Everything in Its Place: A Story of Books and Belonging

by Pauline David-Sax, Charnelle Pinkney Barlow (Illustrator)

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 A Feminist Book Project Reading List selection

An Association for Library Service to Children Notable Book

Maine Chickadee Award nominee, 2023-24

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Books About Books, Childrens, Poetry, Fiction, School

40 pages, Library Binding

First published July 1, 2022

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: The bell rings and I push open the library door.
The book-return bin is full.
Got your work cut out for you, Nicky, Ms. Gillam says.
I gather the books in my arms
and give them a hug.
Welcome home, I whisper.
I head down the rows of numbered shelves
to put them back where they belong.

Everything In Its Place is a picture book celebrating books and reading--obviously. But it also celebrates those subtle-brave moments where decisions are made. A shy, book-loving introvert is "forced" out of her comfort zone--the school library--when the librarian goes to a librarian conference for an entire week. That week she'll be "forced" to brave recess with her classmates. It isn't comfortable. But does it have to be as terrifying as it feels? Probably not. But sometimes how something feels to you is so very very very different from how something feels to others. Nicky--book of poems in hand--braves recess and in the process a tentative new friendship begins. (The potential friend likes poetry too.)

I am not 100% sure this one is supposed to be a poetry (a picture book that is a poem). But it feels like a poem so often. (Not always).

I do love, love, love, love the end papers. The illustrations point to this being historical. How libraries and school libraries were in the past. (I can testify to that.)

I did feel safest in my school library. It was a place I loved, loved, loved.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, school libraries- saving us awkward kids for generations. This book was very sweet, and the illustrations were great. I was worried it would be one of those 'ra, ra, go libraries' books, but it was not- it was more about the girl overcoming her anxieties and finding support from other strong females. And from the poetry of Mary Oliver, which was another sign in its favor.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful message! The illustrations are a mixture of drawings, pages from books, and/or fabrics and let me tell you, they are breathtaking! Any young book-lover will enjoy this read.

[Nathan Bartos · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable story about libraries, books, and finding your people. Really unique and beautiful art.

[Sirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicky loves her job as an assistant librarian, but then one day, the librarian announces she'll be away for a week so Nicky will have to spend recess outside. This is not where Nicky belongs. Through some inspiration from a local motorcycle gang, Nicky finds the courage to face an uncategorized playground and find a new way to fit.

A gentle topic with remarkable collage- and crayon-style artwork. I really just loved looking at the pictures.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. This book is all about breaking out of your shell and meeting new people. This book also does an excellent job of sharing library information on the down low, sneaking in Dewey call numbers in reference to different sections the little girl is shelving in. I really enjoyed it! The illustrations are also very cool!

[Emily Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for the illustrations, love them.
The story is totally realistic, a student that loves and lives for recess in the library. Maybe I’m getting a little too hardened for the world to believe it would be as easy as the ending is, but I’m an adult and don’t need to exist in the recess world anymore.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never get over the power of a picture book to make me cry and feel alllll the emotions. This is one of those picture books.

[Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crying at work

[Lauren Canaday Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful ❤️

[Sarah]

Beautiful Illustrations

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book! Delightful illustrations and sensitive, relatable text about the power of books to bring people together and taking the first step out of our comfort zones to expand our worlds.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me so happy! A Young introverted girl (perhaps neurodivergent?) Who loves books finds inspiration and courage from a lady biker gang. Lots of different kinds of representation in this book!

[Jude Morrissey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know how I feel about this story. On one hand, it shows how the library and books can be a refuge. On the other hand, it reinforces the stereotype of the bookworm as the shy, awkward kid who doesn't know how to find her (and the stereotype is almost exclusively "her") own community, so she hides in the library and avoids social interaction. If the story has gone the logical next few pages, with a library group forming, I would like it better, I think. Instead, we're left with the idea of the protagonist finding friends outside and leaving the library behind as no longer quite necessary.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

One would think the storyline of awkward child (teen/person) goes beyond their comfort zone to make a friend would at some point get tired. But it has not yet.

Nicky does not like playing with the other kids at recess and finds a welcome refuge in the school library. At first, the reader (me, anyway) might think that the other kids are being nasty, but that does not seem to be the case. Nicky is just shy. Or introverted. Or hesitant for some unnamed reason. She takes great pleasure in keeping the library organized and the chaos of the playground seems overwhelming for her.

But not all situations are so hard. At her mother's cafe, Nicky observes customers and occasionally strikes up a conversation. One such customer and conversation was with Maggie, a biker who brings her friends to the cafe. Nicky can see both the pleasure of quiet routine and the joy of a community. Finally forced to leave the library for recess, she remains quiet and isolated, but welcomes the overtures of a new friend. I liked that they used her poetry book to bond, and hope that Nicky can find comfort in both solitude and in new company going forward.

The illustrations are a fun mixed style.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Who needs recess when you can reshelve books?" the narrator, a school library helper, poses as she shelves books for Ms. Gilliam. When the school librarian, Ms. Gilliam announces that she will be gone for a week to a library conference, the narrator is nervous having to spend recess outside. After school the young girl visits with the customers in her Mama's restaurant, Cathy's Cafe. Her favorite customer Maggie shares her love of motorcycles and the next day brings her motorcycle sisters in for pie. Maggies words of advice encourages her, "everything in life is a risk." And she carries her book of poetry by Mary Oliver outside for recess and finally finds a friend at school who loves poetry as well.
Interspersed with Dewey numbers when topics arise (fossils 560s), and lovely illustrations dominated in blue, enhance the story.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Everything has its place in the library. The books. Ms. Gillam. Me."

I'm trying real hard not to cry at the circulation desk right about now. This book is so sweet, so creative, so perfect in every which way, from the motorcyclist customer to the collage illustrations to the Mary Oliver reference to learning to take risks. Using crayons, multi-media, and pieces of paper from dictionaries, publication information, and the Dewey Decimal System, Pinkney Barlow's illustrations illuminate how multi-faceted Nicky is, how she herself is interested in so much, how she is so shy but is willing to be brave with just the gentlest of nudges. A beautiful book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a school librarian, there were many kids over the years who would have benefited by hanging out in the library during recess for a safe haven from the playground. They preferred books to people….sanctuary from the chaos….a retreat from rejection. But I wasn’t allowed to have kids in the library during recess, so out they went. I think this book would be a great read aloud at the beginning of the school year to encourage the more shy kids that you just might find that special friend on the playground…and find a place to belong. I think it also encourages kids who are readers to know there could be a community of readers at school. Think about starting a book club at recess.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

The little girl is me!

Nicky, the main character, loves books, libraries, and the quietness of it all. This is her place, even if it isn't happy in the traditional sense, it is peaceful, deliberate, organized, and predictable.

I so appreciate this book! And in thinking about it for a storytime book, I appreciate the space dedicated to the illustration and the large but not too large font. This is definitely going into my collections of "books for quiet kiddos" as a celebration of that quietness.

Highly recommend. I am personally adding this to my Christmas list as well :)

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicky loves her school library so much that she spends her recess helping the librarian re-shelve books. But when the librarian has to be gone for a week at a conference, Nicky must actually go to recess, which she is dreading.

This is a sweet story about taking risks, getting out of our comfort zones, and also still embracing a love a books as one navigates outside that comfort zone.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book features unique, collage-style artwork and a hopeful story of a girl who loves books, volunteers in her school library, and then steps out of her comfort zone and makes a new friend. I loved the Dewey Decimal references when the main character talked about different topics, and this will be relatable for introverts and bookworms.

[Annese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel seen. Beautiful.

[Eli Poteet · Rating 5 out of 5]

i didnt expect this one to unfold as it did, i am a fan, more unique than many others

[Unica Godina Le · Rating 3 out of 5]

🆂🆈🅿🅽🅾🆂🅸🆂:
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.

🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂:
I resonate with Nicky about how my safe place is also at the library/bookstore. I really like the message at the end of the book -- I like to interpret it in a way that I would continue pursuing my own interests/activities, and that people can connect with me through those activities. I remember the feeling when I feel empowered and confident and connected with folks by playing music during recess/lunchtime. This book reminded me of that feeling -- the feeling that I feel belonged where I feel most at home.

🆂🆈🅿🅽🅾🆂🅸🆂 🅲🅾🅽🆃🅸🅽🆄🅴🅳:
"Everything has its place in the library. The books. Ms. Gillam. Me." Nikki loves shelving books in the school library during recess. It is HER place--quiet and orderly. When the library closes for a week so that Ms. Gillam can go to a conference, Nikki is full of anxiety because she will have to go outside where the kids are boisterous and unpredictable. Nikki goes to her mother's cafe--andother safe place--and interacts with some customers, including Maggie, a scruffy looking motorcyclist who gives Nikki a book of poetry by Mary Oliver. Nikki asked Maggie if riding the cycle is scary, and Maggie said, "Everything in life is a risk." Nikki sees that when Maggie rides she looks happy, alive, and free. When Nikki gathers her courage and goes to the playground, she takes out her poetry book rather than breaking into a group of playing kids. Soon a girl comes over and declares that she loves poetry, so they sit and read together. Nikki sees that she can be accepted for herself, and there is a place for her on the playground, too.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicky is a shy young girl. When it’s time for recess she heads to the school library. There, the nice Ms. Gillam gives her books to put back on the shelves. Nicky loves to volunteer at the library and shelve books. It’s so nice and quiet and orderly. Everything is in its place, and the places are numbered. Ordered by the Dewey Decimal System.

Astronomy—520s.
The Ancient World—930s.
Everything has its place in the library.
The books.
Ms. Gillam.
Me.

But one day when it’s time to leave, Ms. Gillam tells Nicky that the library will be closed next week because Ms. Gillam is going to be away attending a library conference. Nicky’s stomach beings to hurt, she begins to tear up and thinks, “A whole week of recess.” Nicky dreads recess. It’s so noisy and disorderly and noisy! She’ll feel alone and friendless.

After school, Nicky goes to the diner where her mother works. The diner feels familiar because she recognizes many of the regular customers.

My favorite is Maggie:
short hair,
scruffy clothes
(just like me),
fork in one hand,
book in the other,
as she eats Mama’s pie.

Maggie lends the book she has finished reading to Nicky before they go outside, and Maggie gets on her motorcycle. Before she gets on the bike, Nicky asks her if riding the motorcycle is scary. Maggie says, “Everything in life is a risk,” before she zooms off. Nicky thinks Maggie looks happy, alive and free.

The first day Maggie goes outside to recess instead of to the library she takes the book of poems by Mary Oliver Maggie lent to her. Nicky reads one titled “Wild Geese” just like the patches on the jacket Maggie and the members of her club wear on their jackets. Nicky is feeling lost when a girl playing hopscotch comes over and boldly states, “I love poetry.”

Nicky remembers what Maggie told her about taking risks and replies, “Me too.”

They lean back against the school wall together and read. It looks like Nicky has found the first member of her own club.

[Erik M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this title through the Notable Children's Books Committee of the ALA. It is a notable book for 2024, and was awarded an Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor and is Kirkus Best Book of the Year. I borrowed it from the Warren Newport Library.

To begin, I love the idea of the numbers and the categories of library books that is emphasized here. It brings me back to card catalogues and being introduced to shelves and feeling like the library was such a great place to be. There was something in knowing where to find what I was looking for, and knowing it would be there. That's what this book is about, but on two separate levels.

The thing about books is that they require time to disconnect. And Nicky likes to do that. She likes to be with the books, and hug them, and read them and exist in their worlds. The thing is, that she doesn't know what to do when Mrs. Gillam is gone for a day. And that's a problem.

After encountering an all female biker group, Nicky realizes that happiness comes from finding people who share your passions. In the end, she does, with a classmate who shares a love of poetry. The plot comes full circle here.

I think this book is a great reminder not to live for the books themselves, but for the things they hold which we value. It's a great reminder like old myths teach us, that if it's not connected to reality, it's not really worth much. This book does a good job of connecting Nicky to something more personal and meaningful in the books she reads, and in the experiences she has. Both of them have to bridge to one another.

In terms of rating, I give it 4 stars because, as a story, I really love it, but the art is simply not me. I don't think it has as integral a purpose to the story as other picture books I've read lately. I really think that this format needs the art to serve a bigger purpose.

Other than that, I really like, and would highly recommend this book.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A select group of readers will surely see themselves in this picture book--3.5 for me--and in Nicky, its protagonist. She's an introverted, introspective girl who prefers spending recess in the library with Ms. Gillam and the many books the library boasts to playing outside with her classmates. It would seem they have nothing in common with her, and she cherishes the time she spends shelving books. But Nicky is forced out of her comfort zone when Ms. Gillam is gone to a conference. Still, she draws strength and inspiration from the example of a women's motorcycle club who patronize her mother's diner and enable her to see that individuals who are different and unique can get along while not sacrificing their individuality. One of the women, Maggie, had given Nicky a book of poetry, which Nicky takes outside to read during recess. Caught up in the poetry, she decides to take a risk by responding to the friendliness of a girl who expresses her own love for poems. While Nicky doesn't suddenly become popular or comfortable outside with the others or even try to change herself too drastically, readers can tell that there might be a new relationship blooming between the two girls. And all because Nicky took a risk. This empowering and comforting story is supporting by unique artwork consisting of inks, soft colors, and collages, including library cards, call numbers, bookshelves, and book carts. Older readers just might be reminded of how librarians have provided a refuge for them now and in the past, and those who doubt the importance of libraries may come to realize how much of a safe space they are for some individuals.

[Jane Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Everything has its place in the library. The books. Ms. Gillam. Me." Nikki loves shelving books in the school library during recess. It is HER place--quiet and orderly. When the library closes for a week so that Ms. Gillam can go to a conference, Nikki is full of anxiety because she will have to go outside where the kids are boisterous and unpredictable. Nikki goes to her mother's cafe--andother safe place--and interacts with some customers, including Maggie, a scruffy looking motorcyclist who gives Nikki a book of poetry by Mary Oliver. Nikki asked Maggie if riding the cycle is scary, and Maggie said, "Everything in life is a risk." Nikki sees that when Maggie rides she looks happy, alive, and free. When Nikki gathers her courage and goes to the playground, she takes out her poetry book rather than breaking into a group of playing kids. Soon a girl comes over and declares that she loves poetry, so they sit and read together. Nikki sees that she can be accepted for herself, and there is a place for her on the playground, too.

The book includes a diverse cast of characters, including Maggie's motorcycle sisters and the kids on the playground.

The mixed media artwork is incredible, from the opening end papers to the back end papers. Illustrator Barlow works old library catalog cards, date due cards, and bits of Dewey Decimal call numbers into the pictures of wild geese flying (the Oliver poem mentioned) and throughout, giving layers of meaning to the story.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nikky is so shy that recess is overwhelming to her and she chooses to shelve books in the library where she feels safest. One day she learns that her librarian will be away at a conference and she worries about having to go outside to recess with the other students. At a diner where her mom works she meets a regular customer who is a woman that loves her motorcycle. That woman tells Nikky that sometimes scary things can turn into not scary things and introduces her to a poet in a book she likes. Nikky uses that thinking when she goes outside for recess and is surprised to find out she is not the only child that prefers to read for fun.

The illustrations by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow drew me into this story right away! Librarians will love the references to card catalogs throughout this story. The text by Pauline David-Sax is well written and allows the reader to feel for Nikky and her angst about social situations. Thank you, Ladies, for this engaging story about being brave enough to be yourself and that you are likely not alone and that we can all find friends with similar interests.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut children's book by David-Sax is a beautiful celebration of the importance of reading and libraries for some children. Main character Nicky prefers helping Mrs. Gillam her school librarian than going out for recess where groups form but she feels that she doesn't belong. When Mrs. Gillan is gone for a week at convention, Nicky is forced to join her classmates on the playground. She draws inspiration from a group of female motorcycle riders who drop by her mother's cafe one day. They remind her that sometimes taking a risk will help you to find the group that you need. That works for Nicky who finds a friend just as interested in the book of poetry she is reading on the playground as she is. (The book is by Mary Oliver and celebrates the poem "Wild Geese.") The illustrator Charnelle Pinkney Barlow uses a unique combination of drawings and paper cut outs (often from book related materials) to support the narrative story. It's such a great first effort. I look forward to seeing what David-Sax creates next.