CPL Presents: Dr. Beronda Montgomery, the author of When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America's Black Botanical History (Main)
Join Dr. Beronda L. Montgomery—writer, science communicator, and plant biologist—for a discussion of her new book, When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical History. (Henry Holt, 2026).
Dr. Montgomery has been recognized as one of Cell journal’s Inspiring Black Scientists in America and is the recipient of numerous honors, including the 2022 Cynthia Scott Science Writing Award, the 2022 Adolph E. Gude, Jr. Award for outstanding service to plant biology, and the 2023 Hutchinson Medal from the Chicago Horticultural Society. In 2025, she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring—the nation’s highest honor for mentors. Dr. Montgomery is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society of Plant Biologists, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the American Academy of Microbiology. Dr. Montgomery is also the 2025–2026 Sally Starling Seaver Fellow at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute. She is the author of Lessons from Plants (Harvard University Press, 2021) and When Trees Testify (Henry Holt, 2026). This event is cosponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation and Sustainability Cambridge. Registration is required.
Merlin Missions Book Group (O'Connell/Virtual)
Our Merlin Missions book group is for Magic Tree House fans ages 5-10 who are ready for these longer adventures about Jack and Annie! Check out a copy of the book beforehand, or download it from the Libby app.
Our November book is Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #13: Moonlight on the Magic Flute.
This book group will meet virtually and in person at the O'Connell Branch. Please register below if you would like to attend virtually. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event.
Need a laptop or hotspot to participate? Call the O'Connell Branch at 617-349-4019.
For questions about the Magic Tree House Book Club, please email cmeisler@cambridgema.gov.
Merlin Missions Book Group (O'Connell/Virtual)
Our Merlin Missions book group is for Magic Tree House fans ages 5-10 who are ready for these longer adventures about Jack and Annie! Check out a copy of the book beforehand, or download it from the Libby app.
Our April book is Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #7: Night of the New Magicians.
This book group will meet virtually and in person at the O'Connell Branch. Please register below if you would like to attend virtually. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event.
Need a laptop or hotspot to participate? Call the O'Connell Branch at 617-349-4019.
For questions about the Magic Tree House Book Club, please email cmeisler@cambridgema.gov.
Merlin Missions Book Group (O'Connell/Virtual)
Our Merlin Missions book group is for Magic Tree House fans ages 5-10 who are ready for these longer adventures about Jack and Annie! Check out a copy of the book beforehand, or download it from the Libby app.
Our August book is Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #10: Monday With a Mad Genius.
This book group will meet virtually and in person at the O'Connell Branch. Please register below if you would like to attend virtually. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event.
Need a laptop or hotspot to participate? Call the O'Connell Branch at 617-349-4019.
For questions about the Magic Tree House Book Club, please email cmeisler@cambridgema.gov.
Merlin Missions Book Group (O'Connell/Virtual)
Our Merlin Missions book group is for Magic Tree House fans ages 5-10 who are ready for these longer adventures about Jack and Annie! Check out a copy of the book beforehand, or download it from the Libby app.
Our September book is Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #11: Dark Day in the Deep Sea.
This book group will meet virtually and in person at the O'Connell Branch. Please register below if you would like to attend virtually. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event.
Need a laptop or hotspot to participate? Call the O'Connell Branch at 617-349-4019.
For questions about the Magic Tree House Book Club, please email cmeisler@cambridgema.gov.
Merlin Missions Book Group (O'Connell/Virtual)
Our Merlin Missions book group is for Magic Tree House fans ages 5-10 who are ready for these longer adventures about Jack and Annie! Check out a copy of the book beforehand, or download it from the Libby app.
Our December book is Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #16: A Ghost Tale For Christmas Time.
This book group will meet virtually and in person at the O'Connell Branch. Please register below if you would like to attend virtually. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event.
Need a laptop or hotspot to participate? Call the O'Connell Branch at 617-349-4019.
For questions about the Magic Tree House Book Club, please email cmeisler@cambridgema.gov.
Merlin Missions Book Group (O'Connell/Virtual)
Our Merlin Missions book group is for Magic Tree House fans ages 5-10 who are ready for these longer adventures about Jack and Annie! Check out a copy of the book beforehand, or download it from the Libby app.
Our June book is Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #9: Dragon of the Red Dawn.
This book group will meet virtually and in person at the O'Connell Branch. Please register below if you would like to attend virtually. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event.
Need a laptop or hotspot to participate? Call the O'Connell Branch at 617-349-4019.
For questions about the Magic Tree House Book Club, please email cmeisler@cambridgema.gov.
Merlin Missions Book Group (O'Connell/Virtual)
Our Merlin Missions book group is for Magic Tree House fans ages 5-10 who are ready for these longer adventures about Jack and Annie! Check out a copy of the book beforehand, or download it from the Libby app.
Our May book is Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #8: Blizzard of the Blue Moon.
This book group will meet virtually and in person at the O'Connell Branch. Please register below if you would like to attend virtually. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event.
Need a laptop or hotspot to participate? Call the O'Connell Branch at 617-349-4019.
For questions about the Magic Tree House Book Club, please email cmeisler@cambridgema.gov.
Merlin Missions Book Group (O'Connell/Virtual)
Our Merlin Missions book group is for Magic Tree House fans ages 5-10 who are ready for these longer adventures about Jack and Annie! Check out a copy of the book beforehand, or download it from the Libby app.
Our October book is Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #12: Eve of the Emperor Penguin.
This book group will meet virtually and in person at the O'Connell Branch. Please register below if you would like to attend virtually. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event.
Need a laptop or hotspot to participate? Call the O'Connell Branch at 617-349-4019.
For questions about the Magic Tree House Book Club, please email cmeisler@cambridgema.gov.
Knitting 101 (Main)
In this hands-on session, you’ll learn the basics of knitting, including how to cast on, do the knit stitch, and cast off. This pilot workshop is intended for people with no prior knitting experience.
All supplies will be provided!