A charming book for children, or indeed anyone who likes dragons, libraries, women in academia, or Cambridge. Maria is studying for her PhD, but a dragon has stolen all the books she needs from the library! Can she travel across the country on her bicycle to find them, and what else will she find on the way? The authorial voice is endearing, the take-home message of believing in yourself and just trying to do what needs to be done is affirming, and the book comes with a cake recipe (which I have not yet tried, so cannot review). ( )

Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com

Maria is going to school to become a doctor of Asnac (study of people long, long ago) and is starting to write her final paper for her degree. When she goes to the library to get the books she needs, a dragon has taken all of them.

With the hope of being able to write her paper, she sets off on a journey to discover what she needs to defeat a dragon. She finds a magic sword, courage, and a friend. This dragon, however, is not your typical dragon - and it will take a lot more than the information in a story and a magic sword to help her get the books back.

Will Maria discover what she needs in order to get the dragon to give her back the books she requires?

NOT ORDINARILY BORROWABLE is a unique story that is a quick and entertaining read. The characters are amusing, especially the dragon. Avid and reluctant readers alike will recognize and enjoy reading about characters from other stories who come to life with Thurman's story.

Lovers of fantasy, adventure, dragons, and libraries will enjoy reading this book. ( )

A dragon stole books from the Library. Maria, a scholar, needed those very books to help write her thesis. She decided to track down the dragon and get back the stolen books. This was a Harry potterish story without the magic, but in a fantasy style. I read it as an e-book, so I'm not sure if it's illustrated in the printed form, but putting in pictures would be perfect for children and adults of all ages. I loved the part when Maria pulled a sword from the stone, It's quote was " Who pulls this sword from this stone is rightfull lord and master of himself" or herself as the case may be. ( )

Sweet, if short. Libraries and dragons and young lady academics and the importance of cut-and-come-again cake. Lovely for reading aloud. ( )