In Northern Ontario there is currently a suicide crisis going on. In the small first nations community of Attawapiskat there are young adults taking their own live or making pacts to do so in groups. I am of the opinion that libraries and people with used books could save lives and would love to see more libraries come together and help these troubled teens.
I had a bit of a troubled teen life myself, but nothing compared to what these kids are going through. I got through it with good family, friends, and books. I spent much of my time in high school reading. I found it to be a way to escape whatever was bothering me at the time and believe it could be helpful to others in a situation like what is going on up north.
I propose anyone reading this please contact your library about sending a book (or five) to Attawapiskat. If a lot of people and libraries did this we could build a sort of library/book exchange up there and give these kids something to keep them occupied, encourage them to read, and possibly find hope in the pages of a novel.
Libraries can save lives…books can be the answer…or inspiration for children to continue to fight the sense of hopelessness and lonelyness that many people suffer through. I urge people to reach out to these kids and pay that old book forward…it brought joy and hope to you once, let it continue to work its magic on others.
UWO M.L.I.S 