Thread by @ElisaStoneLeahy

Storytime: For years there was a family of kids who would walk to my library. We knew things were rough at home and we tried to create a safe, validating, fun place for them (like so many others.) There were about 8 cousins, siblings, half-sibs, ages 5 to 16. Then lockdown hit.

I thought about them a lot while we were closed, worrying, hoping someone was taking care of them. After we re-opened, they didn’t come back. I heard they’d moved. Maybe out of state. Now and then we’d all speculate on how those kiddos were. And then! Today! Guess who walked in??

These two smiling teenagers walked up to me and said Remember us? And they started naming all their siblings. I nearly fell over! They’re living in a mix of foster and kinship care; the oldest is on her own and doing great. She has her own car now so they decided to come see us.

She showed me a picture of them all smiling at her HS graduation. The other teen asked about one of my coworkers. “He gave me the first book I ever actually read. I’d drop the littles at school then come sit here on the computer all day. He gave me Hatchet. It was really good.”

These kids raised their siblings and grew up too soon. They went through more then any kid should. But they also remember friendships they made at the library and first crushes and first books. They came back to see us, they smiled and spoke of therapy and hope. 😭❤️#LibraryLife

I love that a meaningful story like this is blowing up! 😊 I tweet a lot about books, my kids’ antics and other stuff I’m passionate about. My upcoming book is fiction but it’s based on a real, heartfelt story, if you like that sort of thing barnesandnoble.com/w/tethered-to-…

I love that a meaningful story like this is blowing up! 😊 I tweet a lot about books, my kids’ antics and other stuff I’m passionate about. My upcoming book is fiction but it’s based on a real, heartfelt story, if you like that sort of thing. barnesandnoble.com/w/tethered-to-…

Whoops, I meant to put this in the thread!

If you want to support the people making the books on library shelves, support the HarperCollins @hcpunion workers who have been on strike for 2 MONTHS for more equitable, just working conditions. Sign the letter: linktr.ee/hcpunion As an HC author, this means a lot to me!