Book Club
Book Club
READ. LEARN. LISTEN.
Say No to the Single Story
The guiding theme for the Treetops Book Club is "Say No to the Single Story," based on the TED Talk "The Danger of the Single Story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. In her talk, she discusses the problem of reducing complex individuals and situations to a single narrative.
Our goal for the Treetops Book Club is to dismiss narrow preconceptions we may hold about certain groups, cultures, and ideas, and to broaden our understanding by learning through specific stories from authentic, unique, multifaceted individuals. The book club selections and discussions will center around this theme, and through meaningful dialogue within our own community, we will restore humanity to those we may have stolen it from by oversimplifying them with a single story.
We meet once per quarter at The 906 to discuss the book selected together by Treetops staff and Book Club members. Click the link below to join us next time! In the meantime, check out our past books and discussion questions.
Current Book
Trip. My parents started using that word about a year ago—“one day, you’ll take a trip to be with us. Like an adventure.”
Javier Zamora’s adventure is a three-thousand-mile journey from his small town in El Salvador, through Guatemala and Mexico, and across the U.S. border. He will leave behind his beloved aunt and grandparents to reunite with a mother who left four years ago and a father he barely remembers. Traveling alone amid a group of strangers and a “coyote” hired to lead them to safety, Javier expects his trip to last two short weeks.
A memoir as gripping as it is moving, Solito provides an immediate and intimate account not only of a treacherous and near-impossible journey, but also of the miraculous kindness and love delivered at the most unexpected moments. Solito is Javier Zamora’s story, but it’s also the story of millions of others who had no choice but to leave home.
Join us on April 19 at Treetops from 10-11:30am for a group discussion on this title.
Past Books in ABC Order
Additional Reading Resources
If you are looking for more reading on the immigrant and refugee experience for both adults and children, please see these lists from our friends at the Grand Rapids Public Library. If you have questions or comments, please reach out to us!
Partnership with KDL
