By Molly Given

Mayor Cherelle Parker recently joined leaders from the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Free Library Foundation to unveil the 2026 selection for One Book, One Philadelphia.

‘Our Missing Hearts’ by Celeste Ng (the author of ‘Little Fires Everywhere’) will anchor the city’s 24th annual celebration of reading and civic dialogue. The announcement launches a four-month, citywide campaign inviting residents to explore the book together through conversations, workshops, readings, film screenings, and creative programs designed to spark connection and community engagement.

“We are all a part of this city, and sharing a book and its storytelling and themes creates a powerful connection,” Parker said in a statement. “It brings us together, linking us not only to the story, but to one another.”

The official synopsis of Ng’s novel reads: In a near-future America governed by “PACT” (the Preservation of American Culture and Traditions), fear has become a tool of the state, and “un-American” ideas are scrubbed from shelves. The story follows a twelve-year-old boy of Chinese descent, Bird Gardner, as he embarks on a quest to find his mother, a dissident poet whose work has been banned.

The book is out at a poignant time as a look at the First Amendment while the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.

This year’s free signature events at the Parkway Central Library begin with the One Book, One Philadelphia Kickoff Celebration on Tuesday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m., featuring an in-depth conversation with Celeste Ng, followed by a book signing.  On April 23, at 6:30 p.m., a screening of ‘The Librarians’ will allow audiences to take a look at the fight against book bans, with a community discussion to follow.

The series continues on May 8, at 6 p.m. with ‘Asian American Voices | Stories Between Us’, a Story Slam presented by South Asian Americans for Change. It all concludes on May 28, at 6:30 p.m. with the Finale Celebration, an art panel discussion exploring censorship and resistance in America, also followed by a book signing.

Additional workshops and programs will take place across the Free Library of Philadelphia’s 54 neighborhood branches. All events are free, and advance registration is available at freelibrary.org/onebook. Young readers can dive into the One Book, One Philadelphia conversation with companion titles tailored just for them.

All titles, including ‘Our Missing Hearts,’ are available to borrow at any Free Library of Philadelphia branch with a library card, and e-book and downloadable audiobook versions can be accessed online. The library also provides copies to schools, reading groups, and community organizations.

To learn more information, visit freelibrary.org