With annual Harbourfront celebrations not possible for Trinity College School students taking part in the White Pine reading program this year, we looked for a way to celebrate and connect with Canadian authors. How very fortunate we were to host a virtual conversation with author Zalika Reid-Benta on the evening of May 4th. Ms. Reid-Benta read from her White Pine Award-nominated book, Frying Plantain, and answered questions from an audience made up of some members of the White Pine reading group and some members of the Black Student Alliance – it was a wonderful opportunity to join together.

A self-professed born writer, Ms. Reid-Benta spoke about honing her craft in Grade 12 Writer’s Craft and at university. “Learning about writing structure and how to take criticism is key,” she said. She worked on this book, her first, over 10 years, setting the stories in Toronto’s Little Jamaica. The stories resonated with all readers, and particularly those from the Islands. As one student said, “It makes me feel like I’m sitting in my Grammy’s house.”

Thank you to students and staff for their thoughtful questions; it was an animated and fascinating conversation, including a passionate debate about chicken curry versus curry chicken!

- By Ms. Shelagh Straughan, Senior School librarian