Joeten-Kiyu Public Library to Showcase the Northern Mariana Islands’ Literary Heritage at Library of Congress’ National Book Festival
[Saipan, MP] The Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book (NMICB), a state affiliate of the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book administered by the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library–NMI State Library, proudly announces its 2026 Books of the Year, recognizing two works that preserve, celebrate, and share the stories, history, and cultural heritage of the Northern Mariana Islands with readers of all ages. The 2026 official selections are as follows:
- Guinaiyan Nåna: Mother’s Love written by Carmen S. Taimañao. Illustrated by Rodante Guarda. Written in Chamorro with English translation, published by the Children of Our Homeland A.N.A. Project, the Library Friends c/o Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (2026 Young Reader’s Official Selection)
- Without a Penny in My Pocket: My Bittersweet Memories Before and After World War II written by Marie S. C. Castro, published by the Northern Marianas Humanities Council. (2026 Adult Reader’s Official Selection)
Together, these books represent the power of literature to connect generations and preserve the voices and experiences that form the cultural identity of the Northern Mariana Islands. From a story rooted in the enduring love of a mother to personal memories shaped by the profound experiences surrounding World War II, the 2026 selections invite readers to understand, remember, and celebrate the people and traditions of the Northern Mariana Islands.
The celebration will extend beyond the islands as the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library will host a booth at the Library of Congress National Book Festival on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. As part of the festival’s Roadmap to Reading space, Booth 320 will showcase the Northern Mariana Islands’ 2026 Books of the Year and highlight the NMI’s distinctive literary heritage, Indigenous voices, cultural traditions, and contributions to American literature.
Library of Congress’ National Book Festival is one of the nation’s premier literary celebrations, bringing together authors, poets, illustrators, scholars, educators, librarians, and readers from across the country and beyond. The 2026 festival, themed “It’s Your Story,” is part of the Library of Congress’s America 250 celebration and invites audiences to reflect on the many stories that make up the American experience.
For the Northern Mariana Islands, participation in this national event represents a meaningful opportunity to bring the stories of the Commonwealth to a broader audience while building connections with libraries, educators, cultural institutions, and literary organizations from throughout the United States.
“Books are more than pages and words; they are vessels that carry our memories, our language, our history, and the voices of our people from one generation to the next,” said Erlinda C. Naputi, Library Director. “Congratulations to our 2026 Books of the Year– Guinaiyan Nåna: Mother’s Love written by Carmen S. Taimañao (Young Reader’s Selection) and Without a Penny in My Pocket: My Bittersweet Memories Before and After World War II (Adult Reader’s Selection) written by the late Marie S. C. Castro. Our 2026 Books of the Year remind us that the stories of the Northern Mariana Islands are an important part of the larger American story. We are deeply honored to bring these works to the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival and to share the richness of our islands, our heritage, and our people with readers from across the nation.”
The Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book: Joeten-Kiyu Public Library continues to promote literacy, a love of reading, and appreciation for books and libraries throughout the Commonwealth. As a state affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the Book, NMICB celebrates the Northern Marianas’ robust literary heritage and works to create bridges among readers, authors, educators, librarians, publishers, cultural organizations, and communities throughout Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
The 2026 selections also continue a growing tradition of recognizing Northern Mariana Islands authors and works that document the Commonwealth’s history, languages, traditions, and lived experiences. The official Books of the Year are available for checkout through the Pacific Collection at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, providing community members with an opportunity to discover and engage with these important works.
- Guinaiyan Nåna: Mother’s Love written by Carmen S. Taimañao. Illustrated by Rodante Guarda. Written in Chamorro with English translation, published by the Children of Our Homeland A.N.A. Project, the Library Friends c/o Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (2026 Young Reader’s Official Selection)
- Without a Penny in My Pocket: My Bittersweet Memories Before and After World War II written by Marie S. C. Castro, published by the Northern Marianas Humanities Council. (2026 Adult Reader’s Official Selection)
- Håfa Un A’atan? by Dolores Ichihara Marciano. Illustrated by Rodante Guarda. Written in Chamorro with English translation, published by the Children of Our Homeland A.N.A. Project, the Library Friends c/o Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (2025 Young Reader’s Official Selection)
- In Retrospect written and published by Juan Nekai Babauta (2025 Adult Reader’s Official Selection)
- Hafa Sinentete-mu? by Adora Jay San Nicolas åfa Un A’atan? by Dolores Ichihara Marciano. Illustrated by Rodante Guarda. Written in Chamorro with English translation, published by the Children of Our Homeland A.N.A. Project, the Library Friends c/o Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (2024 Young Reader’s Official Selection)
- The Rope of Tradition: Reflections of a Saipan Carolinian by Lino Olopai with Dr. Juliana Flinn, published by the Northern Marianas Humanities Council in collaboration with the Children of Our Homeland Project/Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (2024 Adult Reader’s Official Selection)
- Bweletáál Wischiirá, eew kkol Refaluwasch. The Stick Dance, A Carolinian Tradition by Jude Litulumar, illustrated by Sinahi Nation, written in Carolinian with English translation, edited by the Chamorro and Carolinian Language Policy Commission and the Carolinian Affair’s Office, and published by the Lady Diann Torres Foundation through the Young Author’s Program. (2023 Young Reader’s Official Selection)
- Saipan: A Brief History by Don Farrell edited by Scott Russell and published by Micronesian Productions (2023 Adult Reader’s Official Selection)
- I Duendis: The Duendis by Cielo Citlalli Gutierrez Long. Written in Chamorro with English translation, edited by the Indigenous Affairs Office and the Chamorro and Carolinian Language Commission, and published by the Lady Diann Torres Foundation’s Language and Literacy Young Author’s Program. (2022 Official Children’s Selection)
- Marmalade’s Exciting Tail (Book One of The Marmalade Series) by Katrina Manning, published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. (2022 Official Teen Selection)
- The Fundamental Issues Affecting the Northern Mariana Islands by Jose S. Dela Cruz and published by Mutual Publishing LLC, 2021. (2022 Adult Reader’s Official Selection)
Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s Great Reads Reading Challenge
The community is also invited to take part in the Great Reads digital Reading Challenge. Read all 11 NMI Books of the Year and complete your digital reading log through READsquared by visiting the library’s website at www.cnmilib.org and selecting the ONLINE RESOURCES tab. From there, register and login to participate in the Great Read Reading Challenge for free. https://cnmilib.readsquared.com/?utm_source=readsquared&utm_medium=readsquare d&utm_campaign=readsquared_CNMI
The National Book Festival
The National Book Festival will take place on Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The festival is free and open to everyone. For the first time this year, free tickets will be required for festival entry, but not for individual programs within the festival. Tickets can be reserved at loc.gov/bookfest. For book lovers unable to join the festival in person, events on the Main Stage will be livestreamed on loc.gov/bookfest. Videos of presentations will be made available at loc.gov and on the Library’s YouTube channel shortly after the festival. Visit loc.gov/bookfest to learn more about attending the festival.
About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States – and extensive materials from around the world – both onsite and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
About Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book: Joeten-Kiyu Public Library
About Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book: Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book (NMICB) is a state affiliate of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress. NMICB promotes literacy and a love of books, reading, and libraries throughout the state, celebrating the Northern Marianas’ robust literary heritage. The NMI Center for the Book is under the direction of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library-NMI State Library, which seeks to preserve the CNMI’s cultural heritage by connecting people, libraries, and government to the resources and tools they need to succeed and to build a strong community. The NMI Center for the Book encourages, develops, and promotes an appreciation for books and the bridges they create across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands- Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The NMI Center for the Book builds partnerships with library professionals, educators, authors, publishers, and booksellers who provide support to our shared mission of promoting a love of literature and lifelong learning throughout the CNMI. NMICB is administered by the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library-NMI State Library, an independent program under the Office of the Governor.
The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library continues to develop innovative and enriching programs for the community. Explore our free resources and upcoming events on our website at www.cnmilib.org and social media platforms: like/follow JKPL’s Facebook page @joetenkiyupubliclibrary, Instagram @joetenkiyupubliclibrary, X @jkpl670, Twitter @JoetenKiyu, and Youtube: joeten kiyu public library. For more information regarding any of our activities, please contact JKPL at (670) 235-7322/23 (READ).
HOW CAN YOU HELP ASSIST WITH OUR PROGRAMS?
We welcome and encourage businesses to please consider donating Educational Tax Credit. Pursuant to NMI Public Law 15-120, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library is able to receive cash contributions under Educational Tax Credit (ETC). Please make checks payable to: CNMI Treasury. For MUNIS payments, to the Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library MUNIS Vendor ID#100404.
This program is supported in part by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services LS-260857-OLS-26 and RE-259015-OLS-25.
This project was made possible in part by the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grant.
The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ####
