Teen fiction writer Cheryl Rainfield will talk about her book, Scars, a 2010 finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Children’s Literature and billed as edgy, realistic and hopeful.
The event will take place Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 12:30pm in 135 Vanier College, Keele campus. It is presented by the Office of the Master, Vanier College, and the Children’s Studies Program in the Department of Humanities, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Scars (WestSide Books, 2010), an American Library Association Top 10 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, is a novel that follows 15-year-old Kendra, who self-harms to deal with the sexual abuse she endured from a young age and the fear she feels now. She has only recently started to remember that abuse, but she still can’t remember who abused her. At the same time, she feels as if someone is always watching and following her, and is frightened.
Her cutting is a secret she keeps from her family, friends and therapist, but it’s her way of coping. In addition, Kendra meets Meghan, who may be 
more than just a friend, but a romantic interest. But the truth of her abuse is still waiting to come out, along with the consequences.
Cheryl Rainfield
It is a novel aimed at a young audience and for those who may be struggling with some of the same issues. Although it is a fictional story, it evolved out of Rainfield’s own experiences.
Rainfield will talk about those experiences of childhood trauma and the effect it had on her and those around her. It took her 10 years to get Scars published, but she hopes it will help others feel less alone. Rainfield’s most recent book, Hunted, a teen paranormal fantasy, was published in the United States in December and will be released by Fitzhenry & Whiteside this month in Canada.
For more information, contact Cheryl Cowdy at ccrawfor@yorku.ca or visit the Vanier College website.