Safe Spaces and Do-overs

(This was originally a guest author blog post for Harper Stacks in 2024)

(presenting in a St. Louis school library during the ALWAYS ANTHONY book tour)

Like many authors, whenever my schedule allows it, I do my fair share of school visits. Here’s how it usually goes: I arrive at the school, I’m met by a teacher, reading specialist, or librarian, and I’m usually led to the room where I’ll give my presentation (sometimes stopping at a classroom or office along the way to stash my coat and purse). The presentation room is almost always one of three places:

Gymnasium

Library

Auditorium

Bet you’re wondering which is my favorite. If you guessed the library…bingo. There’s always something so comforting and calming about entering a school library, even if it’s full and buzzing with activity. I know many authors who feel the same way; it’s no surprise since the school library is where many of them sought refuge as kids. I love presenting in libraries mainly because they’re more intimate and it feels like I’m connecting with kids on a personal level (plus auditoriums and gyms can still be very intimidating for us introverts!).

But here’s the thing: growing up, I never frequented school libraries. I barely knew where they were. I wasn’t a huge reader (except for comics). Instead, I sought refuge in the art room. I loved drawing and doodling, so that was my happy place. Libraries weren’t even on my radar. The fact that we had to use the Dewey Decimal System to find books didn’t help (yes, kids, I am a dinosaur).

So where does my newfound connection to libraries come from?

Well, as you’ve probably guessed, part of it is simply from being a children’s book author. I’m pretty much stuck at age twelve at heart, so when writing books, it feels like I’m living a do-over in this little universe I’ve created. I’ll relive my adolescent mistakes through my characters and have them course correct, thereby (hopefully) helping readers through similar situations (and providing myself some catharsis).

School libraries give me a similar do-over feeling. Although I avoided them as a little kid, I embrace them as an adult kid. Getting to browse the shelves, see well-worn titles, and listen to kids’ chatter gives me peace and hope, especially amid book bans and a national decline in reading. As a voracious reader now, my eyes always dart around to see what the librarian is showcasing, where my author friends’ books are, and what’s new that I haven’t seen before.

School libraries are also where I have the greatest time with kids. I present to them, ask them questions, read to them, draw with them, answer their questions, and hear their applause, laughter, and appreciation. And as a parent, well, I have an adult-POV respect for this sacred space because that’s where my older daughter – the voracious child reader – practically lived. And as I’ve since learned, librarians simply rule.

So maybe I wasn’t a library brat growing up. That’s the nice thing about do-overs and libraries…

…you’re always welcome back.