Librarians are modern day heroes and champions who create spaces for people to gather and find information. We never stop fighting for equality, equal access, and a place in this world! ( )

Full disclosure - I know the author via GoodReads, because she hosts the group Great Middle Grade Reads. However, I would have wanted to read this book anyway, because libraries are my favorite places and librarians are my favorite people.

The book did not disappoint. Pictures, story, and book design work together to make Miss RoseAleta's point that Respectable towns have libraries filled with children." It's a serious message, presented lightly, and will probably motivate readers to dare to make a change. That is to say, it'd be a funny and cute enough adventure if it were fiction, but the fact that it is a true story gives it real impact." ( )

A great story, obviously.

A fun and engaging picture book about Librarian RoseAleta Laurell and her quest to fund the childrens area of her library. Loud and boisterous, her opening "GOOD MORNING!" disturbed the old librarian, who told her she was disrrupting the readers. She replied "What readers?" and was quite correct, for there were none. The old library was devoid of readers, and kids went nowhere near the old place. So, after fundraising attempts failed she took drastic action and set up a tent on the roof, vowing to not come down until it was funded. One week, storms and rain and $39,000 later, the town had the money and she came down triumphantly after being a tourist attraction.
All in all, a good picture book with a fun and true story! ( )

When RoseAleta Laurell arrives at the Dr. Eugene C. Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas, she bursts in with a hearty “GOOD MORNING,” and is promptly shushed so as not to disturb the readers. “HORSEFEATHERS! WHAT READERS?” she correctly remarks. RoseAleta makes sweeping changes to the library, bringing in new books and magazines, and a welcoming, lighthearted atmosphere, which the rich, the poor, the farmers, and the townsfolk… but not the children. RoseAleta plans parties and parades and attractions for the children, but they remained reluctant to come to the library: “The library is for grownups,” they said. RoseAleta realizes that children need a space just for them, with lots more books, color, cozy chairs, and computers. After fundraising attempts fell short, RoseAleta takes extreme measures: she decides to go to the top of the library roof and stay there until enough funds are secured to build a proper children’s library. Her drastic step raises awareness, and the town springs into action. The $39,000 raised transforms the library – and the town.

Curriculum: this would be a great mentor text to use for summarizing non fiction texts in a secondary classroom.

King, M.G. (2010). Librarian on the roof! (S. Gilpin, illus.). Chicago: Albert Whitman and Company.