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The Library of Unruly Treasures
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  • Published: 28 October 2025
  • ISBN: 9798217116836
  • Imprint: RHUS Children's Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 352
  • RRP: $26.00

The Library of Unruly Treasures

Formats & editions
Paperback
28 Oct 2025
EBook
5 Aug 2025
Audiobook
5 Aug 2025
Hardback
3 Sept 2025
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The Borrowers meets Matilida in this funny, winning story of a girl who finds herself an unlikely hero when she stumbles upon a big secret about little creatures. The latest book from the National Book Award winning author of the Penderwicks series.

The Borrowers meets Matilida in this funny, winning story of a girl who finds herself an unlikely hero when she stumbles upon a big secret about little creatures. The latest book from the National Book Award winning author of the Penderwicks series.

Gwen MacKinnon's parents are dreadful. Truly, deeply, almost impressively dreadful. So Gwen's not upset at all when she's foisted onto her never-before-seen Uncle Matthew for two weeks. Especially when it turns out he has a very opinionated dog named Pumpkin.

Things take a turn for the weird when Gwen makes a discovery in the local library. A discovery that involves tiny creatures with wings.  And no, they're not birds. They're called Lanukan. But why can only Gwen and the youngest children, gathered for storytime, see them?

The Ladhukan insist that Gwen is destined to help them find a new home. But how can a girl as unwanted, uncourageous, and generally unheroic as Gwen possibly come to the rescue? Pumpkin has a few ideas...
  • Published: 28 October 2025
  • ISBN: 9798217116836
  • Imprint: RHUS Children's Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 352
  • RRP: $26.00
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About the author

Jeanne Birdsall

Jeanne Birdsall is the National Book Award–winning author of the children's book The Penderwicks and its sequel, The Penderwicks on Gardam Street, both of which were also New York Times bestsellers. She grew up in the suburbs west of Philadelphia, where she attended wonderful public schools. Although Birdsall first decided to become a writer when she was 10 years old, it took her until she was 41 to get started. In the years in between, Birdsall had many strange jobs to support herself while working hard as a photographer. Birdsall's photographs are included in the permanent collections of museums, including the Smithsonian and the Philadelphia Art Museum. She lives with her husband in Northampton, Massachusetts. Their house is old and comfortable, full of unruly animals, and surrounded by gardens.
portrait photo of Jeanne Birdsall

Also by Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
Teaflet and Roog Make a Mess
The Penderwicks at Last
My Favorite Pets
The Penderwicks in Spring
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
The Penderwicks
See all

Praise for The Library of Unruly Treasures

Praise for The Penderwicks:

"Adults who have been longing to find books for children that remind them of their own beloved childhood favorites, look no further. Birdsall follows in the footsteps of Elizabeth Enright, Edward Eager, and Noel Streatfeild, updating the family story yet keeping all the old-fashioned charm." --Booklist, Starred

"From start to finish, this is a summer holiday to savor."--Publishers Weekly, Starred

"Somewhere, there are families like the Penderwicks. Lucky them. The rest of us just get to read about them. Lucky us." --Kirkus Reviews

"This is a book to cherish and to hold close like a warm, cuddly blanket that you draw around yourself to keep out the cold." --School Library Journal, Starred