Last year, Cville OneBook raised more than $10,000 to purchase copies of Angie Thomas’ novel, The Hate U Give, for young adult readers around Central Virginia. Since then, it has been amazing watching Starr’s story and it’s impact on Charlottesville: speakers have visited local high schools, we’ve seen artwork inspired by the story, and we even worked with Hold the Line Magazine to facilitate a theater buyout to see the film, with local shop Grit Coffee hosting a discussion and reflection afterwards.

It has been incredible to see this story build bridges and spark conversation in the Charlottesville community, but our work isn’t finished yet. St. Anne’s-Belfield School is proud to be a Cville OneBook community partner, and this week we’ll be hosting an interactive event for young adults to gather and learn how to turn their fears and frustrations into valuable skills for having worthwhile, open-minded discussion.

On Thursday, November 8th on the St. Anne’s-Belfield Learning Village campus, Laura Robertson will facilitate conversations with readers based on student-created discussion questions from the novel. Using The Hate U Give as a guiding text, students will gain tools to help them have productive conversations based on the issues written about in the novel.

Laura Robertson is the co-teacher of the Issues of Race, Gender, and Social Justice intensive at the Upper School. Robertson is an award-winning educator that speaks nationally about teaching the Humanities, and connecting teachers from different sectors. She holds a Masters in English/American Studies from the University of Virginia and is a reader, writer, and a mother of four. Robertson currently serves as the Dean of Faculty Development for the St. Anne’s-Belfield Upper School.

I hope that you’ll join us for an event that is sure to make an impact. Readers young adult and older are welcome. This event is open to the entire Charlottesville community, not just St. Anne’s-Belfield students and faculty. Dinner will be provided to all participants.