LA Upstander: Facing History Student Leadership Club "See No Stranger" Book Club

Group Members:  Brenda F., Marian C., Melody L., and Rosabel A.

Students from the Facing History Student Leadership Group participated in a statewide inter-school book club, which focused on collectively studying Valarie Kaur’s memoir, See No Stranger. Kaur explores the theme of “revolutionary love” throughout her book, and the students were able to not only read and discuss the book in great detail with students and adults from San Jose and Oakland, but they also wrote lessons for the group. The See No Stranger Book Club, made up of Melody L., Brenda F., Rosabel A., Marian C.,  served as student leaders throughout the school year, welcoming additional students into the group. They were even fortunate enough to meet Ms. Kaur and participate in a one-hour book talk with her. Ms. Kaur expressed how the students inspired and motivated her.

The impact of the students’ participation in the book club was both personal and public. They were able to share key learnings and ideas with students from both Southern and Northern California, from various ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds. They were able to stretch themselves as learners and leaders, and they were able to impact the collective culture of all three schools.

This book club was a new activity for the Facing History students at all three California schools. The students gained confidence, took risks, and learned to own and express their individual and collective voices. They also made new friends, which is an added bonus!