This Book Of The Week is recommended by Annie Windholz, Library Technical Assistant at the North-East Branch of the Kansas City Public Library.

Annie chose “Kindred” By Octavia E. Butler.

“Not a fan of historical fiction? Me neither,” Annie said. “However, a little time travel can help shake up a story and make history seem more accessible. In “Kindred,” award winning science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler takes readers from present day back to the antebellum South. The main character Dana is a Black woman living in California in the 1970s until suddenly she is brought back to Maryland in the 1800s. As Dana struggles to adapt to her new circumstances, she meets her early ancestors in horrific slavery conditions. While this book tells a history that is violent and disturbing, it is a history that still has deep repercussions on U.S. life today. Read “Kindred” for a drama that grapples with the intersections of gender and race with a focus on family and survival.”

This recommendation is available for placing a hold as a physical or digital book through the Kansas City Public Library.