May 20, 2024 - News

Pennsylvania man's memoir featured at National Book Festival

Mike D'Onofrio

Illustration of a sun with rays made from an open book — Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

A Black man who penned a powerful memoir about being shot by a Pittsburgh police officer is representing Pennsylvania in August at the National Book Festival.

The big picture: The Library of Congress asks the states and territories to select books showcasing their literary heritage for the annual festival in Washington, D.C.

Zoom in: The Pennsylvania Center for the Book selected "An Unspeakable Hope: Brutality, Forgiveness, and Building a Better Future for My Son," by Leon Ford with Jeffery Renard Allen for its Great Read for Adults.

Leon's memoir details his pivot toward social activism following the police shooting.
He was left paralyzed from the waist down just as he became a father.

Plus: Kelly Starling Lyons's "Ty's Travels: Camp-Out" is the children's selection.

Part of the I Can Read Comics series, the book follows a young child as he has fun on a camping trip despite nonstop rain.

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Pennsylvania man's memoir featured at National Book Festival

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