American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
RESTRICTED TO STUDENTS GOING INTO GRADE 11 & 12
"Selling two favourite books to an unexpectedly erudite drug-cartel boss, a bookstore manager is forced to flee Mexico in the wake of her journalist husband’s tell-all profile and finds her family among thousands of migrants seeking hope in America." |
Head of Head of Mackenzie House Ms. Kimberly Dejardins sponsors Thrive which is a student group that focusses on Social Emotional Initiatives. In her free time, she likes to mountain bike, ski, hike with her dog, read, and cook.
She prefers historical fiction but chose this book because: "American Dirt is immersing. You feel like you are there - running for your life. It's quite graphic at times so makes you face up to some of the atrocities of those in power which in this case is often drug cartels as well as the American government. The story makes you think about the disadvantage you would face as a fleeing migrant depending on your citizenship, ethnicity, gender, sex, stage of life, etc. It also asks you to ponder your own morals and ethics - who would you stop to help if it meant risking your privilege and freedom?" |
Fox 8 by George Saunders
"Idealistic Fox 8's ability to communicate in "Yuman" cannot save his pack when their den and food supply are destroyed to build a mall, so he writes a letter asking for an explanation of human's cruelty."
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Mr. Clayton Fox teaches Science 10, Science 10 E, Geology 12, AP Biology and sponsors the Bouldering Club. In his free time, he loves to do anything that gets him outside!
Of this novel, he says: "This book is really fun to read! It is short, darkly humorous, inventive in its use of language, and forces us to consider the consequences of human expansion (but from a fox's perspective)." |
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
"A man with a secret rare condition that has enabled him to survive for centuries moves to London to become a high-school history teacher and considers defying his protective guardians' rule against falling in love when he becomes entranced by a captivating colleague."
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Dance teacher, Ms. Cara Tench can often be found behind the lens expressing her creativity through her passion for photography. Her favourite genre is historical fiction.
Of her choice, Ms. Tench says: "I quite enjoy the work of this author!" |
Norwegian Wood with by Haruki Murakami
RESTRICTED TO STUDENTS GOING INTO GRADE 11 & 12
"Toru Watanabe, a quiet and preternaturally serious young college student in Tokyo, is devoted to Naoko, a beautiful and introspective young woman, but their mutual passion is marked by the tragic death of their best friend years before. Toru begins to adapt to campus life and the loneliness and isolation he faces there, but Naoko finds the pressures and responsibilities of life unbearable. As she retreats further into her own world, Toru finds himself reaching out to others and drawn to a fiercely independent young woman." |
Mr. Andrew Cantarutti teaches Humanities 9 and coaches Senior Girls Soccer, Senior Boys Soccer, Grade 8/9 Boys Soccer, and Grade 8 Boys Basketball. Of his free time, Mr. Cantarutti says: "Can you have too many hobbies? Probably, because I think I might. I'm an avid cyclist, runner, and swimmer (yes, that's triathlon, smarty pants). I play soccer, ski, and will generally say yes to any athletic activity. I'm always trying to improve my photography skills, I read whenever I get the chance, and sometimes that inspires me to write a few of my own creative words on a blank page. But beyond all else, my primary muse is travel."
So why choose this book? "Murakami is a master of illustrating beauty in simplicity. His writing is accessible, resonant, and a joy to lose oneself in. Norwegian Wood plays on one of my favourite emotions: nostalgia. It is, at once, jubilant and agonizing. Murakami taps into this sensation like no other, producing a modern, cross-cultural masterpiece." |
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
"Viewed with suspicion in the aftermath of a tragedy, a beautiful hermit who has survived for years in a marsh becomes targeted by unthinkable forces."
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Dean of Student Life and Leadership Ms. Samantha Weiss coaches Girls Rugby and sponsors Encounter. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with family and friends, preferably in the outdoors.
Ms. Weiss is a fan of biographies. 
Chemistry teacher Mr. James Ravensbergen sponsors the Alpine Team and Science Club. In his free time, he likes to read; mystery and thriller are his favourite genres.
So why select this book? "I had just finished the book, and really enjoyed the writing, and was interested to see what others thought about it." 
Explore and Leadership 11 teacher Ms. Laura Alonzo sponsors the Geography Club. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, kayaking and gardening. Her favourite genre is historical fiction.
So why pick this book? "I haven't read this book before, but I have have heard good things. I also think this book has the potential to appeal to a wide audience, with its combination of murder mystery, lush nature writing, romance and a coming-of-age survival story." |