From the Library
Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Our recent Mad Hatter's Tea Party was a riot of riddles, reading and remarkable headwear! Members of the secondary school book club - Books & Bites dove into a Wonderland of literary fun, celebrating the bookish event of the year with tea, tales and a twist of trivia. As Lewis Carroll wrote, “It’s always tea time,” — and this one was packed with puzzles and laughter.
The dress code? “Most Outrageous Hat” — and some of the boys truly stole the show with creations that would make the Mad Hatter himself tip his brim in admiration. From shark heads to a Christmas tree chaos, the hats were as wild as the stories shared.
Stay tuned for the next adventure!
Coming soon: Lauries Literature Legends—a bold new book club adventure for boys in Grades 5 & 6! Get ready to dive into epic stories, crack clever book-themed challenges and become a true legend of the page. Whether you're a seasoned reader or just discovering your literary superpowers, this club is your next great chapter.
Reflections on the Coming-of-Age Novel
From The Picture of Dorian Gray to The Hate U Give, the coming-of-age novel — also known as a Bildungsroman — has long captivated readers, especially teenagers. These narratives follow a young person's journey from innocence to experience, often through trials that shape their values, beliefs and sense of self. But why do these narratives resonate so deeply with adolescents? The teenage years are a time of intense self-discovery. Young people are navigating questions like Who am I? What do I believe? Where do I fit in? Literature that reflects these internal struggles can be incredibly powerful. When teens read about characters who are facing similar challenges — whether it’s finding their voice, questioning authority or learning to stand up for what they believe — they often feel seen, validated,and inspired.
Recent research shows that stories play a key role in shaping what psychologists call narrative identity — the internal story we tell about who we are and where we’re going. When teens engage with literature that explores identity, they’re not just reading — they’re actively constructing their own sense of self. Books like The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, Aristotle and Last Night I Sang to the Monster by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and The Giver by Lois Lowry offer more than just compelling plots—they provide models of growth, resilience and self-discovery.
Importantly, many of the novels selected for study in English classrooms are chosen with this developmental journey in mind. These texts often reflect the challenges and questions teens are already grappling with, making them not only educational but personally meaningful. For example, our Year 9 students are currently wrapping up their novel studies on The Hunger Games, The Outsiders, and The Maze Runner — all rich examples of coming-of-age literature that prompt reflection on identity, courage, and belonging. As parents, encouraging your teen to read coming-of-age literature can be a meaningful way to support their emotional and intellectual development. These books offer a safe space to explore big questions, build empathy, and imagine possibilities. Whether your child is an avid reader or just beginning to find their literary voice, stories that reflect their inner world can be transformative.
So next time your teen picks up a novel about growing up, know that they’re doing more than reading — they’re learning how to become themselves.