight, the government's true intentions, and the hidden history of her world. Ultimately, finding the lost library becomes not only a quest to save her grandfather but also a mission to uncover the truth and ignite a spark of knowledge and hope in a society starved of both.
This book is the perfect middle grades book for young readers who enjoy adventure, twists and turns and need to understand the power of te written word. Frank weaves in stories from our childhood throughout the book. He also leaves his readers with a scavenger hunt hidden amongst the pages. The book is well written and will leave you hungry for your next read. After all, "the Library isn't a gift, it is a reward."
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 30, 2024
Well. So. You know. I don't know how to start this review at all.
We live in a post Blight world where all trees are gone and paper is worth more than just about anything. (Please, someone tell me I am not the only one thinking about Lorax right now. My dude would be horrified.) Juni's parents are dead and it's only her and her grandpa who is ill. So, when not in school, Juni goes plifting—scavenging for any paper she can find.
Then one day Juni finds a library card, a book and a way to find the last library! Sounds great, doesn't it?
Yes, it does sound fantastic but it just wasn't? Like, yeah I get it, this is middle grade but I have a hard time believing that no one found the library before them. The story also felt like it was all over the place? Juni's grandpa is very present for the first half of the story but then by the end he isn't mentioned at all. (Also I feel like Lorax just thinking about what happened to the library at the end. Like I guess things were fine but I don't know? I didn't like how the story ended)
But then - there are also the bad guys. Let's not forget the bad guys! They - I don't know how to say this without spoiling a lot of information - want to control everyone? And they have these scary robotic dogs(?) that they use for surveillance and attack people who do something they aren't supposed to?
As a future librarian, my heart hurts thinking about that library. I also didn't find the plot as exciting as I was hoping. I also didn't find any of the characters relatable or even very likeable. I think the reason I was able to even finish this was because I really enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook.
Sadly not my book - but I think a lot of other people might enjoy it nevertheless. I am not a big dystopian fan but I if something has the word library on the title I feel like I need to give it a try.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook-arc in exchange for my honest review!
We live in a post Blight world where all trees are gone and paper is worth more than just about anything. (Please, someone tell me I am not the only one thinking about Lorax right now. My dude would be horrified.) Juni's parents are dead and it's only her and her grandpa who is ill. So, when not in school, Juni goes plifting—scavenging for any paper she can find.
Then one day Juni finds a library card, a book and a way to find the last library! Sounds great, doesn't it?
Yes, it does sound fantastic but it just wasn't? Like, yeah I get it, this is middle grade but I have a hard time believing that no one found the library before them. The story also felt like it was all over the place? Juni's grandpa is very present for the first half of the story but then by the end he isn't mentioned at all. (Also I feel like Lorax just thinking about what happened to the library at the end. Like I guess things were fine but I don't know? I didn't like how the story ended)
But then - there are also the bad guys. Let's not forget the bad guys! They - I don't know how to say this without spoiling a lot of information - want to control everyone? And they have these scary robotic dogs(?) that they use for surveillance and attack people who do something they aren't supposed to?
As a future librarian, my heart hurts thinking about that library. I also didn't find the plot as exciting as I was hoping. I also didn't find any of the characters relatable or even very likeable. I think the reason I was able to even finish this was because I really enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook.
Sadly not my book - but I think a lot of other people might enjoy it nevertheless. I am not a big dystopian fan but I if something has the word library on the title I feel like I need to give it a try.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook-arc in exchange for my honest review!
October 10, 2024
This book is a middle grade dystopian, full of found family, adventures, wild twists, and books. Well, kind of.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐/ 5 Stars
Thirteen year old Juniper Knox lives in a world without books. She lives with her grandpa Edgar, who she pretty much takes care of instead of the other way around. After the Blight, there were no more trees left and paper is as scarce as gold. Juni lives in the mounds, a much less exquisite place, where, like everything else, it’s controlled by the multibillion company, Novexus. But after she finds a secret box her late parents left for her, and finds a true paper book, she is soon greeted by danger—but also allies, more secrets, and a lot more books.
Wow. Can you imagine a world without books? I certainly can’t. And I wouldn’t want to live in it. Much like I don’t want to live in the world Juni lives in. But Juni really wants to get to the secret library, a place full of real books. A legend. But also a legacy. Something her parents left her. But when she’s greeted by a group of outlaws—which she might become—the legend starts to feel less like a legend…
This book was an exhilarating ride to say the least. But also, really believable. I find that truly impressive when authors do this. And Frank L. Cole did exactly that. This book transported me to a totally different world. And it was really like I was living inside it.
To be completely honest, though, this book was slow in the beginning. And though I wished it was faster, there was a fair amount of context, which I guess led to the excessive introduction. This is one of those books that gets better and way faster by the second half of the book, and in that way I think this read was worth it.
I actually received the eBook along with the audiobook, and it was such a thrill to switch between with this book. The narrator, Bailey Carr, also deserved a shoutout for her amazing narration that brought the book to life. Paired with the wonderful story, this killer combo will leave your heart pumping for more.
These days I am surrounded by dystopian novels, and I think it’s a new, rising, media that I’m still getting more used to. Although I find most of my daydreams in fantasy stories far far away, I think that this book provided me with a new perspective to dystopian stories. And I’m beyond grateful. I think dystopias can be perceived and written in very different ways—just like the genre I know and love. This is a book I would totally daydream about, and I can’t wait to read more books like this! And perhaps even get inspired…
I recommend to anyone (especially middle grade readers) up for a wild ride about a secret library in a dystopian world full of adventure and mystery!
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity for me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐/ 5 Stars
Thirteen year old Juniper Knox lives in a world without books. She lives with her grandpa Edgar, who she pretty much takes care of instead of the other way around. After the Blight, there were no more trees left and paper is as scarce as gold. Juni lives in the mounds, a much less exquisite place, where, like everything else, it’s controlled by the multibillion company, Novexus. But after she finds a secret box her late parents left for her, and finds a true paper book, she is soon greeted by danger—but also allies, more secrets, and a lot more books.
Wow. Can you imagine a world without books? I certainly can’t. And I wouldn’t want to live in it. Much like I don’t want to live in the world Juni lives in. But Juni really wants to get to the secret library, a place full of real books. A legend. But also a legacy. Something her parents left her. But when she’s greeted by a group of outlaws—which she might become—the legend starts to feel less like a legend…
This book was an exhilarating ride to say the least. But also, really believable. I find that truly impressive when authors do this. And Frank L. Cole did exactly that. This book transported me to a totally different world. And it was really like I was living inside it.
To be completely honest, though, this book was slow in the beginning. And though I wished it was faster, there was a fair amount of context, which I guess led to the excessive introduction. This is one of those books that gets better and way faster by the second half of the book, and in that way I think this read was worth it.
I actually received the eBook along with the audiobook, and it was such a thrill to switch between with this book. The narrator, Bailey Carr, also deserved a shoutout for her amazing narration that brought the book to life. Paired with the wonderful story, this killer combo will leave your heart pumping for more.
These days I am surrounded by dystopian novels, and I think it’s a new, rising, media that I’m still getting more used to. Although I find most of my daydreams in fantasy stories far far away, I think that this book provided me with a new perspective to dystopian stories. And I’m beyond grateful. I think dystopias can be perceived and written in very different ways—just like the genre I know and love. This is a book I would totally daydream about, and I can’t wait to read more books like this! And perhaps even get inspired…
I recommend to anyone (especially middle grade readers) up for a wild ride about a secret library in a dystopian world full of adventure and mystery!
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity for me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!
October 22, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook of The Legend of The Last Library by Frank L. Cole.
I enjoyed the book, but felt the narrator spoke too slowly. I listened to the audiobook at 1.75 speed, and it sounded normal not rushed.
This is a middle grade dystopian book. I like that there is something that is clean for younger kids to read. I am a librarian, and I find it harder to find this type of book for a younger audience that doesn't include spicy scenes. So, thank you Frank L. Cole for making my job easier. We will be buying this book for patrons.
I thought it was a good fast paced book. After the Blight (insects) went through and destroyed all of the trees. Leaving paper to be a rare and hot commodity. The main character Juni and her friend Doler go through abandoned places in search of items that will fetch them some money. Unfortunately, most of these places are off limits and the area is patrolled by fierce robot dogs.
You follow Juni and her friend through a maze of mysteries from the past. Imagine a world without books, limited ability to access any information from the past and only a handful of people who could read. It is a scary thought.
I enjoyed the book, but felt the narrator spoke too slowly. I listened to the audiobook at 1.75 speed, and it sounded normal not rushed.
This is a middle grade dystopian book. I like that there is something that is clean for younger kids to read. I am a librarian, and I find it harder to find this type of book for a younger audience that doesn't include spicy scenes. So, thank you Frank L. Cole for making my job easier. We will be buying this book for patrons.
I thought it was a good fast paced book. After the Blight (insects) went through and destroyed all of the trees. Leaving paper to be a rare and hot commodity. The main character Juni and her friend Doler go through abandoned places in search of items that will fetch them some money. Unfortunately, most of these places are off limits and the area is patrolled by fierce robot dogs.
You follow Juni and her friend through a maze of mysteries from the past. Imagine a world without books, limited ability to access any information from the past and only a handful of people who could read. It is a scary thought.
October 15, 2024
The book had a good premise, and I think anyone who enjoys a dystopian novel would enjoy this (it is geared towards a younger audience). It takes place in a futuristic setting where paper is priceless and rarely seen, which makes a library hard to comprehend for the characters. The story plays with the topic of conspiracy theories and the danger of technology in a broken world. It is kind of slow going, but that's all part of the mystery. It wasn't my cup of tea, but I'm sure someone else would love it.
February 3, 2025
A Fahrenheit 451 for a new generation. F451 is my favorite book of all time and dystopian is my favorite subgenre but unfortunately I'm just not having fun anymore since we are living in a real life dystopia right before our very eyes and it makes me depressed as hell. Overall I really enjoyed this and hopefully young readers will see the importance of not just reading books but having information. Zeno was my favorite but I also think the side characters could have been fleshed out a little more and the ending was a bit rushed.
August 29, 2024
This was such a fascinating tale! I loved how they sought out paper to earn money and a hidden library that could only be opened by one person.
I listened to this book and enjoyed the narrator's interpretation of the characters.
This may be middle grade or YA, but I think someone of any age will enjoy this book.
I listened to this book and enjoyed the narrator's interpretation of the characters.
This may be middle grade or YA, but I think someone of any age will enjoy this book.
September 7, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for sending me an ARC in Exchange of an honest review.
I found it a strong, captivating story with likeable characters. Although I’m a bit overloaded with dystopia myself I recognized a contemporary life scenario well incorporated in the story which was well developed and presented, exciting and with vivid imagery. I also liked the pace and the ISBN trick.
Overall, a fascinating read for the age 8+ well Worth your while.
I found it a strong, captivating story with likeable characters. Although I’m a bit overloaded with dystopia myself I recognized a contemporary life scenario well incorporated in the story which was well developed and presented, exciting and with vivid imagery. I also liked the pace and the ISBN trick.
Overall, a fascinating read for the age 8+ well Worth your while.
November 25, 2024
I can’t imagine a world without libraries, ISBN, call numbers, checking out books, etc. In Juni(per)’s world all she has is an ear and eye piece connected to an altered Global Database of Learning until she went out paper lifting (plifting) in a post tree and paper world on the Mississippi. Great story. Would like to know what the connection is to the ISBN listed on each chapter.
August 24, 2024
Juni has lived with her grandfather in the Mounds ever since her parents, both archaeologists, died on a dig. With her grandfather's health failing, Juni tries to make money by plifting--a single sheet of paper could buy the costly medicine her grandfather needs. However, one night while plifting, Juni stumbles onto a mystery that involves her parents and an underground organization whose existence challenges the foundations of Juni's understanding of history and her world. As Juni struggles to make sense of a confusing welter of information, she finds that the future of humankind stands on the edge of a knife and Juni's actions could cause that knife to carve out two very different paths. The plot of this story is very engaging and I enjoyed enjoying the good guys and hating the bad guys.
January 31, 2025
I read this book so I could help my 4th grader with a school project. I had low expectations but was pleasantly surprised by this middle grade quest novel. The themes of technology and environmental problems was a bit heavy handed, but I also wasn’t the target audience for the book.
March 8, 2025
Love the creativity and storytelling in this book. There are so many dystopian novels out there, but this one takes something as simple as reading an actual physical book and turns it into a story that keeps you guessing if the Last Library will ever be found. A great read for kids and adults.
December 27, 2024
I loved the premise and the power that paper and books held in this dystopian society, but the dialogue felt a little clunky at times and the ending wrapped up too neatly for me.
March 31, 2025
This middle grade novel was so fun and had my whole
family hooked!
family hooked!
August 9, 2024
Well, this was a fun, unique middle grade book. I really enjoyed this one: the conspiracies, the backstories and plot twists and reveals, the characters. There aren't a lot of middle grade dystopian books out there, and Frank L Cole did a wonderful job of doing the genre justice!
This one comes complete with a corrupt government, a country/world torn apart by some catastrophe, and characters trying to survive and discover secrets that they might die for.
Juniper or Juni is a plifter, someone who searches and hunts for paper in a world where paper is a commodity and books are not found. When she finds a hidden book in a box that contains secrets, never did she imagine that her parents, long since deceased, were part of searching for the Last Library.
There were so many instances where I was like, ok what is going to happen next! I am really hoping this is a start to a series, though, it could also be a stand-alone novel.
I definitely recommend this one for children who enjoy dystopian novels or fun, adventure packed stories or adults who also enjoy these types of stories.
Series: maybe
Genre: Middle Grade Dystopian
Romance Level: none
Publisher: Shadow Mtn
Publishing Date: August 6, 2024
Content Warning: mild violence, no swearing, no romance/explicit content
Trigger Warnings: death of family members (past), grief from said death (present), illness of family member (present)
I received a complimentary ebook on Netgalley from the publisher Shadow Mtn. All thoughts are only my own.
This one comes complete with a corrupt government, a country/world torn apart by some catastrophe, and characters trying to survive and discover secrets that they might die for.
Juniper or Juni is a plifter, someone who searches and hunts for paper in a world where paper is a commodity and books are not found. When she finds a hidden book in a box that contains secrets, never did she imagine that her parents, long since deceased, were part of searching for the Last Library.
There were so many instances where I was like, ok what is going to happen next! I am really hoping this is a start to a series, though, it could also be a stand-alone novel.
I definitely recommend this one for children who enjoy dystopian novels or fun, adventure packed stories or adults who also enjoy these types of stories.
Series: maybe
Genre: Middle Grade Dystopian
Romance Level: none
Publisher: Shadow Mtn
Publishing Date: August 6, 2024
Content Warning: mild violence, no swearing, no romance/explicit content
Trigger Warnings: death of family members (past), grief from said death (present), illness of family member (present)
I received a complimentary ebook on Netgalley from the publisher Shadow Mtn. All thoughts are only my own.
July 7, 2025
Many fun book references.
November 4, 2024
I feel like this is a case of "it's not you, it's me." I'm giving everything I read 3 stars recently, because they're not gripping me, but they're not bad. I kind of found it hard to understand a future where people couldn't read and were discouraged from doing so but it was also a really high tech place. It just seems like those both can't be true, you know?
The story was fine for a middle grade and there were parts that piqued my interest, like her parents and their quest for the library. But as a whole, I felt disengaged.
The story was fine for a middle grade and there were parts that piqued my interest, like her parents and their quest for the library. But as a whole, I felt disengaged.
January 8, 2025
(3.5 rounded down) This was a pretty quick dystopian read. A bit quirky and creative with some of the elements, pretty well fleshed out story, and decent characters. For being a middle-grade book, I was pleasantly amused.
November 10, 2024
In the future paper has become rare and precious and corporations control the internet so information is tightly controlled. Our hero finds herself caught up with the resistance her parents had died working for as she shifts her goal from finding paper to sell on the black market to unlocking information for all.
It’s fun but doesn’t really make sense as world building.
It’s fun but doesn’t really make sense as world building.
July 11, 2024
As a middle school special education teacher, I made it my summer break goal to read more middle grade books. I love to recommend books to other people in general but I always come up short when it comes time to recommend them to my students. I originally requested The Legend of the Last Library as it reminded me of City of Ember- my favorite book in fourth grade! So, imagine my delight when City of Ember was called out about half way through. The Legend of the Last Library was a phenomenal read. The first 5 chapters start right out in an action scene that was used to do some background knowledge and world building in a way that pulled my interest into the story I was about to enter right away. Typically, I avoid the scifi/fantasy genre as I am not a fan of world building but in this case, I wish we would have gotten more; even 10-15 more pages of information would have pushed this to be a 5 star read for me. In this fast paced story we follow Juniper (Juni) Knox as she stumbles into the actual truth of everything she has ever known. Her parents were archaeologists (or were they) that died when she was little. Shortly after their death, she receives a mysterious box that is mostly ignored for the next 6 years until a piece of plastic with a strange symbol opens the box, and Juni’s eyes. I will be recommending this to everyone I know. Long live libraries.
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