It's a cute read with a great message that kids can make change in this world. I enjoyed the honest conversations about friendship!

Even when she has fallouts with her friends, Hetty can always rely on the library. It is the place where she feels most at home, surrounded by books and other people who love them too. That is until librarian Ms Juster learns that the headteacher has new plans and will be closing the library. Hetty is desperate to save her beloved library and Ms Juster's job, but to help, she'll have to reconcile with her friends and pull the school together.

'If there's one thing I've learned from reading books, it's that there's hardly anything that you can't do something about.' p19

It's a charming book. That sums it up perfectly. It feels encouraging and entertaining- a thoroughly enjoyable read for a young audience.

This is a decent representation of a British secondary school. There are the issues of staff sharing confidential details with children, but they'd learn gossip quickly anyway. The headteacher just handing the librarian a dismissal note one day would be unlikely to happen; there are too many steps to be taken before this point and it would never be undertaken in this manner. Although, there are indeed pressures on school libraries causing many to close, decrease in size and/or lose designated staff. However, the social dynamics, form allocations and school hierarchy are all true.

Scattered throughout are Tuya's delightful illustrations that help to emphasise key plot points. The clear facial expressions and character differentiation are supportive of those reading from context clues. Each image is composed of multiple layers making them useful for drawing discussion points, such as 'do all the children feel the same about what's just happened?'

Even though this is aimed at older-aged children, there is the odd remark that feels inappropriate, such as 'Ali looks like I've stabbed a puppy in front of him and laughed while I did it' (p15). Books don't need to be censored for children, but the tone should remain consistent; this one states that 'idiot' is bad language (p18), which is (arguably) far tamer than attacking pets.

Numerous quotes can be taken from this text, either as material ideal for featuring around a library or classroom display or simply as poignant phrases that will stick with even young readers. This book is a fantastic example of simplifying the writing style without consequence on the topic.

'Stories are how I make sense of the world and how I feel about stuff. You know when you read a book and somehow some author you've never met has written down exactly how you feel about something? And then it helps you have the right words for how you feel? That's what I love about reading.' p4

Also, the author's nod to her other work is fun to see.

This early chapter book is perfect for all book-loving middle grade readers. Broken into about 10 chapters and covers only 69 pages, a great length for readers who are just getting ready for chapter books and aren't quite ready for long and complex books. Chapters include some black and white illustrations which break up longer pieces of text and help with comprehension, two things that will make this book less intimidating and easier to read for this age group. Added to that, the font is fairly large and is really accessible, it even has the true a and opentail g (regular printed letters lol) making it even easier to read.

Enough of that teacher-y reading stuff! Hetty and the Battle of the Books is about a girl and her three (former) friends who work together to try to save their school library (and librarian) which is in danger because of budget cuts. Despite having recently gone separate ways, the group of four bffs, known as the ladybirds, realize that working for a common goal like this one is a great way to get a friendship back on track. The problem in the story is realistic and something that young readers will quickly engage with. This chapter book demonstrates the importance and power of libraries and access to information, and reminds readers that they have a voice and can make change, even at a young age. The main characters are in year 7 (which is about the equivalent to grade 6), which makes them seem older and cooler, and reminds younger readers that even older kids have friendship trouble sometimes and that misunderstandings are common and both can be fixed.

I would highly recommend this book to parents and teachers of book-loving early middle grade readers in the age 6-10 range who are excited to read chapter books! I could definitely see this book fitting well in my grade 3 classroom library. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this lovely book!

Hetty is upset at her friends but must ask for their help in order to save her school's library.

This was adorable. It was such a fast read but it still made me feel all the things. I loved Hetty and her voice from the start. I love the illustrations, I loved the story. This was just a perfect little read that every child out there should read!

An absolutely delightful book that so accurately depicts the magic of school libraries and just how much they mean to the students that use them. A school library is so much more than a room full of books and a librarian is so much more than their custodian. But the story does not shy away from the reality of many school libraries today, the precarious situation many school librarians and their staff find continue to find themselves in. It does so without ever becoming over pessimistic, and common sense prevails thankfully. "Hetty and the Battle of the Books" is a wonderful love letter to libraries which comes straight from the heart, and written in a way that only someone who has experienced its magic first hand, can write it.

Such a cute yet important story! I didn’t realize how short it was, the book is 80 pages which is perfect for the younger middle grade set. I plan on reading this with my rising 3rd grader’s book club as it’s the perfect length for that age yet features older characters which is appealing for the younger elementary crowd. As their own school library was closed years ago and we’re now just talking about reopening it, the topic is very relevant to my children and their friends!

The main character is Hetty, and the action starts from the very beginning. The school library is closing down and the beloved librarian is getting laid off, and Hetty decides that she must work with other students to keep it open!

There is some friend drama, as Hetty is also in the midst of a disagreement with her closest friends and feels very alone, and that her friends have dropped her. I think this part was so realistic for kids these days. It resonated with me a lot, and I appreciated learning about both sides. I myself have heard from my own children about their own falling outs with their friends, and it’s important for kids to see that they all go through this. It’s part of growing up!

All on all, a lovely book in a very short package. Can’t wait to read it with my third grader daughter and her friends.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book from such a beloved childrens’ author!

Hetty and the Battle of the Books is about a girl in grade 7 who has had a falling out with her friends and who is trying to save her school library. It is written in a way that I believe it will appeal to students in 2-4th grade. While this story is mainly about Hetty trying to save her school library I actually prefer the storyline of Hetty reconnecting with her friends. I feel like this part of the story is much more relatable for younger audiences.

A delightful book for all of the family to read together. Please don't blame me when the children start running protests at school, this inspired them and they started making a list of things they wanted to change, oops.

This book really resonated with me, it was so relatable on so many levels and it gave me all the feels. Well written with a compelling plot and well developed characters. I think kids will love it.

A brilliant love letter to the importance of libraries and the safe spaces they are for many school children. The book wonderfully highlights the treasure trove of diversity that the library can be - places for so many different activities and interests, in addition to all of the glorious books!

Hetty is aghast when she discovers that her school library will be closing. She makes plans to save it, but first needs to fix some friendship misunderstandings.

A pacy, fun story about the importance of friendship, communication and working together.

I really enjoyed this story - thank you NetGalley for the review copy.

A fun and heartwarming read about a group of middle-graders who try to save their school library from closing down. At the heart of this novella is a lovely tribute to libraries, books and everyone who has ever found solace in them. It also highlights activism at a level that I think is appropriate for younger audiences. The characters are delightful and Hetty's voice felt very authentic, with some of her lines making me laugh.

The only downside is I wish the antagonist was less one-dimensional. However, I really enjoyed seeing everyone rally together for a good cause.

I adore Anna James and have read all of Pages and Co so far. When I saw this book was being released I couldn't help but be excited. I loved the nods to Anna James in the book and how special libraries and bookshops can be to people. They are a safe space worth celebrating.

A cute little story about how a girl attempts to save her school library.

Hetty loves libraries and her school library is her favourite place. After having a major fallout with her best friends Ali, Mei and Rocket, the library has been her place of refuge. But when the head teacher announces that the library will be closed down due to budget constraints, Hetty knows she has to spring into action. And that she can’t get by without a little help from her EX- friends, even if she is still angry at what they did (or didn’t do.)

The story is written in the first person pov of Hetty and it sounds just like a child is talking, what with the exaggerated feelings and the OTT reactions. It was fun to hear Hetty blasting her way through situations while still making her point. She wasn’t a likeable character for a great part of the book but she still makes for an effective protagonist. (And she does love books and characters such as Anne of Green Gables and Lyra from His Dark Materials – I’ve gotta be forgiving!)

The book covers many themes. Other than the obvious one about the importance of libraries and books, it also tackles friendship, communication, standing up for what’s right, importance of teamwork, listening, and not taking friends for granted.

There are some cute and whacky illustrations in the book and these add to the fun of the story.

The representation is very well done. One of the older students uses the they/them pronouns, and I liked this choice, though a few younger kids might be confused while reading. It is a great opportunity for parents/guardians to introduce the idea of how these pronouns work in their singular form.

As with all Barrington Stoke books, this publication is hi-lo (high interest, low ability), meaning the content is appropriate to the age of the reader but the text is edited to suit a lower reading age. This makes the content perfect for everyone aged 6+.

The only thing I didn’t like was the way the story broke the fourth wall – it doesn’t work convincingly in the flow of the narrative and breaks the impact of the story.

Overall though, this is a wonderful read, filled with fun moments and groups efforts. Definitely recommended to tweens and above.

4.25 stars.

My thanks to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for the DRC of “Hetty and the Battle of the Books”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Hetty is having a hard year in school. Her friends have other interests and now she finds out the library is closing. Everyone uses the school library-clubs, reading, hanging out., Hetty starts to investigate why they want to close the library and with the help of her “old” friends, they start a campaign to help the library to stay open.

This was a sweet book, which is very timely. It was a quick read and would be great for early chapter reader!

This is a book to make every school librarian or library advocate’s heart soar! As regular readers of my blog will know, I have loved Barrington Stoke books since discovering their titles for one of my own children almost twenty years ago. I have greatly enjoyed the books that they have commissioned from many of the top writers for children in the intervening years and Hetty and the Battle of the Books has just jumped straight to the top of my favourites list.

It is a funny, thoughtful, powerful manifesto for the necessity of having a library and a trained librarian in every school, published in fully accessible format so that it can be read and enjoyed by the very individuals to whom a library often matters the most. Anna James has wonderfully captured the voice of a quirky Year 7 pupil, Hetty, who is going through the friendship issues which occur so commonly as children progress from primary to secondary school. Her place of sanctuary is the school library, which in this story is presided over by Ms Juster, a librarian who knows how to cater for the needs of every pupil who enters her domain. When Hetty learns that the dastardly headteacher, Mr McCarthy, plans to close the library and make Ms Juster redundant, she puts her outrage into action, recruits her former friends to the cause and designs her own campaign to save the library. In a book of approximately one hundred pages the narrative crackles with a sense of urgency and is heavily laced with Hetty’s wry sense of humour. I absolutely adored the greyscale illustrations throughout by Jez Tuya, I am not aware of seeing his artwork before but I shall certainly be on the lookout for further books that he illustrates.

I urge all school librarians and literacy coordinators to purchase a copy of Hetty and the Battle of the Books for your pupils to enjoy, I think it will appeal to all readers of 8-13. In my opinion, this quote from the penultimate chapter summarises all that is magical about school libraries:

"You can do your homework there as well as visit a faraway kingdom. You can research the Tudors as well as meet a Greek god, all from a beanbag. You can watch a film, or make a newspaper, or play Dungeons and Dragons. Or you can just read a good book…Because a library is a place for everyone…"

Chapter 9


I am most grateful to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for allowing me access to an e-ARC prior to publication, and I will certainly be buying a paperback copy when it is published on 7th July 2022.

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

As soon as I saw this book by Anna James I had to have it. I adore Tilly and the Bookworms series so much and love how Anna writes about the passion for books. And this short story was no different. It’s an ode to libraries, school libraries and librarians. And for me this book (yet again one I wish I had written myself) embodies all of that perfectly. My secondary school library was a haven for me, my favourite place in the world with the most wonderful librarians. Libraries and librarians are underrated and so such a wonderful job and create a beautiful magical place to be. So this book is right up my street already but this book perfectly does all of that. I’m not a short story sort of person but this was great, could immediately start to get to know the main characters, understand the setting and you felt like you were there too (that may also be my son experience coming into play too)
Love it!

When Hetty has a falling out with her friends, she retreats into the delights of her school library. But her headmaster is about to remove her favourite place in the world, plans are afoot to close the library, and the pupils are about to stage a rebellion. But will Hetty's fight with her ex-best friends get in the way?

An engaging story that encourages readers to see the joy in friendship and the power of libraries. I loved that the author had a diverse group of characters who were geeks too. It made the group of friends so relatable. The illustrations were bold and perfectly matched the story, the cover was charming too.

So many things to love in this book!

Libraries ARE magical!!
What would YOU do without your local library? I don’t even want to think about THAT situation. My family and I live in my local library.
This middle grade book features a brave young girl, Hetty, that stands up for her school library and librarian. With a little bit or mystery and a lot of adventure, Hetty and her school mates fight to keep their library after school budget cuts plan to close it down.

With a touch of British flair, this is a fun light read great for middle grade and beginning middle grade readers. This would make for a great conversation with young readers on what they would stand up and advocate for.

Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & Barrington Stoke

I loved this!! I’m here for kids fighting for their library. I’m here for kids having honest conversations about friendship. I’m here for the importance of libraries and stories. Anna James is a wonder and I could read her writing forever!

Thank you to #NeyGalley, Anna James, and the publisher for the eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hetty loves reading and her school library! So when she finds out that the school is going to get rid of the library and the librarian due to budget cuts Hetty is very upset. Hetty and her friends decide to come up with a plan to save the library! The only questions is, will they be able to do it?

This was a great little story that I enjoyed reading! I loved Hetty's passion for the library and the determination she showed to save it. I think Hetty will be a great role model for younger readers because it will show them the importance of fighting for what is important to them.