“Once upon a time, not a long time ago, many people in Egypt were sad and sometimes angry because they were not free to speak or vote as they wished, or gather in groups. They knew about freedom, but only from books, or the Internet, or whispering inside these safe walls of our Alexandria Library.” A true story straight out of the Arab Spring describes the growing movement for democracy in Egypt early in 2011, and one particular event, on January 25, 2011. Some protests in Cairo had turned violent, and when a large crowd marched on the Alexandria Library, library director Ismail Serageldin spoke from the steps, saying only the will of the people could keep the library safe. And it did. One by one, individuals among the group of marchers broke from the crowd and joined Serageldin on the steps, eventually forming a human chain around the library. A moving story that makes a powerful statement for freedom, and for libraries as a place of free expression, is illustrated with beautiful collages and ends with a photo montage showing some of what happened that day. End matter provides more on the Alexandria Library—both ancient and modern—and on the January 25, 2011, Revolution. (Ages 7–12)

The inspiring true story of demonstrators standing up for the love of a library, from a New York Times bestselling illustrator

In January 2011, in a moment that captured the hearts of people all over the world, thousands of Egypt's students, library workers, and demonstrators surrounded the great Library of Alexandria and joined hands, forming a human chain to protect the building. They chanted "We love you, Egypt!" as they stood together for the freedom the library represented.

Illustrated with Susan L. Roth's stunning collages, this amazing true story demonstrates how the love of books and libraries can unite a country, even in the midst of turmoil.