Maryland Humanities announced the selection of “What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resilience, and Hope in an American City” by Mona Hanna-Attisha for the 2019 One Maryland One Book program.
Dr. Hanna-Attisha, a pediatrician, helped expose and make known the lead in Flint, Michigan’s water. Her book was chosen by a committee of librarians, educators, authors, and bibliophiles in February from more than 231 titles suggested last fall by readers across the state under the theme, “Nature.”
“One Maryland One Book brings together a wide range of residents from every corner of the state to talk about issues that matter to them,” said Phoebe Stein, executive director at Maryland Humanities. “I know Marylanders will find Dr. Hanna-Attisha’s book about her work in Flint and its profound impact compelling and relevant. I’m looking forward to hearing the important discussions this book will generate.”
“I’m humbled and psyched that What the Eyes Don’t See has been selected as the 2019 One Maryland One Book. I am looking forward to engaging with Maryland readers about the many timely issues that the book magnifies including poverty, race, industrial decline, inequality, toxic stress, austerity, and immigration,” Dr. Hanna-Attisha said. “I’m especially happy that the committee recognizes that environmental justice fits neatly within this year’s theme of ‘nature.’ In Michigan and Maryland— states with an abundance of natural beauty— the burden of environmental harm does not fall equally.”
“What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City,” chronicles Dr. Mona’s relentless pursuit to uncover the contamination of Flint, Michigan’s drinking water, which would lead to her testifying in front of Congress. Gripping and emotional, Dr. Mona’s personal account reads like a scientific thriller as she vividly recounts the effects that lead poisoning had on her young patients and the evidence she gathered to share with the world.
When we read a great book, we can’t wait to share the experience and talk about it with others. That’s one of the joys of reading. In that spirit, through its Maryland Center for the Book program, Maryland Humanities created One Maryland One Book (OMOB) to bring together diverse people in communities across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book. Readers are invited to participate in book- centered discussions and related programs at public libraries, high schools, colleges, museums, bookstores, and community and senior centers around the state.