Cover of The Note in the Library Book

Wren returns a library book on a quiet Tuesday afternoon. Otto, the new librarian, checks the book back in.

Something falls out of the pages. It is a small, folded note. Otto picks it up and reads it.

The note says, "Meet me at the fountain, three o'clock, Friday." There is no name on it.

"This book is very old," Otto says. "The note is probably many years old too."

Wren looks at the book's return card inside the cover. It has names and dates written by hand.

"Look," Wren says. "This name is from ten years ago. Maybe it's the same person."

Otto is new at the library and doesn't know the old system. Wren explains how the card works.

They find three names from that year. Wren checks the library's old newsletter on the shelf.

"This name matches," Wren says. "She worked here on Fridays, ten years ago."

Otto smiles. "You are very good at this," he says. "And you only started today."

They decide to leave the note in a new book. The next reader can find it.

"Someone will find it," Wren says, "just like we did."

🧠 Check your understanding

  1. What does Otto find inside the returned book?

    Show answer

    Answer: A small folded note

    Something falls out of the pages. It is a small, folded note.

  2. How does Wren help Otto?

    Show answer

    Answer: By reading the return card and finding old names

    Wren looks at the book's return card and finds names and dates written by hand.

  3. What do they decide to do with the note?

    Show answer

    Answer: Leave it in a new book for someone else to find

    They decide to leave the note in a new book for the next reader.

Enjoyed it? Hear the full story and look up any word in the app

  • Tap any word to see its meaning
  • Hear every story in full and read offline
  • Review vocabulary, practice pronunciation and take quizzes
Get it on Google Play