Title
Celebrating the Selection of My Broken Language: A Memoir, written by Philadelphia-born, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Quiara Alegría Hudes, for the 2022 “One Book, One Philadelphia” Program.
Body
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 20th 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
WHERAS, This year’s One Book, One Philadelphia selection is a Philadelphia coming-of-age story titled My Broken Language: A Memoir, by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Quiara Alegría Hudes; and
WHEREAS, Hudes is the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of Water By the Spoonful; author of a critically-acclaimed memoir, My Broken Language; and screenwriter of the major motion picture In the Heights and Netflix’s animated feature Vivo. She also co-wrote the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical In the Heights and off-Broadway’s Miss You Like Hell. Her notable essays include High Tide of Heartbreak, #OurMothersToo, and Corey Couldn’t Take It Anymore; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Philadelphia's Central High School, Hudes attended Yale University where she studied music composition. She subsequently attended Brown University, graduating in 2004 with an MFA in playwriting. In 2012, Hudes was a visiting playwright at Wesleyan University. She then returned to serve as the Shapiro Distinguished Professor of Writing and Theater from 2014- 2017. On October 27, 2011, Hudes was inducted into Central High School's Alumni Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, My Broken Language: A Memoir is only the second One Book selection written by a Philadelphia-born author. Hudes includes descriptions of Philadelphia’s famous landmarks in her book, including: the Route 34 Trolley, the Odunde Festival, the Italian Market’s cheese shops, the Black Lily, and the Free Library; and
WHEREAS, The official One Book, One Philadelphia public reading period lasts from April to June 2022. Programming begins on Wednesday, April 27 with a Kickoff Celebration with Quiara Alegría Hudes and Lilliam Rivera. The event will be held at the Parkway Central Library; and
WHEREAS, The seven-week programming season features dozens of free-to-the public events, discussions, and creative workshops centering on Quiara Alegría Hudes' memoir, My Broken Language, and the youth companion titles Never Look Back by Lilliam River and Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal; 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 celebrate poetry and connect 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 Quiara Alegría Hudes’ My Broken Language: A Memoir for the 2022 “One Book, One Philadelphia” program.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Quiara Alegría Hudes, evidencing the sincere respect of this legislative body.
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