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In a right-handed world, those of us who aren't have to look a little harder to find books that represent our experience. So, in celebration of Left Handers Day (August 13), here are some options for veering to the left in your reading choices.

Here's some of our great, left-handed library staff!


Compiled by:
Paula G. O.
Dragon Ball. 3-in-1. Volume 12 : 34, 35, 36

Akira Toriyama
Graphic Novels - Toriyam
Series: Shonen Jump manga

This particular title in the Dragonball series introduces Videl, a left-handed student who is the daughter of Lucifer.  Videl's character definitely plays on the stereotype that left handedness comes from evil sources.  This is a manga title that reads from back to front and right to left as it would in the original Japanese.


The Drawing of the Three

Stephen King
Adult Fiction - King
Series: King, Stephen, 1947- Dark tower ; 2.

This isn't the first book in the Dark Tower series, but it is the part of the story where the main character, Roland Deschain, is forced to become a lefty gunslinger.  The lobstrosities are gruesome to say the least.  There's a Dark Tower movie out, but for the full experience, you should read the books.


Flanders' book of faith

Matt Groening
Adult Nonfiction - 791.4572 Gro
Series: Simpsons library of wisdom

Ned Flanders is a lefty and this book gives us Ned's views on a host of topics, everything from home schooling to church vs. state.  A selection of items from the Leftorium, Ned's store of left-handed products, are included in this tome.  You might also want to check out The Simpsons. The complete third season for the episode, When Flanders Failed, which features the Leftorium.


A Game of Thrones

George R. R. Martin
Science Fiction & Fantasy - SF Martin
Series: Martin, George R. R. Song of ice and fire ; 1.

Arya Stark is left-handed which is brought out in the story as she learns sword fighting techniques.  Additionally, Jamie Lannister becomes left-handed out of dire necessity.  If you still haven't read this series, now you can read it while thinking about how the lefties fared in Westeros. 


Lefty : An American Odyssey

Vernona Gomez
Adult Nonfiction - 796.35792 Gomez Gom

Lefty Gomez played baseball in the same era as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio and was a great pitcher for the New York Yankees.  He had many accomplishments in his career, including starting and winning the first ever All-Star Game and being the first pitcher to be on the cover of Time magazine.  This book gives the full story of his baseball playing years and his often star-studded life beyond baseball.


The Legend of Zelda. [1] : Ocarina of Time, Part 1

Akira Himekawa
Juvenile Graphic Novels - J Himekaw
Series: Legend of Zelda

Most of us are familiar with Zelda from various video games.  The main character, Link, is left handed.  You can read about his adventures in the manga, starting with the Ocarina of Time.  Manga read right to left, back to front, so they often feel more natural to lefties that want to flip through them.


The Magic of M.C. Escher

M. C. Escher
Adult Nonfiction - 769.92 Esc

Escher took perspective to a whole new level in his art and maybe being left-handed contributed to the uniqueness of his body of work.  This book discusses the artist's life and works and offers prints of some of his best-known pieces, unpublished drawings, the artist's own commentary, and additional observations.


The Marshmallow Incident

Judi Barrett
Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Bar

This picture book tells the story of a Left town and a Right town divided by a yellow line patrolled by the Knights of the Ambidextrous Order.  After a battle with marshmallows gets out of hand, both towns realize that the yellow line divider is silly.  It is great to see so many left-handed people in one story.


The Name of the Wind : The Kingkiller Chronicle : Day One

Patrick Rothfuss
Science Fiction & Fantasy - SF Rothfus
Series: Rothfuss, Patrick, 1973- Kingkiller chronicles ; 1.

This is the coming of age story of Kvothe.  He is a musician, thief, magician and more.  From various book covers in the series, it appears that he wields a sword with his left hand.  A wonderful fantasy world with detailed characters.


Outlander

Diana Gabaldon
Adult Fiction - Gabaldo
Series: Gabaldon, Diana. Outlander novels ; 1.

A woman, Claire, from 1945 travels back in time to 1743 Scotland which is experiencing war and border clan raids.  She was just back with her husband in 1945 at the end of World War II, but finds herself falling for someone else, James, in 1743.  James happens to be left-handed in this historical romance with a time-travel twist.


The Recruit

Robert Muchamore
Young Adult Fiction - Y Muchamo
Series: Muchamore, Robert. CHERUB Series 1 ; 1.

James is recruited into CHERUB, a secret division of MI5 which consists of teenage spies.  He is also a lefty.  This first book in the series covers his recruitment, grueling training and first mission.


Righty and Lefty : a Tale of Two Feet

Rachel Vail
Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Vai

A cute story about Lefty and Righty, two feet belonging to the same person.  The story tells how the must get along and play together even when they don't always want to.  Lefty seems to be a bit more obstinate in this story than Righty, but overall both feet are portrayed in a positive way.


Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There

Lewis Carroll
Juvenile Fiction - J Carroll
Series: Puffin Classics

Carroll may have been a suppressed left-hander and was quite good at writing text as a mirror image.  His imaginings Through the Looking Glass certainly play on handedness and mirror images throughout the story.


Your Left-Handed Child : Making Things Easy for Left-Handers in a Right-Handed World

Lauren Milsom
Adult Nonfiction - 152.335 Mil

If you have left-handed child, this is a valuable resource in helping your child navigate a world made for those using their right hand.  It includes tips and tricks about writing, tying shoes, working with tools, and more.  I'm left handed and so are two of my children and I still learned some helpful tips from this book.