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One Book, One San Diego 20th Chapter

For 20 years, the One Book, One San Diego program has encouraged everyone in the San Diego and the Northern Baja region to read and discuss the same book in an effort to bring our community closer together through the shared experience. The first One Book title for adults was selected in 2007, while One Book for Kids began in 2012, One Book for Teens in 2013 and One Book, Sin Fronteras (Spanish language readers) in 2015.

The One Book, One San Diego 20th Chapter will reflect on two decades of building community connections. Through the years we have tackled challenging themes together, cried together, laughed together and, most importantly, expanded our worlds together. Powerful storytelling does that. It takes us on a journey. This milestone honors the people, stories, and shared love of reading that have shaped One Book, while turning the page toward the program’s exciting future.

Join us as we celebrate the next chapter for One Book, One San Diego — reaching even more people with more books, new partnerships and fresh opportunities for individuals of all ages to come together around their shared love of books, learning, and literacy. The new titles for the One Book, One San Diego 20th Chapter will be announced at the KPBS San Diego Book Festival at the University of San Diego on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

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One Book Summer Reading List

Hundreds of books are nominated each year for consideration for the One Book, One San Diego program. In an effort to select just one title for each category, our advisory committees are forced to make some tough cuts. Here are a few books that aren't finalists this year, but they're too good not to make your TBR (To Be Read) list this summer:

Celebrate Our 20th Chapter!

Share our milestone year with us! Discover how to get involved with One Book, One San Diego below.

Subscribe to the One Book, One San Diego email list to receive updates. (You will receive invitations and other communications from KPBS. You will be able to manage email preferences at any time.)





June 10-July 5, Theme Exhibit, Del Mar Fairgrounds (free with fair admission)

Once Upon a Fair, a celebration of stories where books are larger than life and words and artwork leap off the pages. The 2026 San Diego County Fair invites fairgoers of all ages to explore the world of books through educational exhibits, hands-on exploration, and community engagement. Visit the KPBS exhibit to explore the past 20 seasons of the One Book, One San Diego program, San Diego Book Festival, and celebrate KPBS' commitment to storytelling in San Diego for 65 years.

View Event Details



Testimonials

"It has been my great pleasure over the last decade and a half to watch graphic novels and the comic art form be embraced by schools and libraries alike, allowing reluctant and emerging tween and teen readers to grow comfortably and confidently into lifelong fans of literature! With the amazing support of KPBS and One Book One San Diego, I've seen young students finish a book for the first time and watched as student readers who would be described as hesitant at best engage with graphic novels and comics and actively continue reading and inquiring long after they've finished the One Book selection!" 

-Alonso Nunez, One Book advisory committee member and founder, Little Fish Comic Book Studio, San Diego

"I am thankful for the conversation with various community voices, having the opportunity to learn together and from one another."

-Student, Point Loma University

"The program allows students who would not naturally choose this community topic to read about issues that are relevant to a larger community.  Students were able to recognize systematic racism on a different level...One student, DG, said she usually reads audible books, but she was able to go back and reference the text more accurately and retain more of the information because she was able to discuss it with others." 

-Brenda Bell Young, Educator, Crawford High School

"One Book, One San Diego brings the Oceanside community together. The One Book  selections this year were important topics of fighting racism in The Sum of Us, mental health challenges in Iveliz Explains it All, and following your dreams in Nigel and the Moon.  These topics produced meaningful conversations among all ages, allowing for friendly discussion and consideration of various viewpoints." 

-Amy Kleman, Librarian, Oceanside Public Library

“As a college student, I really appreciate the One Book program for providing access to free books. I think there is a lot of power in engaging in community reading – I love that our community cares about diversity and social justice as evident in the titles of this year’s picks. These books have inspired me to read more and to read books that I normally wouldn’t read. Now, I can recommend these books to others!”

-Student, San Diego State University

“Victory Stand highlights the resilience and voices of youth facing systemic challenges, fostering empathy and understanding. The narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of storytelling in creating awareness and inspiring social change.”

-Student, San Diego Unified School District

“I am reaching out to express appreciation on behalf of my school's teachers and students for the generous book donations that you have helped connect us with once again! The copies of The Magic Fish and The Vanishing Half donated from SDCL and KPBS have not only provided my school community with access to read these titles along with the rest of San Diego County, but they will continue to be read and enjoyed moving forward as part of both our school library and classroom literature circle collections. Teachers at my school have been demonstrating interest in teaching with graphic novels, so expanding their ability to provide more of these titles for students is greatly appreciated, particularly given the limited budgets that we have at our school to purchase new instructional materials. The donated books will be used and appreciated on a recurring basis with students for years to come!” 

-Educator, West Hills High School

“Many of the women at Las Colinas who read Being Heumann appreciated the chance to learn more about the disability rights movement. One woman wrote a review saying, “I feel more knowledgeable about the disabled movement, and how constant pressure and activism sparked change that improved millions of disabled lives.” She also shared her surprise that the history of the disability rights movement is not taught in schools, reflecting, “If we want to know the full history, we have to dig for ourselves. If we don’t. we will be given meager slivers of the past - mere fragments.”

-Librarian, Santee Library, San Diego County Library

“Receiving a free book was such an amazing opportunity! I’ve always loved reading, but sometimes it’s hard to get books I’m really excited about. Having access to a new book made me feel motivated and inspired. I’m so grateful for this chance and can’t wait to dive into more stories.”

-Student, Somali Family Service of San Diego

“The “We are Water Protectors” book opened the door for conversations about environmental issues and activism. Marissa, age 10, was inspired by the book and created the “green club” at the Roberts Family Branch in Linda Vista. The “green club” is a specialty club that focuses on recycling and recycling activities. Youth completed a beautification project in their garden, used recycled items to create art and made bird feeders out of paper towel rolls. The “green club” was a great addition to our program.”

-Boys and Girls Club of Greater San Diego

"Imperial Valley has one of the lowest literacy levels in the state of California and the distribution of books is essential to build up literacy and inspire new readers... I have extended my outreach to include district librarian technicians in the past two months. KPBS donated extra copies of previous One Book, One San Diego titles and I attended a county librarian meeting where 1,048 books were distributed to 12 school district libraries. Librarians were overjoyed with the bounty and variety of books. This was a secondary activity on top of the earlier distribution. This activity expanded the network of literacy in Imperial County...We were able to provide free books to multiple grade levels of readers in the Calexico Unified School District and the extended community." 

-Norma Aguilar, San Diego State University Imperial Valley Campus

“This was a wonderful, accessible way to introduce small children to Chicano history and a difficult topic. This was our first year holding bilingual storytimes at our branch, and I think the OBOSD selection (coupled with holding the program during Hispanic Heritage Month) made a particular impact on the local Latino population.” 

-Librarian, Julian Library, San Diego County Library

“El beneficio es acercarnos a historias que nos permiten abrir nuestra perspectiva sobre aspectos culturales y sociales, a través de la lectura.  Asimismo, nos permite abordar textos dirigidos a jóvenes en el idioma que estamos estudiando como segundo idioma.”

-Educator, CBTIS 41, Ensenada

“Este proyecto me ha permitido realizar la labor de fomento lector, con la posibilidad de llegar a públicos distintos, así como tener la posibilidad de la donación del acervo, que es lo que a veces dificulta por no tener los recursos, seguir promoviendo lo aprendido, como escuchar a niñas, niños y ser acompañamiento.”

-Manuela Cantú Mendívil, Jugamos a Leer

  • The 2025 One Book, One San Diego selections are pictured in this graphic.
    2025 One Book authors talk about their titles
    We sit down with the authors of the children, teen and adult selections for 2025 One Book, One San Diego.
  • One Book, One San Diego Announces 2025 Titles
    One Book, One San Diego has announced the selections for the 2025 region-wide read: “Deacon King Kong” by James McBride has been chosen for adult readers; “Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam” by Thien Pham for teens and tweens; and “The Interpreter” by Olivia Abtahi and illustrated by Monica Arnaldo for children.
  • One Book, One San Diego Announces 2024 Titles
    One Book, One San Diego has announced the selections for the 2024 region-wide read: “Know My Name: A Memoir,” by Chanel Miller has been chosen for adult readers; “Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice,” by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile for teens and tweens; and “Barrio Rising: The Protest that Built Chicano Park,” by María Dolores Águila and illustrated by Magdalena Mora for children.
  • Meet Our One Book, One San Diego Authors for 2024!
    One Book, One San Diego is our region's premier literary program, presented in partnership between KPBS and over 80 public libraries, service organizations and educational institutions. Now in its 18th year, the purpose is to bring our community closer together through the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book.

Sponsors

One Book is funded by the Linden Root Dickinson Foundation. Additional support comes from the Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation, the Frieda Berlinski Foundation, and the Payne Family Foundation.

One Book is a partnership between KPBS, the San Diego Public Library and the San Diego County Library, and the following organizations:

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Find answers to the most common questions about the One Book, One San Diego program below.

What is One Book, One San Diego?

One Book, One San Diego is a community reading program. It is a partnership between KPBS, San Diego Public Library, the San Diego County Library, and a long list of other community partners found below. The purpose of the program is to bring together our community and encourage residents to join together in the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book. The program also encourages participation in related events, discussions of the ideas raised in the featured books, and examination of how these ideas connect with our daily lives and local communities. Each year, One Book, One San Diego features one book for adults, one for teens, one for kids and one for Spanish language readers (One Book Sin Fronteras).

What is One Book for Kids?

One Book for Kids is a companion program to One Book, One San Diego that is just for kids! The Children's and Young Adult Advisory Committee reviews community nominations and ultimately selects a title they believe fits the selection criteria best. In the fall, KPBS and our community partners host events inspired by the book for kids and families.

What is One Book for Teens?

One Book for Teens is a companion program to One Book, One San Diego, that is just for tweens and teens! The Children's and Young Adult Advisory Committee reviews community nominations and ultimately selects a title they believe fits the selection criteria best. In the fall, KPBS and our community partners host events inspired by the book for teens, tweens, and their families.

How are the books chosen?

The process for selecting the One Book titles is designed for maximum community participation. Residents of San Diego and Imperial County and Baja California are invited to nominate books through paper and online nominations. The One Book Advisory Committees review all book nominations and select titles they believe will best meet the One Book criteria and goals of the program.