On the Shelf

Header Right Social

FacebookInstagramMeetupOn the Shelf Blog

Header Right Search

Biography

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

On a Beam of Light

by Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms. Tess!

On a Beam of Light by Jennifer Berne, with illustrations by Vladimir Radunsky, is a biography of Albert Einstein for children. Einstein lead a remarkable life. As a child he was intrigued by mysteries and asked so many questions his teachers told him he was a distraction to the rest of the class, and he’d never amount to anything! But he continued to learn and read and imagine. Some of his greatest contributions to the world were the discovery of atoms – tiny stuff that everything is made of – and the realization that we are all constantly moving through space and time – even when we are standing still. He was always thinking, and doing things to make himself happy so that he could think better, like eating ice cream, playing his violin, and not wearing socks. Einstein hated socks. I think it’s important to encourage young people to think, and to question, and to investigate the world. Because of Einstein’s dreams, and thoughts, and questions, we’ve accomplished amazing things, like traveling to space. What will your child’s questions lead us to one day understand about the universe? See this book listed in our catalog

Game Changer

by Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms. Cassie!

Game Changer: John McLendon and the Secret Game by John Coy. In 1944 there was a secret basketball game played. Why was it a secret? Because in North Carolina, 19 years before Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech, segregation was the norm. In fact this game, featuring white and black players, was illegal at the time. But courageous coach John McLendon and this group of players were willing to defy the law to break down prejudice and racism. This is a story of bravery and strength. It is a great introduction to a difficult portion of American history, told through the lens of basketball, the American-invented sport. See this book listed in our catalog

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine

by Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms. Tess!

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by April Chu, tells the amazing life story of one of history’s most important inventors, that not many people have heard of, Ada Lovelace! As the daughter of Lady and Lord Byron (the famous poet), Ada grew up with a love and passion for math and science, however she was troubled by poor health. She did not let that stop her though. She continued to invent, learn, and explore, despite her health problems, and as an adult she continued to pursue her interests in math and science, despite it being the popular belief at the time (the early 1800’s) that these were not appropriate pursuits for women. She impressed famous mathematician Charles Babbage. He invented the first mechanical calculator, the Difference Engine, and he and Ada collaborated on plans for the first mechanical computer, the Analytical Engine. Ada created the algorithm, or instructions by which the computer would solve complex problems, essentially making her the world’s first computer programmer! See this book listed in our catalog

Trombone Shorty, Trapped, and Rad American Women

by Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms. Tess!
I wanted to share some of my favorite non-fiction picture books of the year so far with you! Here they are:

In Trombone Shorty Troy Andrews a.k.a. Trombone Shorty, a famous jazz musician, tells the story of his childhood in New Orleans, where music is everywhere. He wanted to make music, so he and his friends formed a band (the “5:00 Band” because that’s when they finished their homework). He played a busted trombone, and everyone called him “Trombone Shorty” because the instrument was twice his size. He was even called up on stage at the New Orleans Jazz Fest when he was just a little tyke, and played a song with Bo Diddley. It’s a sweet story about a person who followed his passion and is living his dream, and I think that’s important for kids to see. See this book listed in our catalog
I love Trapped: A Whale’s Rescue by Robert Burleigh about a humpback whale who gets trapped in a fishing net, and the humans who come to her rescue. I think it does a great job of educating children about whales. I thought the illustrations were really awesome, particularly at showing to scale how big the whale is compared to humans, and the book has interesting back matter. See this book listed in our catalog
Rad American Women A-Zby Kate Schatz is a book about women who have changed American history in different ways, for every letter of the alphabet! They come from different backgrounds, and historical periods. They accomplished different things. They are activists, athletes, and artists. Women like Kate Bornstein, the Grimke Sisters, Patti Smith, and Ursula LeGuin. There’s even a letter for the “women whose names we don’t know” – women who history has forgotten, women in our personal lives (like mothers and teachers), and women who will change the future. It’s an inspirational book for anyone. See this book listed in our catalog