Scarborough

By: Catherine Hernandez

Narrated by: Catherine Hernandez

In Scarborough, a low-income urban neighborhood, three kids struggle to rise above poverty, abuse, and a system that consistently fails them. The adults in their lives either rise to the occasion or fall by the wayside; together, they make up a troubled yet inspired community that refuses to be undone.

©2017 Catherine Hernandez (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Every teacher needs type read this

😁 such diversity and complexity in this tragic hopeful and sometimes funny book. I’ll be following Catherine Hernandez forever.

Beautifully Written, Heart wrenching

I stumbled on this book via tiktok because the dedication brought me to tears: "I was fifteen, you were four. I taught you drama in a Scarborough community center. You were surviving neglect. Wherever you are, I hope you are safe, and know that I loved you enough to write you this book."

Best book I've read all year. It is read by the author. Not a single dull moment, such a beautifully written book.

Difficult but excellent!

Well written. Bings into the open a whole lot of truths we too often ignore wherever we live. Congratulations to the author for setting them in print and audio.

Excellent

Found myself planning walks in that community to landmark those referenced in the story. Very moving story.

I’m breathless. This is a treasure. And I’m changed by it.

From the beginning to the end Scarborough has left me caressing every character wanting not to assume their stories but hear their experience - that of homelessness of single parents and children in Scarborough, the East end of the Greater Toronto area in Canada.
Each voice woven in and out around a particular location has such a core authenticity, and gripping heart I will surely listen several times to this.
Catherine’s read of her work was so beautiful it’s hard to imagine she is an author and not a voice over actor (no offense to authors)

Lastly, I do hope this is added to high school curriculums for both its style regarding the use of different voices and structure, and it’s importance in bringing forth the importance of child poverty and homelessness in Canada.

feels like coming home

Having grown up in Scarborough, the familiar street namesand bus route numbers remind me of my school days. Having moved to mother Ontario, the Aborigonal culture references remind me of my new home as well. Great story, the illustrations of racism and acceptance were so real, and the victories, both great and small, so bittersweet.