Twas the night before Christmas, and the library was quiet

When suddenly there rose a terrible riot

A boy did emerge at the elevator bank

Hollering, “Soon the children will have me to thank!”

This boy had three names, and one goal in mind

To grab all the books he could possibly find

But would he give them away to other girls and boys?

“No! Absolutely not!” he bellowed with a terrible noise

No, his plan was not to get kids to read every day

But to take all the books and toss them away

“That’s a true present!” he yelled, discarding all he could find

“No more of these books to waste all our time!”

But then he turned a corner and saw with a fright

A young girl reading by a dimly lit light

She was laughing and smiling and a glow lit her face

He suddenly had to get out of that place!

But before he could run, she noticed him there.

“Tell me your name, please,” she asked with a stare.

“I’d rather not say,” he said, “the answer is no.”

But as she looked at him he heard himself say, “Charlie Joe.”

Then before he knew it he was taking a seat.

“What are you reading?” he asked. “Is it neat?”

“Oh it’s wonderful, just like all books!” the little girl said.

“And just like you!” she added, making his face turn red.

“What’s your name?” he finally asked, with a smile.

“Why, it’s Katie Friedman,” she said, “and has been for a while.”