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In 2021, we ask readers to discover how one finds a passion for nature and explore what can become of that spark.

The Home Place book cover

We are thrilled to announce our featured book The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature by J. Drew Lanham. Birds are a lifelong passion for Lanham, and in The Home Place, he also examines his personal history and struggles. Readers follow his journey as a successful wildlife ecologist who along the way uncovers lessons about legacy and his own need to inject a deeper sense of human caring into his life and work.

“A ground-breaking work about race and the American landscape.”

—Helen MacDonald, author of H is for Hawk

Ruby's Birds book cover

For our youngest readers we have selected Ruby’s Birds by Mya Thompson. In this delightful story, a little girl discovers her spark–birds–in her own city neighborhood. They enliven her world and excite her about nature. Her own journey begins.

“A good story, perfect for bird lovers and likely to entice the uninitiated.”

—Kirkus Reviews

Read one (or both!) of these books with us. Share with your family and friends. Start a discussion. Engage in one of the many events throughout the region from March to May 2021.

Follow us @LongwoodGardens and share your ideas using the hashtag #CommunityRead.