An inspiring and poetic story about reading, libraries, and overcoming shyness to find community.
I gather the books in my arms, and give them a hug. "Welcome back," I whisper.
Nicky is a shy girl who feels most at home in the safe space of her school library, but the library closes for a week and Nicky is forced to face her social anxiety. When she meets a group of unique, diverse, inspiring women at her mother's diner—members of a women's motorcycle club—Nicky realizes that being different doesn’t have to mean being alone, and that there’s a place for everyone.
Book lovers of all ages will find inspiration in this beautiful love letter to reading—and how words help us find empathy and connections with the world around us.
★ Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
An Atlanta Parent Best Book of the Year
A RISE: A Feminist Book Project Reading List selection
An Association for Library Service to Children Notable Book
Maine Chickadee Award nominee, 2023-24
HONOR
| 2023 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award
★ "For all those who are never found without a book at recess."—Kirkus, starred review
★ "Using emotionally astute prose and collage art that resembles a personal scrapbook with crayon-textured sketches, debut author David-Sax and Pinkney Barlow (The Real Santa) honor their protagonist’s rich interiority, never minimizing Nicky’s pain or yearning, nor her preference for books and (some) solitude."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
A Book Riot Must-Read July Children's Book Release—"A super sweet and lyrical picture book perfect for shy, bookworm kids."
"It can be tough for kids to find their "people"; David-Sax and Barlow offer one possible pathway to forging a satisfying friendship."—Booklist
An inspiring and poetic story about reading, libraries, and overcoming shyness to find community.
I gather the books in my arms, and give them a hug. "Welcome back," I whisper.
Nicky is a shy girl who feels most at home in the safe space of her school library, but the library closes for a week and Nicky is forced to face her social anxiety. When she meets a group of unique, diverse, inspiring women at her mother's diner—members of a women's motorcycle club—Nicky realizes that being different doesn’t have to mean being alone, and that there’s a place for everyone.
Book lovers of all ages will find inspiration in this beautiful love letter to reading—and how words help us find empathy and connections with the world around us.
★ Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
An Atlanta Parent Best Book of the Year
A RISE: A Feminist Book Project Reading List selection
An Association for Library Service to Children Notable Book
Maine Chickadee Award nominee, 2023-24
Awards
HONOR
| 2023 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award
Praise
★ "For all those who are never found without a book at recess."—Kirkus, starred review
★ "Using emotionally astute prose and collage art that resembles a personal scrapbook with crayon-textured sketches, debut author David-Sax and Pinkney Barlow (The Real Santa) honor their protagonist’s rich interiority, never minimizing Nicky’s pain or yearning, nor her preference for books and (some) solitude."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
A Book Riot Must-Read July Children's Book Release—"A super sweet and lyrical picture book perfect for shy, bookworm kids."
"It can be tough for kids to find their "people"; David-Sax and Barlow offer one possible pathway to forging a satisfying friendship."—Booklist
