About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts questioning why we save old things or expresses a deep curiosity about how people from the past communicated before the internet. It is a sophisticated but accessible look at the rise and fall of the greatest intellectual hub of antiquity, focusing on the human drive to collect and preserve the world's wisdom. While the book details the logistical marvels of the library and the scholars who worked there, it also gently touches on the tragedy of cultural loss. Trumble handles the destruction of the library with historical nuance, making it a perfect choice for middle-grade readers who are ready to explore the fragile nature of history and the importance of resilience in the face of setbacks. It is an excellent bridge between ancient history and modern information science.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The approach to the library's destruction is secular and historical. It addresses the loss of knowledge directly but realistically, acknowledging that while much was lost, some ideas survived through copies and oral tradition. The resolution is bittersweet, emphasizing that our current knowledge is built on these ancient foundations.
