We are excited to announce the selection for our annual One Book, One Burg: Louisburg Reads program, which will take place in February 2026. Our program strives to choose books that encourage unique perspectives and discussions among a diverse range of readers, and we have previously explored various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, adult, young adult, and classics.

The selection committee has chosen Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley for 2026. This powerful story explores several important and timely themes: finding one's voice, the lasting effects of child sexual abuse, the difficult process of healing and learning to trust, the importance of sisterhood and mutual strength, the foster care system, and the power of community support.

The novel centers on ten-year-old Della, whose older sister, Suki, has always been her sole protector. From their mother's imprisonment to an abusive living situation, Suki has been Della's constant support. However, when Suki attempts suicide, Della’s world is deeply affected, prompting her to question the wisdom of her own silence.

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley masterfully handles the complex subject of child sexual abuse, balancing the intensity of the narrative with compassion and moments of humor. Ultimately, this is a story about two sisters, bound by love and trauma, who must discover their individual voices before they can truly reconnect.

As the New York Times Book Review states, "Della's matter-of-fact narration manages to be as funny and charming as it is devastatingly sad. . . . This is a novel