On the Shelf

Header Right Social

FacebookInstagramYoutubeMeetupOn the Shelf Blog

Header Right Search

Biography

They Called Us Enemy

by Leave a Comment

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

Pirate Queen: A Story of Zheng Yi Sao

by Leave a Comment

Pirate Queen: A Story of Zheng Yi Sao by Helaine Becker and Liz Wong
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Pirate Queen: A Story of Zheng Yi Sao by Helaine Becker (illustrated by Liz Wong) is about a young woman who would become the most powerful pirate in history.

When pirates raid her city, Zheng Yi Sao boldly makes the pirate captain an offer: she will marry him only if she gets an equal share in his enterprise. He agrees. Years later, her husband has died, and at thirty-two years old Zheng Yi Sao has 70,000 men and 1,800 ships under her command. Her power would eventually come to rival the emperor himself.

In Pirate Queen, Becker takes what little is known about Zheng Yi Sao and weaves together an exciting and intriguing story of her accomplishments and what her life may have been. Wong’s illustrations are simple and muted, yet effective in highlighting Zheng Yi Sao’s cleverness, bravery, and ferocity. I would recommend Pirate Queen for children ages 6-12, or for any adult with an interest in pirate queens.

Find Pirate Queen in the catalog here!

The Wizard and the Prophet: Two Remarkable Scientists and Their Dueling Visions to Shape Tomorrow’s World

by Leave a Comment

The Wizard and the Prophet: Two Remarkable Scientists and Their Dueling Visions to Shape Tomorrow’s World by Charles C. Mann
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

How should we feed and provide power to the growing world population? Many debates about this question come down to two conflicting beliefs. We all need to cut back or else everyone will suffer when we hit our ecological limits! says one side. No, we need MORE people doing MORE innovating, and technology will let us overcome all problems! counters the other.

People who espouse the former sentiment, Charles Mann argues, might be called “Prophets”, warning of doom unless we change our ways. The latter, techno-optimist point of view is held by “Wizards”, contending that the magic wand of technology will cause any apparent limits to evaporate.

In The Wizard and the Prophet, Mann examines the lives of two twentieth-century scientists whom you may never have heard of, but whose opposing views came to dominate our current discussions of pressing environmental and humanitarian problems. He uncovers the development of William Vogt’s prophetic beliefs and Norman Borlaug’s wizardly notions, then demonstrates how their philosophical descendants approach some of the conundrums facing humanity: sufficient food, adequate water, energy generation, and climate change.

Find it in the catalog, check it out, then supply yourself with both a dictionary and an open mind as you read this book. Mann will introduce you to both some new words (perfervid, anyone?) and some new thoughts about the key issues of our time.

Harriet Tubman – Two Recommended Books

by Leave a Comment

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford and Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Format: Book
Who it’s for:  Kids

 

 

Who Was Harriet Tubman? By Yona Zeldis McDonough and Illustrated by Nancy Harrison
Series Title: Who Was–?
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Anyone from Maryland should know who Harriet Tubman is, but do you really?  I’m from Cambridge, so of course I know who she is, right?  I do, of course, but I wanted to learn more especially with the new movie coming out – https://www.focusfeatures.com/harriet/.  And, I want my kids to know who she is, so I read two different books about her that are geared towards kids.

First I read, Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford and Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.   This book won a Caldecott Honor in 2007 and the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrator in 2007.  It is truly a beautiful book.  The story follows Harriet shortly after she is told she is about to be sold by her owner, through her years transporting people on the Underground Railroad.  It is about how she was given the name Moses and her faith in God which led her to do the right thing.   This is a work of fiction and some of the story differs from other accounts of Harriet’s life, but I still think it is a great way to introduce a child to Harriet Tubman.   Find it in the catalog

Next I read, Who Was Harriet Tubman? By Yona Zeldis McDonough and Illustrated by Nancy Harrison.  This is part of the Who Was–? Series which are biographies for kids.  Written like a story, this biography was easy to read and is full of factual information about the time during which Harriet lived.  I actually prefer to read kids biographies because you learn about the person but without being overwhelmed with facts (oh and there are usually pictures!).  This biography describes Harriet’s work on the Underground Railroad, as a nurse during the Civil War and as a Spy for the Union army.  Find it in the catalog

Now I’m ready to see the movie!

 

The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

by Leave a Comment

The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
Format: Digital Audiobook
Who it’s for: Adults

This book is hilarious. The audiobook is exuberantly read by the author and her grit and honesty shine through from the very first line. Haddish unfurls an intense string of experiences that make readers feel a personal connection with her. She shares stories of her grade school bullies, her time in foster care, a mother with mental illness, experiences with sexual abuse, and domestic violence. Her hardships have been intense but through humor and bravery she refuses to fail.
Haddish opens her life to her us with no filter. The language is excessively profane but the blunt retelling of her experiences makes the reader feel spellbound by her strength and self confidence. This book leaves readers with the feeling that they can succeed through anything. If you’re looking for a gritty, uplifting read, this is a winner. Find it in the catalog.

Hildegard of Bingen: Scientist, Composer, Healer, and Saint

by Leave a Comment

Hildegard of Bingen: Scientist, Composer, Healer, and Saint by Demi
Publication Date: April 7, 2019
Who it’s for: Kids

Hildegard of Bingen was born in 1098, and she was one of the most remarkable and influential women of her time. Blessed with an astonishing array of talents, Hildegard was a mystic, theologian, scientist, doctor, nutritionist, composer, writer, linguist, and artist. Popes and kings, as well as humble peasants, sought her wise counsel. Today, Hildegard of Bingen is recognized as a saint and doctor by the Catholic Church and is  revered by many Lutherans and other Protestants. Find out more about her life in this beautifully illustrated book by award-winning author, Demi.

Find it in the catalog
Find more  illustrated biographies by Demi