Here Lies the Librarian

Peck, Richard (2006). Here Lies the Librarian. New York: Dial Books

Grade Levels: 6-7

Category: Problem novel

Read-Alouds: pp. 5-12 (PeeWee working at the shop, meeting girls for first time), 51-55 (social at the library), 71-74 (Kirby’s stealing car), 145-148 (brother leaving home).

Summary: “PeeWee” works with her older brother at his automotive shop, hating school and reading until the library hires four older girls from the city to run the local library. She befriends the girls and they try to “civilize” PeeWee, and make very slow progress. When her brother moves to the city to work at a car factory and leaves her there alone, she decides to become more feminine.

Themes: The main theme in this story is sexual stereotypes. show more This story is set in the early 1900’s, when women were expected not to work on or drive cars. PeeWee loves both of these. Also, family values are challenged because PeeWee and her brother live alone, him having to raise her.

Discussion Questions:
Why do the Kirby’s try to sabotage the garage? What does this lead to?
What do you make of PeeWee’s brother leaving her behind?
Does the plan to feminize PeeWee work or not work? What leads to this?

Reader Response: Overall, this story is very nice. It is well written, and has a definite sense of voice. You don’t realize that PeeWee is a female until well into the second chapter, which makes you really think about what stereotypes we all have towards women. I really enjoyed this part of the novel, because at first it seems that the author is challenging these stereotypes. By the end though, it seemed to me like he was more trying to reaffirm them. So, at first I really liked the story, but because of this, I disliked it overall. It was well written and I felt that it was very believable. However, PeeWee wasn’t able to follow her dreams through because she was a woman. I disagree with teaching this novel to students because it will make them feel like as a man they can’t pursue a career that is traditionally female, and vise versa. show less

Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck - I've been reading Peck since the Blossom Culp days and he always delivers a good story. A Year Down Yonder made me laugh out loud, and so did this one. Of course, you know I picked it up because of the title. After all, how could I resist a book that takes place in a town that had a librarian named Electra Dietz? Although libraries and library science students play a big part in the story, it really all belongs to Eleanor "PeeWee" McGrath, who operates a garage with her big brother Jake. It's the early 20th century and automobiles are just becoming an accepted form of transportation, and women are driving as often as men. Four refined but forward-thinking women arrive one day in a lovely show more Stoddard-Dayton automobile and promptly have a flat in front of PeeWee's garage. Although she fixes the flat, PeeWee has no idea that these women will turn her world upside down. The story is typical Peck -- lots of laughs, goofy characters, and wonderful language. I was particularly taken with this exchange between Irene Ridpath, the forward-thinking library science student, and PeeWee:

* "Grace, Lodelia, and Geraldine? They'll soon be reporting for duty [in the library]. Presently, they are floating on Lake Maxinkuckee in canoes with beaus."

"Beaus? What are they?"

"Suitors. Gentlemen callers. Fraternity men with ukuleles."

"Oh." I strove to picture this. "Are they spooning?"

"Or reading aloud," Irene said.

If you like Peck, you love this story. He's beginning to remind me of Norman Rockwell -- instead of painting those goofy slices of early American life, Peck writes them. show less

This book was great fun from the first word, and it zooms right along to the last. Peewee McGrath is living with her brother, trying to finish out eighth grade and eke out a living at a ramshackle automobile garage in 1914 when the librarians come. First they come on a driving trip, where their car breaks down. Then they come to interview for the job as librarian at the small town’s library, which barely has enough money to pay them. There is an auto race at the county fair, a hilarious library tea and lots of action. This tends to distract from the historical parts, but it is great. So funny, and the library parts are priceless. Peewee is a girl of her own mind, mostly raised by her older brother. She is not really a typical girl, show more and in fact, doesn’t want to go to high school. Things are connected seamlessly, including a fight between the McGraths and the larger garage which could have been scary. But it’s quick and just really well written. A definite recommendation. Another funny thing about this book is that Peewee's real name is Eleanor McGrath, and I knew an Eleanor McGrath who was a librarian too. Weird coincidence. show less

Found this delightful book misfiled in the adult section of the local Library; actually written for "young adults" although young teens would be more appropriate but this day and age of such overriding fear of "offending" anyone, "young adult" it shall be. Read it anyway--in fact, straight through without taking a deep breath. Wonderfully written. Wished Richard Peck had been writing when I was young--perhaps I'd realized sooner that I could be anything I wanted if I had the skill, brains, and will rather than have my choices rather limited to teacher (a truly wonderful profession not truly appreciated), or housewife and mother (also wonderful professions little appreciated). However, generations of women having their choices so show more limited--now that was truly sad. Some escaped, but many of us . . .? Well that's another story. show less

It's 1914 in rural Indiana and Eleanor McGrath just wants to be a mechanic like her brother. Unfortunately, her plans are derailed by the arrival in town of four beautiful young ladies who have come to replace the town librarian. Reluctantly, Eleanor (a.k.a. Peewee) begins to learn the things young ladies have to know, although she's still just as likely to change oil or race cars as ever. She's a bit jealous as her brother falls for one of the young ladies, an heiress to an Indianapolis motor car company, and she begins to deal with the changes that are taking place in her life.

I liked this one better than I thought I would, although it turned out to be all about cars and mechanics, races and the competing car shop's plots against the show more McGrath shop. The subject matter of cars will be a selling point for boys, the tender coming-of-age of Eleanor will be a selling point for girls. show less

I've only recently been introduced to Richard Peck's work, and...wow! How have I missed these literary gems??!! I love Pecks dry wit and likable characters. This story is set in small town USA at the beginning of the automobile era. A series of unusual events change Pewee and Jake's lives forever. A must read!!

Peewee and Jake McGrath, a brother and sister in a small Indiana town in the 1910's, live a meager existence surviving on the money they make from repairing cars. However, when 4 female students come to town to take the librarian's job, the opportunities for Pewee and Jake drastically improve.

The first few pages of this book did not hook me. However, the more I read, the better it got. I enjoy Peck's humor, especially the part where they find the librarian dead with the library cards in her hands. Also, I think it is interesting that Peck has included adults who kind of save the day for Pewee and Jake. Most of the time it is young adults who are the heroes in such books.

Honors and Awards: None