Live author reading of Yara’s Spring with KFPL

The Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL) is hosting a live Zoom event – a reading of Yara’s Spring with authors Jamal Saeed and Sharon E. McKay.

Inspired by Jamal Saeed’s own experiences in Syria, this book shows the hardships of war and relocation through the eyes of Yara, whose life is tragically interrupted by violence during the Arab Spring. According to a release from KFPL, Yara’s Spring can educate and build understanding within communities as Canada provides an opportunity to start over.

“Jamal and I worked together in the past with such events as Refugee Voices and the Human Library. It’s great that he and Sharon came together to create Yara’s Spring. Yara represents a group of young people hoping for a bright future after war and tragedy. This story is one way their experiences can be explored and understood,” said Jake Miller, Programming and Outreach Librarian.

Jamal Saeed worked as a writer in Syria and Canada, and Sharon E. McKay is a writer of young adult fiction and served on the board of the National Reading Committee.

The event will take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, and is suggested for children 11 years and older. Register on the KFPL events page.

Read more on Jamal Sayeed, his family, and their journey to Canada in previous Kingstonist coverage here and here.