October 27, 2016
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
The Free Library of Philadelphia President and Director Siobhan Reardon, left and Marie Field, Chair of One Book, One Philadelphia, unveil this year's choice of reading material, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, at the Free Library.
One Book, One Philadelphia celebrates its 15th anniversary this season. The book selection, announced on Thursday at the Free Library of Philadelphia's Parkway Central branch, will be "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon.
Mayor Jim Kenney, along with Free Library of Philadelphia President and Director Siobhan Reardon and One Book, One Philadelphia Chair Marie Field, unveiled a large poster of the book cover to Masterman School students, Science Leadership Academy students and press.
Dozens of students attended Thursday's event at the Free Library of Philadelphia.
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
With the selection announced, Philadelphians are now encouraged to start reading the detective novel by the British author to prepare for the One Book, One Philadelphia programs starting Jan. 25. Each branch of the Free Library will be stocked with hard copies and ebooks of the book selection, along with youth companion books.
Beginning in January, the city will be transformed into a giant book club for a few months. "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" readers are invited to participate in discussions, workshops and creative performances across the city.
Founded in 2003 by the Free Library and the mayor's office, One Book, One Philadelphia promotes reading, literacy, library use and community building by motivating Philadelphians to read the featured selection.
"A true cultural touchstone of our city," Kenney said about One Book, One Philadelphia at the selection reveal.
Coincidentally, the narrator of the 15th anniversary featured book is a 15-year-old. The novel is told through first-person perspective by Christopher John Francis Boone.
"Philadelphia readers will view the world through the eyes of the novel's brilliant, uniquely challenged narrator," Field stated.
Nicole Wang, a ninth-grade student at the Masterman School, along with dozens of other students received the book, 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' which was chosen this year's selection of 'One Book, One Philadelphia.'
"I don't really relate to the character, but it lets me see a different perspective on the world. I'm not confined to my own little world," Eleanor Shamble, student speaker at the reveal, said about the book. She read it twice.
Haddon's novel has been praised for enhancing an awareness of individual differences, empathy and understanding of autism.
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" was first published in 2003.
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 through Thursday, March 23, 2017
