The Personal Librarian

1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Prior to reading the novel, had you encountered other books or movies telling the story of high-achieving Black women from history? Why do you think it is important that these stories be shared? Do you think historical fiction is a good vehicle for sharing the stories of remarkable individuals?
• The Personal Librarian is based on the life of a historical figure, Belle da Costa Greene. Do you like reading historical fiction that draws on the life of a real person? What are the pros and cons of reading historical fiction rather than biography?
• Have you encountered other fictional or historical stories of a Black person “passing” as white? What factors might motivate an individual to disguise their racial identity?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Belle’s father was the first Black student to graduate from Harvard. Do you think having a high-achieving parent creates challenges for a child? How do you think parents can prevent their children from feeling pressure to overachieve?
• Belle decides to sacrifice authenticity and honesty to achieve career goals that would likely never have been available to her as an openly Black woman.