What if all of Malden read the same book?
Malden Reads seeks to answer that question.
Malden Reads is a community reading program in Malden, MA. Organized by community groups, city leaders, and residents, in collaboration with the Malden Public Library, the program invites the Malden community to read the same book and participate in a series of events related to the book’s themes. The goals of the program are to promote literacy, a love of reading, an appreciation of city resources, and most of all, to build community in the city of Malden.
Our 2026 Season 16 Book Is . . .
Learn more about our this year’s book selection: 2026 Our Missing Hearts
2026 Companion Books
Malden Reads is pleased to announce the selection of companion books for young readers that complement the themes of Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng, our 2026 main book selection. These books were chosen by a group of educators, librarians, and other community members offering their support and input.
Pre-K–Early Elementary
- That’s Not My Name by Anoosha Syed (recommended for ages 3–5)
- I Promise by LeBron James (recommended for ages 4–8)
- Just Help! How to Build a Better World by Sonia Sotomayor (recommended for ages 4–8)
- Something, Someday by Amanda Gorman (recommended for ages 4–8)
Elementary School
- Revolutionary War on Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne (recommended for ages 6–9)
- She Persisted: Claudette Colvin by Lesa Cline-Ransome (recommended for ages 6–9)
- Resist! Peaceful Acts that Changed Our World by Diane Stanley (recommended for ages 7–10)
Elementary School and Middle School
- We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices edited by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson (recommended for ages 8–12)
- What Was the Boston Tea Party by Kathleen Krull (recommended for ages 8–12)
- Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai (recommended for ages 9–12)
- The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill (recommended for ages 9–12)
- Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix (recommended for ages 10–13)
- Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson (recommended for ages 10–13)