Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama

Mini-Summary from Litlovers: Dreams from My Father tells the story of Obama’s struggle to understand the forces that shaped him as the son of a black African father and white American mother—a struggle that takes him from the American heartland to the ancestral home of his great-aunt in the tiny African village of Alego.

NY Times Review: A Promise of Redemption:
http://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/06/books/review/06obama-dreams.html

Interview from 1995 regarding the book:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx_XS4s6aA4

Discussion Questions from LitLovers:

1. Describe the difficulties Obama had as a child—not fitting in with white children and fearing social "out-casts."

2. Is it possible for any individual born of two ethnic origins to find a society in which he or she truly belongs? Think of recent authors who have struggled with similar issues: Amy Tan (Chinese), Jhumpa Lahiri (Indian), Louise Erdrich (Native American). Also consider the classics of African-American writers like Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man and Richard Wright's Native Son, Toni Morrison's Beloved.

3. Discuss Obama's family. What about his mother—would you have liked more attention paid to her in this work? Also consider his grandparents and they role they played in his life.

4. When he makes his trip to Kenya, what does he come to understand about his father—and his own heritage.

5. Do you feel Obama's attitude toward the all-white culture is one of blame, acceptance, resignation? Or something else?

6. Ultimately, Obama's memoir is a coming-of-age story in which a young man who straddles two cultures seeks his identity in the adult world. How—or how well—does he succeed? What conclusions does he reach?

7. Talk about his work as a community social worker on Chicago's south side. What does he learn or come to realize about his role in the African-American community?

8. Knowing now, as we do, of Obama's election as President of the United States, how do you view the primary events in his memoirs? In what ways have they shaped his political success and his political views?

The Bees by Laline Paull

Summary:
This entertaining and creatively written story takes you deep into the bee hive, following the ever unique Flora 717 sanitation bee and her amazing adventures and unusual life.  She takes on the role of all the different bees, from feeding the larvae babies, to being a forager, meeting the queen and then doing the unthinkable.

Author's site: http://www.lalinepaull.com/the-bees/synopsis/

NY Times Review: "Hive Mentality" -
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/25/books/review/the-bees-by-laline-paull.html?_r=0

The Guardian Review: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/may/21/bees-laline-paull-fantasy-novel-review

Interview with the author by Bookanista: http://bookanista.com/laline-paull/

Discussion Questions:
1. What are some of the ways the book informs how bees function. How did the author help you visual, feel and understand this in new ways.
2. What genre would you place this book?
3. Flora is often described as heroic. Why and how?
4. How does Flora's knowledge of the archives help her and the hive?
5. How do the bees view of the world beyond and how do they respond and interact with it?
6. How does the the life of the bees in this story diverge from the true life of bees?
7. How is Flora different from the other bees?
8. Would agree that this a "Cinderella" story? How?
9. Would you recommend this book for a book prize and why?
10. Has this book inspired you to become a beekeeper?

The Genius of Dogs by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods

Summary: Brian Hare, Founder of Duke Canine Cognition Center, and his colleague, V. Woods, present their findings at the center and also review of the literature regarding dog's intelligence, their connection to humans as well about what it is to be a genius!

Interviews: 

a. "Survival of the Friendliest", Tiffany O'Callaghan, Slate: http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/new_scientist/2013/03/the_genius_of_dogs_brian_hare_on_friendliness_intelligence_and_inference.html

Brian Hare's websites: http://brianhare.net/the-genius-of-dogs/; https://www.dognition.com/

Review: 

a. http://www.brainpickings.org/2013/02/08/the-genius-of-dogs/

b." The Genius of Dogs and The Hidden Lives of Wolves" by M. Bekoff, Psychology https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-emotions/201302/the-genius-dogs-and-the-hidden-life-wolves

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0AYIUm__VI

Suggested additional reading - a story that perhaps inspired Brian Hare? : Kurt Vonnegut, "Welcome to the Monkey House: Tom Edison's Shaggy Dog"

(http://www.sciencebuddies.org/Files/2616/3/MamBio_img013.jpg)

Our Discussion Questions:

1. What are the advantages of natural selection versus self-domestication for wolves/dogs? What are roles for each of these? See page 105 for discussion, including about Bonobos, the dog of Apes.

2. How can friendliness and socialization contribute to survival for all species? See pages 112-114.

3. After reading this book, do you think humans are more similar to bonobos or chimpanzees, behaviorally? 

4. What impact can self-domestication have on a ecosystem?

5. How do both self-domestication and assisted domestication contribute to the development of dogs?

Who domesticated whom?

6. Compare the social structures of wolves versus dogs?

7. How important was the Russian experiment of domesticating silver foxes for understanding dog domestication?

8. Which domesticated animals share some of the same relationship characteristics as dogs with humans?  Which are more similar and which are less so?

Cosmos by Carl Sagan

Summary from Good Reads:
Cosmos has 13 heavily illustrated chapters, corresponding to the 13 episodes of the Cosmos television series. In the book, Sagan explores 15 billion years of cosmic evolution and the development of science and civilization. Cosmos traces the origins of knowledge and the scientific method, mixing science and philosophy, and speculates to the future of science. The book also discusses the underlying premises of science by providing biographical anecdotes about many prominent scientists throughout history, placing their contributions into the broader context of the development of modern science.

The book covers a broad range of topics, comprising Sagan's reflections on anthropological, cosmological, biological, historical, and astronomical matters from antiquity to contemporary times. Sagan reiterates his position on extraterrestrial life—that the magnitude of the universe permits the existence of thousands of alien civilizations, but no credible evidence exists to demonstrate that such life has ever visited earth.

Interview with Rolling Stone: http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/the-cosmos-19801225

Smithsonian Article: " Why Carl Sagan is Truly Irreplaceable." March 2014:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-carl-sagan-truly-irreplaceable-180949818/?no-ist

Interview with Ted Turner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV-YNO4ZeTM

National Geographic Article: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/cosmos-a-spacetime-odyssey/articles/carl-sagan-and-the-cosmos-legacy/

Original Series on YouTube: http://www.openculture.com/2014/03/carl-sagans-original-cosmos-series-on-youtube.html or https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBA8DC67D52968201

Bill Moyer's Interview with Neil deGrasse about the new Cosmos Series: http://billmoyers.com/episode/neil-degrasse-tyson-on-the-new-cosmos/

Discussion Questions:
A. From Athena: http://www.athenalearning.com/programs/cosmos/discussion-guide
B: Questions for the 2 series: http://phyz.org/cosmos/

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle

Summary:

The British author shares his experiences and adventures, month by month, about his new life in Provence in the Luberon area after purchasing a 200 year old stone farm house. It's witty, funny and he captures the essences of this unique area.

Interview: 20 years in Provence with Peter: http://www.connexionfrance.com/peter-mayle-interview-a-year-in-provence-20-years-news-article.html

Website: http://www.petermayle.com/index.php

His House for sale/sold: http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/new-to-market/mayle-saying-au-revoir-to-his-house-in-provence-1.1279646;
http://provenceventouxblog.com/2011/peter-mayles-lourmarin-maison-sold-new-home-in-the-slumerous-village-of-vaugines/

Reflecting on his fame and time in France:http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1996-06-25/features/1996177059_1_year-in-provence-mayle-new-book

Discussion Questions:

1. How well did Mayle's frequent trips to Provence as a tourist prepare him for the reality of residing there? What were some of the initial surprises he and his wife encountered?

2. How does the form of the book--a month-by-month journal--enhance the immediacy of Mayle's observations and draw the reader into his experiences? How do the changing seasons mirror Mayle's own adjustment to his new environment?

3. Mayle writes that neighbors take on an importance in the country that they don't have in the city [p. 6]. How do his relationships with Faustin, Massot, Menicucci, and the other local workmen reflect this? Does the fact that Mayle is a foreigner influence the way he is treated? How do the men working on his house endear themselves to Mayle, despite his continuing frustrations with their casual attitude about completing the job?

4. Mayle notes there are "two areas of endeavor in which France leads the world-- bureaucracy and gastronomy" [p. 23]. What particular characteristics of the French does Mayle bring to light in stories about the bureaucracy involved in buying the house, a car, insurance, and other necessities?

5. The influx of tourists begins in May and reaches a high point in August. How does his status as a resident affect Mayle's attitudes about friends and acquaintances who, as he himself once did, try to take in everything Provence has to offer during a short holiday? Does he learn things about himself and the life he has chosen by looking through the eyes of visitors? To what extent are his own perceptions influenced by his English upbringing?

6. How does the Mayles' party for the workmen and their wives, as well as their own Christmas dinner at a local restaurant, put the events of the year into context and serve as a coda to the book as a whole?
(Questions issued by publisher.) 

The Nesting Season by Bernd Heinrich

Summary: Bernd Heinrich provides an in-depth study of bird's songs, mating rituals, sex roles, predation, migration, and nesting behaviors in this fascinating and engaging book. He discusses in detail the variety of strategies birds use to reproduce and its complexities. There are some surprising and unexpected twists in bird romancing. It includes beautiful photos and the author's watercolors. It's a great read for Spring.

Harvard Press Book Information including Reviews, Table of Contents and More: http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674061934

Saint Paul Audubon - Review:
http://www.saintpaulaudubon.org/education/nesting-season-cuckoos-cuckolds-and-invention-of-monogamy

NPR Interview: "Nesting with a Naturalist":
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127240669

Interview on Science Friday with Ira:
http://www.sciencefriday.com/segment/05/28/2010/naturalist-bernd-heinrich.html

Northern Woodlands Site: Great Article and Photos about Nests: "Which Bird Made That Nest?"
http://northernwoodlands.org/articles/article/which-bird-made-that-nest/

Moonbird by Phillip Hoose

Summary:
This is the incredible story about B95, a male rufa Red knot, who flies over 18,000 miles per year from Tierra del Fuego to his breeding grounds in the Canadian Arctic and back again. His species has declined by 80% due to lost habitat and food availability. This book is about his life and questions why and how he has survived for over 20 years. Find out why he is called "Moonbird".

Review by The Horn Book: http://www.hbook.com/2012/08/choosing-books/review-of-the-week/review-of-moonbird-a-year-on-the-wind-with-the-great-survivor-b95/

Phillip Hoose's Website: http://www.philliphoose.com/books/moonbird/

Nature Conservancy Article: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/canada/b95-the-toughest-four-ounces-of-life.xml

Teacher's Guide: http://images.macmillan.com/folio-assets/teachers-guides/9780374304683TG.pdf