Patrica Polacco has lived a challenging but storied life. In my review of The Art of Miss Chew, I touch on some of her experiences. What makes her storytelling remarkable is how she addresses her struggles honestly but also converts them into tales of hope and gratitude. Like The Art of Miss Chew, Palace of Books is a testament to the power of kindness and intervention at pivotal moments. And just like that book, I absolutely love Palace of Books!
In Palace of Books, Patricia’s family moves away from her grandparents’ farm, a place of beauty and joy in her young life. Trisha has a deep bond with her grandparents and the birds that frequent their farm, so leaving feels like losing a piece of her soul.
When she arrives at their new home, she is thrilled to discover a bird’s nest just outside her bedroom window. Those little birds help her feel as though the farm isn’t so far away after all.
Trisha’s mother, a teacher at her new school, often stays late, so Trisha walks home with her brother or on her own. One day, she stumbles upon a “palace” with lion statues out front. At dinner, her mother explains that it’s the public library—a place where people can borrow books to read.
When Trisha steps inside the library, she is captivated by its collection of beautiful art books. The kind librarian, Mrs. Creavy, takes an interest in her, and the two become fast friends. One day, Mrs. Creavy leads Trisha into a special room, hands her a pair of white gloves, and shows her a massive leather-bound book. It is a collection of works by one of the greatest watercolorists of all time: John James Audubon. Trisha is enchanted, both by the artwork and the birds it depicts.
Meanwhile, at school, Trisha struggles to keep up with her classmates in learning to read. Though the story concludes on a hopeful note, readers familiar with Polacco’s work will recognize this as the beginning of a long, challenging journey. It would take years before her reading disability was identified and addressed.
Perhaps it’s my love for libraries and books, my admiration for Audubon, or simply the excellence of the story itself, but Palace of Books is my favorite Patricia Polacco book.