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With copies of the 2018-19 Queen’s Reads novel being given out across campus as part of the university’s common reading program, local high school students will be reading last year’s book and exploring themes of identity, Indigenous culture, sexual violence and resilience.

Student Affairs has donated the last few hundred copies of The Break by Katherena Vermette for use by high school students.

“This significant donation of copies of The Break from Queen’s will provide our students with a valuable learning opportunity,” says Krishna Burra, Superintendent of Education, Schools and Program, Limestone District School Board. “Grade 11 students will be taking the English course Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Voices in all program pathways, and many schools will use this book as part of class book clubs for further exploration and discussion with peers.”

This year’s Queen’s Reads book is Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez. It tells the interconnected stories of members of a culturally diverse Scarborough neighbourhood, including recent immigrants, Indigenous Peoples, single parents, and children.

There is a documentary screening and panel discussion planned, ‘reading nooks’ across campus, a blog, an author event with Hernandez in November, and discussion groups throughout the fall and winter.

"We are so excited local high school students will also be reading The Break this year,” says Woo Kim, Manager, Student Experience Office. “Queen’s Reads has proven to be a great community-building program that provides opportunities for our community to engage in a meaningful way with important topics and themes. We look forward to rolling out this year’s program with Scarborough across campus.”

Learn more about Queen’s Reads.