In this breathtaking middle grade graphic novel full of magic and mystery, bestselling creators Barbara Perez Marquez and Lissy Marlin ink a story that explores the power of memories, for fans of Pixar’s Inside Out and The Moth Keeper.
OUT AUGUST 25TH, 2026
The Libray of Memories by Barbara Perez Marquez, Illustrated by Lissy Marlin
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | Little, Brown Ink; August 25, 2026
Genres: Graphic Novel | Middle Grade | Fantasy
Pages: 328 Pages, paperback
Format: NetGalley Reader
Source: NetGalley
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Trigger Warnings: LGBTQ representation, Grief, Depression, Violence, Loss
Rated: Middle Grade, Age 8-12
★★★☆☆ | 3 / 5
Summary
Copenhagen arrived at the library one day with little memory of who she is, and she’s been stuck here ever since. She takes to helping preserve the library alongside the wise mechanical creatures who tend to its care, but the longer she stays, the more she forgets. Unless she can find her memories, Copenhagen will cease to remember everything that makes her who she is.
But the library has been losing magic for quite some time, and with it, all the memories it holds. To save this wondrous place from ruin, Copenhagen will have to journey deeper into the library than she’s ever ventured before, even if what she finds shatters everything she thought she knew.
My Review
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for this advance copy, in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fantasy graphic novel for ages 8-12. It is the story of a young girl named Copenhagen who discovers she is living inside a Library of Memories. She has lost her own memories and is trying to find herself in this vast landscape. There is mystery and magic surrounding the main character as we journey through the halls of the Library with her.
The artwork is stunning, with expressive facial expressions and beautifully designed environments and characters. There are many small details throughout the story that I found charming and appreciated.
However, the story fell short by leaving too many questions unanswered. How did the Library of Memories come into existence? Does it hold other people’s memories, or was it solely designed for her, or by her? There are some clues that point towards that, but it is left unresolved and vaguely up to the reader to discover.
From a child’s perspective, I think this story may hold some important life lessons to consider, especially when it comes to the topic of grief and loss. Unfortunately, the story may just as well confuse them as it did me. There is also LGBTQ+ representation in this graphic novel, for parents who would prefer to know this ahead of time.
★★★☆☆ | 3 / 5
