Dear Editor:
In January, our book club (dubbed "The Mighty Moms" - a group of moms originally from Buckingham Elementary) read From Bombs to Books: The remarkable stories of refugee children and their families at an exceptional Canadian school, by principal David Starr, and felt compelled to write to the Burnaby NOW to thank you for bringing this book to our attention.
I had read about the book in the paper, happened to be in Chapters shortly thereafter and bought a copy for my 16-year-old daughter and my mom for Christmas.
Then it was my turn to choose the next book club book so it seemed like a good choice. I can honestly say that this is the first of 14 book choices that was unanimously enjoyed by our book club!
The stories of courage, perseverance, determination and sacrifice were moving, educational, enlightening and humanistic - as well as motivational.
And the hope that is exemplified in every story - that alone is an amazing legacy. Each of us has started looking at our broader community in a new and interesting light. We are asking how we can contribute in a meaningful way, and the seed has been planted to look for ways to support families in our communities who have sacrificed so much to build a better life, and the schools and staff who so selflessly work with them.
It is our hope that the spreading of these stories will promote compassion and understanding.
Thank you to David Starr and all of the participants for sharing such personal and eye-opening experiences. We would like to encourage Burnaby NOW readers to buy and read this book. We hope that you will be as amazed and inspired as we are.
Dana Juba, Burnaby
