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Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World

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Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World by Vashti Harrison
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Little Dreamers is a collection of true stories about the women creators, inventors, scientists, artists, and thinkers who changed the world with their ideas. From computer programmer Ada Lovelace to activist Wangari Maathai, this book tells the inspirational tales of those women whom perhaps were previously left out of history’s spotlight. The contributions of these women had profound influence in their respective cultures and ultimately helped to shape our world as we know it today.

The recognition given to each of these women’s accomplishments is presented by Vashti Harrison in a format that is both informative and succinct which would appeal well to the younger, targeted age group. However, I do believe that this could be an enjoyable book for readers of all ages. Harrison’s stories paired with her charming illustrations create a visually appealing timeline; one can flip through the book noting the distinct changes to the illustrations for each woman. While each woman is artistically rendered to represent her unique self, there is a standard stylistic format the author uses for her illustrations which implies that these women are of a strong and singular power. I found this book important because it reminds young audiences us that even the visionary, trail-blazing women of history were all once little dreamers, who dared to dream big.

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How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals

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The cover of this book caught my eye, so I decided to give it a try. And, I was pleasantly surprised. It is memoir that is interwoven with lessons learned from the animals in the author’s life. The author, Sy Montgomery, has been an animal lover since early childhood, and she developed deep connections with the animals that crossed her path. A writer by trade, Montgomery has traveled the world to conduct research for her writing. Thus, the animals she encounters range from family dogs and backyard hens to emus and octopuses.

Personally, I am not an animal person, but I still found Montgomery’s stories intriguing. In particular, I enjoyed learning about all of the exotic animals that she came across, including the Matschie’s tree-kangaroo and the Goliath birdeater. This was a quick, easy read. But, it may not be suitable for everyone, as it does contain a very frank discussion about depression and mental illness.

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The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure

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The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
Format: Book, eBook
Who it’s for: Adults, Teens

The Coddling of the American Mind addresses the question of why partisan rancor and over-the-top protests have mushroomed in recent years on college campuses. The authors argue that belief in three “Great Untruths” [(1) what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker; (2) always trust your feelings; and (3) life is a battle between good and evil people] has become widespread, especially among the generation that entered college in the last few years. They grant the capital-U “Untruths” designation to beliefs that both contradict psychological research on well-being and cause harm to the people who hold those beliefs.

Through the lenses of freedom-of-speech principles and cognitive behavioral therapy, Lukianoff and Haidt examine recent upheavals on college campuses and how they relate to the untruths. They explore several reasons why the untruths have become more common, including helicopter parenting, changes in our notions of justice, and adults (including college administrators) who encourage the notion that mere words can make someone “unsafe”. The book wraps up with recommendations for reducing the power of these ideas, from expanding recess to revising campus policies and practices that affect freedom of speech.

Despite the possible impression created by the title of the book, the authors are not engaging in a partisan rant about “liberal kids these days”. As they state themselves, “Most students are not fragile, they are not ‘snowflakes’, and they are not afraid of ideas”. What they do offer is an invitation to think more deeply about an issue that affects the heart of American democracy: who is allowed to speak, and what we are allowed to say.

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Backyard Bears: Conservation, Habitat Changes, & the Rise of Urban Wildlife

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The cover of the book "Backyard Bears"Backyard Bears: Conservation, Habitat Changes, & the Rise of Urban Wildlife by Amy E. Cherrix (Scientists in the Field series)
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

When you picture a scientist, do you think of somebody in a white coat working in a laboratory? The Scientists in the Field books show a whole different side of science- people who dive deep underwater, hike through jungles, climb volcanoes, crawl through caves, and (in this latest volume) track bears in their habitats. Backyard Bears is the story of a group of wildlife scientists learning about bears that live not in the wilderness, but in the city of Asheville, North Carolina. How did there get to be bears in a big city? What do they eat, where do they live, and how do they take care of their cubs? Are city bears dangerous to people and pets? Or are people more dangerous to bears? How many bears can live in Asheville, and still have enough to eat and places  to live? Follow wildlife scientists as they track bears, climb trees, and use technology to find the answers.

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The Book of Books

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The Book of Books by Jessica Allen
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

The Book of Books is the companion volume to the highly acclaimed PBS series, the Great American Read.

It is a visually stunning book with two full pages devoted to each title.  One page displays the cover of the first edition of the book, the author’s picture, and pages from the book or other interesting details.  The next page explains what inspired the author to write the book, what it is about, and biographical information about the author.

This is an absorbing book, a trip down memory lane, and a wonderful tribute to America’s greatest 100 novels.

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Killers of the Flower Moon. The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI

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Killers of the Flower Moon. The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI  by David Grann
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

The Osage Native American tribe was living the good life in the 1920s thanks to the oil fields lying under their reservation in Oklahoma.  Living the good life, that is, until their members start dying at an alarming rate under suspicious circumstances.  When tribe members are found blatantly murdered, an investigation is launched by J. Edgar Hoover who is desperately trying to make a name for himself and his budding Federal Bureau of Investigation. Newly appointed FBI Agent Tom White assembles an undercover team to infiltrate the close knit and increasingly dangerous Osage community and risks his own life in order to discover who is behind the heinous crimes.

David Grann is an award winning journalist from The New Yorker who weaves this true tale of mystery, conspiracy, and racial injustice. Grann reexamines this case through his investigation and manages to tie up the loose ends that the FBI was unable to resolve almost one hundred years ago.
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