Benny on the Case, A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies, and Inharmonious are Neighbor-to-Neighbor’s books of note for October. This literature intends to expand our awareness, theology and/or acceptance of diverse viewpoints. We hope you’ll discover how these writings from various generations embrace what it means to be human and to walk in spirit.
Benny on the Case by King, Wesley
Benny lives in a retirement home that his mother runs, he has an eighty-six-year-old best friend named Mr. Tom, and he has Mosaic Down syndrome. When Benny transitions to a mainstream classroom, the other students tease him, except for Salma, who speaks Arabic, plays basketball, and isn't afraid to eat lunch with Benny. When Salma's grandmother and several other residents in the retirement home are robbed, Benny asks Salma to help him catch the thief. For grades 3-6.
A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies by Casas, Bartolomé de las
In 1542, this missionary priest wrote an indictment against European exploitation and mistreatment of the native peoples of the New World. The document was published in 1552. It carries all the urgency of a moment in history when it still seemed possible to reverse the tide.
Inharmonious by Huf, Tammye
When three young Black men enlist in the US Army, their lives are forever changed. Able to pass as white, Benny reports for duty only to realize he's been mistakenly enlisted as a white man in a racially segregated military. Lee has been friends with Benny ever since he was a troubled teenager. Meanwhile, family friend Roscoe offers to marry Cora to ensure that she and her mother -- who both remain home -- will be provided for should Benny not make it back. Benny does return, but his new white identity leaves him struggling to find his place in between. As America promises postwar prosperity to white veterans through the GI Bill, black soldiers are excluded.
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