Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits--smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.
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Ms. Kyla Chau teaches English 12, Humanities 8, and Composition 11/AP Seminar and coaches Debate and Public Speaking. Her hobbies include cooking, watching documentaries, and singing. She enjoys reading fiction, fantasy, and shoujo manga.
Why should students select this book: "This is an awesome YA romance that will leave readers wanting more. It has references to 80's music, comic books, and cheesy martial arts movies, all tied up with the drama of young love and challenging home lives." |
Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez
The story of a tight-knit neighbourhood under fire: among them, Victor, a black artist harassed by the police; Winsum, a West Indian restaurant owner struggling to keep it together; and Hina, a Muslim school worker who witnesses first-hand the impact of poverty on education.
And then there are the three kids who work to rise above a system that consistently fails them: Bing, a gay Filipino boy who lives under the shadow of his father's mental illness; Sylvie, Bing's best friend, a Native girl whose family struggles to find a permanent home to live in; and Laura, whose history of neglect by her mother is destined to repeat itself with her father. |
Ms. Sharon Vanderlinden teaches Key 8, Math 8, and Science 8. In her free time: "I love to knit, explore Vancouver and Vancouver Island, and spend time with my family." Her favourite genres are crime fiction and realistic fiction.
Ms. Karen Birchenall teaches Humanities 8, Key 8 and10, and Math 9; she also sponsors Netball and ASL taster sessions. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, swimming and a love of reading. Her favourite genre is historical fiction, "but really anything that relaxes or teaches me (depending in my mood)."
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Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
In this story about the perils of popularity, the courage of nonconformity, and the thrill of first love, an eccentric student named Stargirl changes Mica High School forever.
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University Guidance counselor, Ms. Rachel Davidson enjoys painting, photography, self-publishing books and zines. She enjoys reading poetry: "It transports me to another world where every word has meaning and beauty."
Why should students read this book: "Have you ever felt weird, like you didn't belong? You might be surprised to know this feeling is more common than you think; in fact, this is how you know you're a teen! Stargirl does an amazing job of exploring the ups and downs of school popularity, and can give everyone hope that there's power – and even joy – in acting according to your values and standing out from the crowd." |
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim
Anna Chiu has her hands pretty full looking after her brother and sister and helping out at her dad's restaurant, all while her mum stays in bed. Dad's new delivery boy, Rory, is a welcome distraction and even though she knows that things aren't right at home, she's starting to feel like she could just be a normal teen. But when Mum finally gets our of bed bed, things go from bad to worse. And as Mum's condition worsens, Anna and her family question everything they understand about themselves and each other.
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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.
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