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 HonorA Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the CenturyAn Atlanta Parent Best Book of the YearA RISE: A Feminist Book Project Reading List selectionAn Association for Library Service to Children Notable BookMaine Chickadee Award nominee, 2023-24

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 HonorA Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the CenturyAn Atlanta Parent Best Book of the YearA RISE: A Feminist Book Project Reading List selectionAn Association for Library Service to Children Notable BookMaine Chickadee Award nominee, 2023-24