The Secret Library

Time Travel, Pirates, Secret Family History!

12-year-old Dally has had enough of her business-minded mom’s insistence on practicality over the spirit of adventure her late grandfather instilled in her. When she follows her grandpa’s clues, Dally discovers a library that transports her to secret moments. There, Dally uncovers her family’s complicated history as she interacts with pirates, brothers who fight over identity, and Juneteenth parties. 

This big-hearted and sometimes perilous adventure helps Dally understand her family and herself. It also tells a story about how history shapes us and our communities. I particularly liked how Dally’s mom is portrayed. There are some relatable tensions between mother and daughter, but as we see more of her mom’s personal history and emotions, we slowly understand why she acts the way she does. This is also shown on a society-level as we see the impact of systemic racism on a whole family lineage as well as the values and stories that get passed down (or rebelled against.) Ultimately, this is a fun adventure romp! But it also doesn’t lose sight of the humanity and complexity of its characters.