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From Kirkus

July 1, 2024
Juniper Knox lives in a post-apocalyptic world: Following a Blight caused by insects that killed the trees, paper is a rare commodity, and information is power. When Juni was 6, her archaeologist parents died while searching for the Last Library. Now, 13-year-old Juni seeks books, too. She hopes to auction off every scrap of paper she finds so she can buy medicine for ailing Grandpa Edgar. In her quest, she meets Kobyn Garcia and his mother, who reveal the truth about the Blight and the rise of Novexus Corporation, which controls every aspect of people's lives. They explain that all paper was burned a century ago in an effort to end the Blight; with it, the historical record was conveniently destroyed. Now, the populace only learns what Novexus wants them to--and nothing will change unless the Last Library can be found and its information shared. Juni struggles to believe this history, especially given some revelations about her parents. Excitement builds as Juni takes the lead in the hunt for the Library, triggering dramatic conflicts with Novexus. It's possible that all will be lost unless the searchers take a huge risk. In a delight to bibliophiles, Cole weaves lovely testimonies to the power of reading and the acquisition of knowledge into the text. Juni reads white; names cue ethnic diversity among the cast. A thoughtful yet action-driven tale to read again and again and share with friends. (Dystopian. 8-12)

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