STONEHAM READS
Who are we & What book are we reading this year?
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
Stoneham Reads is a community-building project in Stoneham, MA. All are invited to read the same book and participate in related activities to foster connections, promote an appreciation of our town, and have fun. Stoneham Reads seeks to build bridges by promoting reading, critical thinking, and community connection. As we join in reading, talking, and learning together, we feel we can make Stoneham a better place for all to live.
The Stoneham Reads project is a collaboration among town residents and community groups, sponsored by the Stoneham Community Action Network (CAN), and many other local organizations and businesses.
OUR 2026 SEASON THEME & BOOK
STORIES THAT STAY WITH US
“They Called Us Enemy”
A graphic novel & memoir by George Takei
The book, written in 2019, is a thoughtful and engaging memoir of Takei’s incarceration during his childhood in the Japanese-American internment camps during World War II.
Stoneham Reads selected this timely and important work to highlight an overlooked part of American history, and to bring the thread of historical events together to weave a picture of where we are today.
“My Lost Freedom”
A companion children’s book
In this book, Takei aims to help children today understand what it feels like to be treated as an enemy by your own country. It’s a story of a family’s courage, a young boy’s resilience, and the importance of staying true to yourself in the face of injustice.
GET INVOLVED
Pick up your copy and join the conversation!
Books, e-books, and audiobooks are all fair game!
📚 Visit the Stoneham Public Library to explore their collection and borrow some items.
431 Main Street Stoneham 781-438-1324
🏫 Check out our local bookstore The Book Oasis to bring home some books, and discover other gifts, reading materials, Stoneham merchandise, and more.
311 Main Street Stoneham 781-438-0077
All Stoneham and surrounding town residents are welcome
Throughout the program, Stoneham Reads invites the community to move beyond reading and into shared reflection, conversation, and connection.
Together, we’ll explore questions like:
💡 What does it mean to belong?
🏠 What makes a place feel like home?
🧒 How do experiences of exclusion or uncertainty shape a child’s understanding of the world?
We will host and participate in a variety of events designed to bring these themes to life and foster community connection:
Silent Book Groups Join your neighbors and community members for a non-traditional reading experience; there's no assigned book, just read, and then join casual low-pressure discussion.
Stoneham Farmers’ Market Stop by our table at local markets to learn more, engage with interactive activities, and share your thoughts on what home and belonging mean to you.
Stoneham Pride & Town Day Stop by our table at these vibrant community celebrations to check out ‘new to you’ books, and reflect on community, and the strength of diverse voices.
Film Screening A curated film experience that expands on the book’s themes, followed by a guided discussion to reflect on history, identity, and belonging.
And More… Additional programs may include guest speakers, youth-focused discussions, book clubs, and creative workshops designed to deepen engagement across the community.
PAST YEARS
The first season of Stoneham Reads, 2021, we launched with a book focused on racial history and social justice: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. Our second season was focused on the national bestseller Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. For our third season, 2023, we engaged in community conversation around the themes in Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. In 2024, we curated and shared a selection of books around the theme, Embracing Diversity: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Literature and Community; and in 2025 we chose the book Year of No Garbage by Eve O. Schaub. Click below to see more.
Mary Shannon:
“I'm excited to support the Stoneham Reads project because our stories bring people together. Our community is stronger when we learn about each other, and Stoneham Reads creates a space for learning and growth. As a social worker and a reader, I firmly believe that there is always a way to create change so long as there is thoughtful, compassionate communication.”
Receive Updates or Volunteer with Us
Click “Sign up for updates” to join our mailing list.
Leave a message if you’re interested in volunteering, or have ideas to share with us. We can't wait to hear from you!
Email Address: stonehamreads@stonehamcan.org