The Library of Shadows

About this book

Funny, moving, and heart-achingly real, this romantic romp and paranormal romcom debut—through a haunted library with trapdoors, ghosts, and memories—is full of great love that triumphs over even death, perfect for fans of Ninth House and Cemetery Boys. Radcliffe Prep. The third most haunted school in the country, where a student disappearance isn’t uncommon and no one dares stay in the library after dark. And Este Logano enrolls with the hopes of finding her dead father. Not literally, of course. She doesn’t believe in ghosts. Going to her dad’s school just seems like her best hope at figuring out who he was. But then Este meets Mateo, who is maybe—probably—definitely—a real ghost. And an annoying one at that. When Mateo frames Este for the theft of a rare book from the library’s secret s

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Why widely assigned

This Young Adult Fiction title, typically at grades 9–12. Published in the canon; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

• South Carolina Young Adult Book Award

  • recommended·9th grade · South Carolinasource: South Carolina Young Adult Book Award (South Carolina Association of School Librarians) — 2025-2026 nominees, grades 9-12; SC students read the slate and vote. Nominee list via the SC State Library StudySC portal + SCASL. — 2025-2026 nominee
  • recommended·10th grade · South Carolinasource: South Carolina Young Adult Book Award (South Carolina Association of School Librarians) — 2025-2026 nominees, grades 9-12; SC students read the slate and vote. Nominee list via the SC State Library StudySC portal + SCASL. — 2025-2026 nominee
  • recommended·11th grade · South Carolinasource: South Carolina Young Adult Book Award (South Carolina Association of School Librarians) — 2025-2026 nominees, grades 9-12; SC students read the slate and vote. Nominee list via the SC State Library StudySC portal + SCASL. — 2025-2026 nominee
  • recommended·12th grade · South Carolinasource: South Carolina Young Adult Book Award (South Carolina Association of School Librarians) — 2025-2026 nominees, grades 9-12; SC students read the slate and vote. Nominee list via the SC State Library StudySC portal + SCASL. — 2025-2026 nominee

Common questions

What grade level is The Library of Shadows?

The Library of Shadows is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 9–12. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.

How long does it take to read The Library of Shadows?

It takes about 4h 45m to read The Library of Shadows (258 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 285 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

What curricula assign The Library of Shadows?

The Library of Shadows appears on reading lists for South Carolina Young Adult Book Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is The Library of Shadows banned in schools?

The Library of Shadows does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.