Reading Across Rhode Island, Rhode Island’s One Book, One State community read program kicks off its 17th year by encouraging everyone to read What the Eyes Don’t See by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha.
On Thursday, April 11, 2019, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha’s author event was held from 6-9pm at the Bazarsky Lecture Hall, O’Hare Academic Building, 36 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, RI 02840.
April 11 Author Event Photo Album
Living Literature 2019 RARI Performance Schedule
UPCOMING EVENTS
- No events are scheduled.
Reading Across Rhode Island (RARI)– For over 15 years, Rhode Island’s only One Book, One State program focuses on a single book selected to stimulate meaningful discussions across our state. Once the selection is made, bookstores, schools, and libraries spread the word and build up momentum toward our concluding event featuring sold out addresses by the author. The Center provides thousands of books at no cost to schools and readers to fuel discourse that flows from connecting over a shared story and then bolsters the program with an in depth resource guide compiled by experienced teachers. The Center integrates dramatic and visual arts to enrich the reading experience. RARI penetrates every city and town in Rhode Island across all generations and classes of citizens.
About This year’s Honorary Chair: U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.
“As a voracious reader, I’m glad to join the Rhode Island Center for the Book to introduce the new Reading Across Rhode Island selection,” said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “What the Eyes Don’t See holds timely lessons from the tragedy in Flint, Michigan about the importance of taking an active role in democracy, standing up for what you know is right, and fighting for environmental justice.”
ABOUT THIS YEAR’S BOOK
“Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha’s memoir of uncovering elevated lead levels in Flint’s drinking water tells a fascinating story of corporate greed, grassroots activism, environmental racism, sexism in the sciences, and governmental coverup—not to mention the importance of the scientific method. But it’s not a dry science or economics book; this is at its heart a family memoir and medical thriller, written by a doctor who loves her job and feels a strong sense of duty to the people she serves. It made me furious and it made me hopeful, and I want everyone I know to read this book.” Reading Across Rhode Island Committee member, Elissa Sweet, Event and Marketing Director at Savoy Bookshop & Café.
“What the Eyes Don’t See’s themes of environmental justice. democracy, and infrastructure build upon last year’s Reading Across Rhode Island’s discussions of The Hate U Give” stated Kate Lentz, Director of the Rhode Island Center for the Book. Angie Thomas challenged us to use our voices: “what’s the point of having a voice if you’re going to be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be.” Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha tells us “it’s not good enough to use your voice. You need to be loud!”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is the crusading pediatrician who first researched and revealed the lead in the blood of Flint, Michigan’s children. Named one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World,” she continues to work to mitigate the impact of the water crisis on Flint’s children.
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Reading Across Rhode Island Kicks Off on January 27th from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at the The Pell Center at Salve Regina University Newport, RI.
Readers are invited to join Honorary Chair U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Living Literature, and an expert panel, led by Jim Ludes, Vice President for Public Research and Initiatives at Salve Regina University, for an engaging introduction to the book’s themes.
April 11th and 12th Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha visits RI!
Registration for events with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha will be available on the Rhode Island Center for the Book website in February. Look for other upcoming book-related events throughout the year at ribook.org.
Contact Kate Lentz at kate@ribook.org for sets of books available for loan to classroom teachers, library discussion groups and senior centers. Further reading lists, book discussion guides, the author’s website, audio interviews and other supplementary materials may be found on the Rhode Island Center for the Book website at ribook.org.
Rhode Island Center for the Book is a statewide organization devoted to promoting personal and community enrichment by celebrating the art and heritage of reading, writing, making, and sharing books. Founded in 2003, the RI Center for the Book is the state affiliate of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress and resides at The PellCenter at Salve Regina University.
PAST RARI BOOK SELECTIONS
2018 The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
2017 Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
2016 The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
2015 Norwegian By Night by Derek Miller
2014 Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
2013 The Beauty of Humanity Movement by Camilla Gibb
2012 Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
2011 The Unforgiving Minute by Craig Mullaney
2010 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows
2009 Five Skies by Ron Carlson
2008 Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
2007 The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty
2006 Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson
2005 The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
2004 The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
2003 Wish You Well by David Baldaci