All are invited to join us for an informal discussion of Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng, the 2026 One Book, One Philadelphia selection.

Set in a near-future America gripped by fear and anti-Asian sentiment, Ng’s acclaimed 2022 novel follows 12-year-old Bird Gardner as he searches for his missing mother, a Chinese American poet whose work has been censored as unpatriotic. Guided by her poetry and a network of librarians, Bird’s journey explores themes of censorship, racism, and the power of art and storytelling to challenge oppression.

The One Book, One Philadelphia program—founded in 2003 by the Free Library and the Office of the Mayor—brings thousands of readers together each year to build empathy and spark meaningful conversations across the city’s diverse communities.

Registration for this in-person event is encouraged but not required. Light refreshments will be served, and a limited number of books are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to request a copy of the book, please contact Brenda Galloway-Wright.