Libby Reads book club launches with family-friendly pick: The Village Beyond the Mist
“Once you’ve met someone you never really forget them. It just takes a while for your memories to return.”
Fans of Studio Ghibli films will surely recognize this line from the 2001 film Spirited Away, which held the title of highest-grossing film in Japanese history for 19 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest animated films ever made. What they may not know is that the film was inspired by a classic Japanese children’s book, or that that book was translated into English for the first time earlier this year.
From Nov. 18 to Dec. 2, you can borrow the ebook or audiobook version of The Village Beyond the Mist by Sachiko Kashiwaba—the book that inspired Spirited Away—with no holds or waitlists as part of the rebranded Libby & Sora Reads book club on the Libby app or through participating schools on the Sora app.
If you’re a regular participant in either the Big Library Read or Together We Read book club program, this is the same club you know and love with a fresh name!
You can learn more about the author, download extras like a reading guide and coloring pages, and more at Libby & Sora Reads.
About the book
Lina's father had suggested she go "someplace different" for the summer, and she's beginning to wish she hadn't listened. She could be at her grandma's house in Nagano now, instead of trudging through a forest in search of a town that might not even exist. But when a gust of wind carries off her umbrella, it leads Lina down a secret path between the trees to a strange and incredible world. In the hidden village of Misty Valley, centaurs roam the cobblestone streets and gnomes visit shops stuffed with spellbooks and enchanted desserts. All magic has a dark side, though, and sometimes even sorcerers need a human's helping hand.
📚 Borrow the ebook and start reading instantly!
🎧 Borrow the audiobook and start listening instantly!
Looking for more titles to read as a family? Read these next:
The Borrowers
by Mary Norton
Another classic-turned-Ghibli film, The Borrowers tells the story of a tiny family who live underneath the kitchen floor of an old country manor house in a home filled with “borrowed” furniture—from champagne cork chairs to postage stamp paintings. When a young boy comes to stay in the manor house while recovering from an illness, he and the youngest borrower—Arrietty Clock—become fast friends. But not all the “human beans” in the house can be trusted, and soon the Clocks and their new friend find themselves in danger.
Temple Alley Summer
by Sachiko Kashiwaba
After Kazu sees a girl in a white kimono sneak out of his house in the middle of the night, he assumes he must be dreaming. But the next day, the same girl is at his school—and everyone else is convinced she’s been their friend for years! Soon Kazu and the girl, named Akari, are diving headlong into an otherworldly mystery that seems to be tied to his hometown’s history.
If you are a Studio Ghibli fan, this more recent release from Sachiko Kashiwaba is sure to delight.
The Library of Unruly Treasures
by Jeanne Birdsall
When Gwen is foisted off on her previously unknown great uncle for two weeks, she’s honestly not that upset. After all, her parents are impressively awful, Uncle Matthew’s dog is surprisingly opinionated, and the local library shares her surname. But things take a strange turn when Gwen discovers the children’s library is home to small winged creatures called Lahdukan—and they need her help finding a new place to live.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
by Kate DiCamillo
A true odyssey by powerhouse author Kate DiCamillo, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane tells the story of a porcelain rabbit who undergoes both a physical and emotional journey—traveling across an ocean and through many hands—to ultimately discover what it means to love and be loved.
I’m honestly not sure I can sum up this simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting story in a single paragraph. Suffice it to say, this is one I re-read often—and have selected for many a chapter book read-aloud—and it never disappoints.
Kwame Crashes the Underworld
by Craig Kofi Farmer
Kwame Powell isn’t ready to deal with losing his beloved grandmother, even as his family prepares to travel to Ghana for her celebration of life. But when he and his best friend Autumn are sucked through a magical whirlpool into Asamando, the Ghanaian underworld, and encounter a much younger version of his grandmother, there isn’t time for joyful reunions. As it turns out, an evil undercurrent is at work in Asamando, and it’s up to Kwame and his companions to save the mortal world before it’s too late.
A fast-paced supernatural adventure, I would recommend this title to readers looking for something a bit more action-packed.
*Title availability may vary.
The next selection is right around the corner! Be the first to know when the next book club pick is announced by subscribing to Libby Life (plus get lots of new book recs while you wait!).
Published Nov 17, 2025
Kate Frick
Kate Frick is a librarian for Sora, the student reading app. They love reading books to babies, going on long walks while listening to their favorite podcasts, and playing games of all shapes and sizes… and reading, of course!