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The Righteous Mind

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The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt
Format: Book, audiobook
Who it’s for: Adults

‘Can we all get along?’ The book begins with this often cliché question but then examines the psychological and cultural roots of why we often can’t achieve this goal. What are we basing our ideas of right and wrong on in the first place and is there any middle ground between opposing sides?

Dr. Jonathan Haidt writes through the lens of moral psychology which pulls together a broad range of aspects of a society such as anthropology, history, religion, and politics. He examines what moral intuition is, how it reacts with reason, and how we all interact with each other based on it. Dr. Haidt offers constructive ideas about drawing ideas from liberals, conservatives, and libertarians alike to find that middle ground that could benefit the whole society.

Audiobook is often a good format for non-fiction books such as this and you can find this title in our Libby app as an eAudiobook. Print versions of the book are also available for check out through the link below. If you have questions about using electronic resources please call or visit us at the library.

Find the digital book in Libby

Find the print book in our catalog

They Called Us Enemy

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They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
Format: Graphic Novel
Who it’s for: Teens and Adults

What did the Japanese Internment Camps look like from a kid’s eye view? George Takei, well known for his role as Lieutenant Sulu in the original Star Trek series, was a 5 year old boy living in California in 1942 when his family was taken from their home and sent to live in a series of faraway Internment Camps for the duration of World War II.

The graphic novel is a great format for this biography that allows you to simultaneously see this story from the point of view of a child, his parents, and you the outside observer. You’ll get insight into life in the camps, the effects such an experience has on people for the rest of their lives, and the questions we must all ask ourselves about human rights, patriotism, and justice.

If you haven’t tried a graphic novel before, let this one be the first!

Find They Called Us Enemy in the catalog
Find They Called Us Enemy in Hoopla

A Wolf By the Ears

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A Wolf By the Ears by Wayne Karlin
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

Step back in time over 200 years into this well told historical fiction story set right here in St. Mary’s County during the War of 1812! See places familiar to you through the eyes of the main characters who are two enslaved people and their holder, living on a plantation during a tumultuous time in our local history.

When the British forces entice the enslaved to turn and fight against their holders, Towerhill, Sarai, and Jacob need to come to terms with the conflicts of slavery, loyalty, retribution, and justice. Their struggle is played out against the backdrop of the actual events of the invasion of Leonardtown by the British in 1814.

You’ll be inspired to visit historical sites around the county to find out more about the facts behind this story!

The author, Wayne Karlin, will be part of our upcoming program on the Network to Freedom Trail sites in St. Mary’s County. We’ll be exploring the real history of the struggle for freedom by the enslaved in our county and tying it together with this work of historical fiction. Register for the virtual event!

Find A Wolf by the Ears in the catalog.

In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse

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Get ready for a road trip!
Jimmy and his grandpa, both Lakota Native Americans, travel together one summer through what is now South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana to walk in the footsteps of their famous ancestor, Tasunke Witko, who is better known to us as Crazy Horse.
The pair drive, hike, and camp to explore the full life of a boy who grows into a leader as the grandpa teaches Jimmy about the man behind the legend.
Walk along with them through Crazy Horse’s boyhood home, the hunting plains, Army forts, and battle sites as they uncover this story of life, love, war, hope, and heartbreak.
Joseph Marshall III, historian and storyteller, has written several nonfiction books for adults and now offers this children’s book to engage young readers in the rich history of indigenous people. Note: This book includes details of battles and forceful displacement.

Find it in the catalog

Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome

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Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome by Clarabelle van Niekerk & Liezl Venter, MA CCC-SLP
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Children ages 5-7

When kids start school they will be encountering all sorts of different people and new situations.  Books like this one are great conversation starters for you and your child to talk through how you may best respect and appreciate a new friend who happens to be on the autism spectrum.

In this story, you’ll meet Sam who loves to put puzzles together and to play the cello but who also doesn’t like the feel of his new coat and sometimes can’t stop crying when he’s frustrated. After Sam and his dog leave home one night to walk to the fair alone, his family and teachers discover that Sam has Asperger Syndrome.  Once everyone understands what is going on they are able to start making things better for everybody.

At the end of the book there are 10 Helpful Tips from the author, who is a certified specialist in autism spectrum disorders, that offer practical advice in simple to understand language.

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The Hate U Give

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The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Format: Book, eBook, Audiobook, eAudiobook.  Movie version available DVD or Blu-Ray
Who it’s for: Adults, Teens

Sixteen year old Starr is living a double life.  One Starr lives in a black, lower income neighborhood and feels like she doesn’t quite fit in.  The other Starr attends a private, mostly white school and feels like she can never quite be herself.
One night, Starr is riding in a car with her childhood friend Kahlil when they get stopped by police. After a short but tense exchange, Kahlil is fatally shot leaving Starr as the only witness.
A whirlwind of events send Starr’s two worlds crashing into each other so she is left with no choice but to find her voice and decide who her one true self is and what she stands for.

 

The audiobook was amazing and the movie was a very good adaptation of the book although they did have to condense some characters.  I read the book first and it helped to better understand some parts of the story that I might have missed otherwise.

Find it in the catalog