THE WILD ROBOT ON THE ISLAND: Tuesday, July 7 at 7 PM

Get a behind the scenes glimpse of the Wild Robot world with author and illustrator Peter Brown. Brown has written and illustrated many books for children and earned numerous honors, including a Caldecott Honor, a Horn Book Award, two E.B. White Awards, two E.B. White Honors, a Children’s Choice Award for Illustrator of the Year, two Irma Black Honors, a Golden Kite Award, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award and multiple New York Times bestsellers. This event is sponsored by the Illustration Institute.

EIGHTEEN TWENTY WINES: Tuesday, July 14 at 7 PM

Island resident Amanda Denniston, founder of eighteen twenty wines, will talk about her entrepreneurship story. Denniston founded eighteen twenty wines in 2015 after tasting a friend’s homemade rhubarb wine. Inspired by that unexpected discovery, she set out to bring a truly unique, locally-sourced wine to market – made not from grapes, but from Maine-grown rhubarb. Wine tasting included!

THE MYSTERY IN THE ROOM: Tuesday, July 21 at 7 PM

Peaks Island author Dr. Chuck Radis will discuss his new book, The Mystery in the Room: A Physician’s Journey Treating Patients With Rare Diseases. The book captures the real-world challenges – and quiet victories and defeats – faced by both doctor and patient in the real-world challenges of complex immune system diseases.

“The Mystery in the Room made me laugh and brought me to tears. Dr. Radis’ delightful book provides a seldom-seen insight into the analytic and human focused approach to the true mystery that may await in the next patient room.”
-Dr. Karen Nichol

​

BOOK DISCUSSION: Tuesday, July 28 at 7 PM

Come share some lemonade cookies and a discussion of The New York Times bestseller, Theo of Golden. Self-published by Allen Levi, this imaginative novel takes us to the small southern city of Golden, Georgia, where the Theo of the title begins a mission of anonymous kindness. The book explores themes of generosity, connection, and the quiet miracles of human kindness. Member Barbara Hoppin will lead the discussion.

​

Copies of the book are on reserve at the Peaks Island Library and can be found in bookstores and online. For questions, contact Barbara Hoppin at bahoppin@aol.com

THE DEVELOPMENT OF EMPATHY IN TEENAGERS: Tuesday, August 4 at 7 PM

Professor of Psychological Science at Vassar College Abigail Baird will give a talk on how empathy develops the importance of encouraging it in the teen years. Professor Baird’s research examines the brain and behavioral basis of adolescent development. Her work examines the ways in which social, emotional, cognitive, and brain-based factors drive the processes by which adolescents become adults.

​

TACKLING THE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS: Tuesday, August 11 at 7 PM

Co-Founder & Director of Global Initiatives for the Yellow Tulip Project Suzanne Fox will discuss tackling the youth mental health crisis through art, storytelling and gardens. The mission of the Yellow Tulip Project is “to smash the stigma surrounding mental illness and to build a community of people who realize that hope happens when youth and community leaders work together. We hope that someday mental illness will be as normal to talk about as any physical illness, and are fiercely dedicated to making this goal a reality.”