<b>An inspiring and poetic story about reading libraries and overcoming shyness to find community.</b><br><br><i>I gather the books in my arms and give them a hug. 'Welcome back' I whisper.</i><br> <br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br><b>? Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor</b><br><br><b>A <i>Kirkus</i> Best Book of the Year<br></b><br><b>An Atlanta Parent Best Book of the Year<br></b><br><b>A RISE: A Feminist Book Project Reading List selection<br></b><br><b>An Association for Library Service to Children Notable Book<br></b><br><b>Maine Chickadee Award nominee 2023-24</b>