Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sarah Weissman, Communications Specialist
(410) 685-4186 | [email protected]
Date: March 28, 2019
TRUE TALE OF DOCTOR’S FIGHT TO UNCOVER FLINT’S LEAD CONTAMINATION IS 2019 ONE MARYLAND ONE BOOK
(Baltimore, MD)—Maryland Humanities is pleased to announce 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. The 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,” says 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.”
Dr. Hanna-Attisha says: “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,” she continues. “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.”
About the Book
This year’s inspirational read is What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City by Mona Hanna-Attisha. The book 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 lead poisoning had on her young patients and the evidence she gathered to share with the world.
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. In her powerful book, What the Eyes Don’t See, and her personal and inspiring speeches, she motivates audiences to speak out against injustice.
About One Maryland One Book
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. We invite readers 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.
OMOB programs, including an author tour, take place each year in the fall. A calendar of free public events will be available online beginning this summer.
Want to discuss the book now or get updates on upcoming events? Join the conversation on the Maryland Center for the Book page. Connect with Maryland Humanities on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
One Maryland One Book is presented in partnership with Enoch Pratt Free Library and is sponsored by The Institute of Museum and Library Services via the Maryland State Library, as well as PNC Foundation and BGE, with additional support from M&T Bank.
