This NAACP Image Award winner is the companion to the #1  New York Times  bestseller  Stacey's Extraordinary Words , from Stacey Abrams and artist Kitt Thomas. Stacey’s favorite day of the week is Thursday, when the whole class goes to the library and she gets to lose herself in her beloved books. On one of these special days, Stacey discovers that a new student named Julie has trouble reading in English, so they begin sharing books and stories to practice. Soon more students start to join them. Books take the group on magical adventures and reveal other worlds and cultures—but best of all, they bring them together as friends. This is another inspiring tale, based on a true story from Stacey Abrams’s childhood, about the life-changing power of books. PreS-Gr 2—It's a long road from being an awkward child to one of the most famous female Black political leaders in the U.S., but Abrams has not forgotten who she was as a child. Nor has she forgotten how books were her refuge. In this companion to Stacey's Remarkable Words, Abrams and Thomas again team up to show us how words change lives. This time, Abrams uses her childhood friendship with Julie, a Vietnamese girl, to ground her story. The star of the story, Stacey, reads alone during recess and looks forward to the day she visits the library. When Julie sits down with Stacey under an apple tree, she tells Stacey that reading in English is hard for her. Stacey volunteers to read every Thursday with Julie, and the girls quickly discover that they have a shared dream. A diverse group of other students, from Gambia, Indonesia, and South Korea, soon join them, bringing with them their "own words and different histories" and bridging the social divide at school. Eventually Julie even helps Stacey overcome her fear of joining in recess games. The illustrations are joyous and vibrant, showing round-faced, big-eyed children and a beaming librarian who make their school a place where everyone belongs. At the end, Abrams has included her list of "remarkable" stories, thoughtful picture books that will help readers better understand those from different cultures. VERDICT A book that celebrates the power of stories and libraries to forge a more inclusive society.—Sally A. James "A worthy message delivered with a generous dose of inclusivity." — Kirkus Reviews "This is a lovely ode to books, libraries, and friendships; one every book-lover will adore, no matter their age." — Book Riot "A beautiful addition to your child’s book collection." — The Root "In this powerful endorsement for reading, back matter includes a list of books exploring multicultural themes to help kids grow and identify their own dreams. Digital illustrations are vibrant and joyful, showing children actively engaged in making friends and learning. Another positive message about the joy of words." — Booklist Online "A book that celebrates the power of stories and libraries to forge a more inclusive society." — School Library Journal Praise for STACEY'S EXTRAORDINARY WORDS: “Abrams shares her love of words in this picture book drawn from a childhood memory. Readers will see the beginnings of a lifelong fascination with words, as well as the passion for fighting for others. A great addition for collections looking for stories about current political figures, as well as story time with a biography emphasis.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “Charming and powerful.” — Booklist “With warmth and candor, politician and voting rights activist Abrams tells a fictionalized story of her first spelling bee, emphasizing the value of education, of focusing on effort over result, and of standing up to bullying. In competition, Abrams reminds readers, victory can take years to arrive—and integrity and courtesy are always more important.” — Publishers Weekly “This engaging, edifying, delightfully nerdy childhood retrospective from one of today’s inspirational leaders speaks volumes.” — Kirkus Reviews Stacey Abrams is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of While Justice Sleeps , Our Time Is Now , Lead from the Outside , and the NAACP Image Award winners Stacey’s Extraordinary Words and Stacey’s Remarkable Books . She is also the CEO of Sage Works Productions, an entertainment production company. A tax attorney by training, she served eleven years in the Georgia House of Representatives, seven as minority leader. She has launched multiple organizations devoted to voting rights and tackling social issues at the state, national, and international levels. Committed to the pursuit of equity, Stacey works to break barriers for young people, people of color, and the marginalized through her work in the public, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. She holds degrees from Spelman College, the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, and Yale Law School. Kitt Thomas  is a first-generation Lucian American author-illustrator and graduate of the Ringling College of Art and Design with