Celebrating the selection of True Biz by Sara Novic for the 2024 One Book, One Philadelphia program.

WHEREAS, Since its founding in 1891, the Free Library of Philadelphia has worked to build an enlightened community devoted to lifelong learning; and

WHEREAS, Now, on its 22nd annual season, the Free Library of Philadelphia’s One Book, One Philadelphia is a signature project of the Free Library of Philadelphia. It promotes literacy, library usage, and civic dialogue by encouraging the entire greater Philadelphia area to come together through the sharing of ideas and the joy of reading; and

WHEREAS,

True Biz

is a story of communication across radically different experiences. It involves three characters at the River Valley School for the Deaf. Charlie is a new transfer student. Austin is the school’s golden boy. February is the school's Headmistress and a child of deaf adults. Together, they try to find their footing during a new school year, navigating major life changes and an impending threat to their school that may change them forever; and

WHEREAS,

Sara Nović is a writer, activist, and translator based in Philadelphia. Her New York Times bestselling book

Girl at War

won the American Library Association’s Alex Award and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University, where she studied fiction and literary translation; and

WHEREAS, The official One Book, One Philadelphia public reading period lasts from April to June 2024. Programming begins on Monday, April 8 with a Kickoff Celebration with Sara

Nović

a

nd Melissa Draganac-Hawk, Principal of Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

The event will be held at the Parkway Central Library. An American Sign Language interpreter will also attend the kick-off event; and

WHEREAS, The seven-week programming season features dozens of free-to-the-public events, discussions, and creative workshops centering on

Sara Nović

’s novel,

True Biz

, and the youth companion titles

You’re Welcome, Universe,

written and illustrated

by Whitney Gardner,

and

Can Bears Ski?

, written by Raymond Antrobus and illustrated by Polly Dunbar; and

WHEREAS, Along with presenting two youth companion titles to enrich discussions with younger readers across the city, One Book, One Philadelphia offers curricula, discussion guides, and a list of recommended reading for all ages that celebrates literature and connects with the themes in the featured book; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby celebrate the selection of

Sara Nović

’s

True Biz

for the 2024 One Book, One Philadelphia program.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed Copy of this Resolution be presented to

Sara Nović

evidencing the sincere respect of this legislative body.

End