The 2026 One Book, One Philadelphia selection might strike people as an eerily prescient dystopian novel about banned literature, silenced speech, and forced family separation, but it is also a story about a 12-year-old boy of Chinese descent’s search for his poet mother whose work has been banned.
“‘Our Missing Hearts’ is really a love letter to reading, to libraries, to stories and also to America,” bestselling author Celeste Ng told Billy Penn. “I think it touches on questions of what do libraries do to build community, what do our stories do to help us understand our history and who we are and how do we move forward.”
Ng’s novel was announced today as this year’s One Book, One Philly featured work by the Free Library of Philadelphia and Free Library Foundation, which are kicking off a four-month book-club-style campaign to encourage as many people as possible to read together and attend free events for conversation, workshops, readings, art-making, film screenings and more.
Younger readers are also included – in addition to “Our Missing Hearts,” featured One Philly companion stories for younger readers include “Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet” by Latina novelist Laekan Zea Kemp for teen readers and “How to Grow a Family Tree” by children’s book author and former teacher Bea BIrdsong.
Library leaders and city officials describe the message of this novel as being a perfect fit for the larger One Book, One Philly mission.
“Each year, [this program] brings tens of thousands of readers together around a single, powerful story,” said Foundation President Monique Moore Pryor. “With ‘Our Missing Hearts,’ Celeste Ng invites us to think deeply about ideas, art and the world we’re living in. This book gives our city a meaningful opportunity to read, reflect and connect.”
For her part, Ng, a Pittsburgh native who also grew up in Ohio, told Billy Penn that when she wrote this book years ago (it published in 2022), she had “hoped that our world would get farther away from the world of the book and instead, I think the opposite has happened.”
“So that’s been really scary. I’m not a prophet, I just look at history and I can see the patterns that happen,” she said. “I hope that people read this book, read other books, learn about history and try to find ways forward where we learn from the past.”
Being part of Philadelphia’s largest book club “is really meaningful to me,” she added, noting that it brings up questions, “particularly in this time – the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence – what does it mean to be American? What kind of country have we been and what kind of country do we want to be?”
“I hope that people read this book and come away feeling like they are part of a community. To know that whatever it is they are struggling with, that they are not alone, that there are other people and we can all help each other and that we are stronger and the way forward is together,” she said.
That message resonates with Carol Richardson McCullough, a founding member of Drexel’s Writers Room, who came to meet Ng and told her that she planned to introduce the book to her students, comprised of college students and members of the surrounding community.
“The book is described as a sort of dystopian novel, and as I’m reading it, there’s certain things and events happening in it that almost reflect things that I remember seeing more recently today,” she said. “So it’ll offer lots of time for reflection on what’s happening in our society today as things are changing. . . It touches my heart. Librarians are leading the resistance, you know? They’re saving the world. And that’s a reflection of what I see in the library system in Philadelphia and in libraries all across the country and probably across the world.”
How to read the books
Visit any Free Library branch or download the book using your library card via the Libby app. Or attend one of the related events, which include books available for purchase and signing.
Related One Book, One Philly events:
There will be events spread across all 54 Free Library branches, but here are some highlights:
One Book, One Philadelphia Kickoff Celebration
Where: Tuesday, April 7, 6:30 p.m. | Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St
What: To officially start the new season of One Book, One Philadelphia, join an in-depth conversation with featured author Celeste Ng. Books will be available for purchase at the library on the night of the event. A book signing will follow.
Film Screening and Discussion: The Librarians
When: Thursday, April 23, 6:30 p.m. | Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.
What: This timely film provides an intimate look at the courageous librarians across the country who are standing on the front lines of a rising movement of book bans and information censorship. Following the film, there will be an open community discussion to dive deeper into these themes and reflect on the vital role our own libraries play in preserving democratic values.
Asian American Voices | Stories Between Us: Creativity, Identity, and Belonging
When: Friday, May 8, 6:00 p.m. | Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.
What: Story Slam is presented by South Asian Americans for Change (SAAFC), a Philadelphia-based nonprofit dedicated to breaking mental health stigma through arts, storytelling, education, and community-centered experiences.
One Book, One Philadelphia Finale Celebration: Art Panel Discussion: Censorship and Resistance in America
When: Thursday, May 28, 6:30 p.m. | Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.
What: Explore historical and contemporary examples of censorship in the U.S., including book bans and cultural erasure. Participants will reflect on how communities resist through storytelling, protest, and art. Books will be available for purchase at the library on the night of the event.. A book signing will follow the presentation.
