The Library Book

The Library Book is by Susan Orlean. A wonderful nonfiction book. In 1986 the Los Angeles Central Public Library burned. The fire lasted seven hours and destroyed over 400,000 books and damaged 700,000 more, many other items on microfilm, pictures, rare, and historic items, etc. were lost forever and can never be replaced. A young man was arrested, but was never brought to trial. Orlean traces the story of the fire itself, as well as the accused arsonist, but she also tackles the history of California libraries and the changes the modern world has brought to libraries in general. If you have ever used a public library or wondered what librarians really do all day, this is the book for you. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).