PoemsBook ReviewThe Queen of the Tearling Author: Erika JohansenGenre: FantasyRating: 5/5 starsBy: Lisa A.

SynopsisKelsea Raleigh is an eighteen-year old princess, who was sent away by her mother, the Queen, to live with foster parents in order to protect her from those who wanted to harm her. Now that Kelsea is eighteen years old, she must return back to her kingdom to take her place on the throne of the Tearling. But the battle to regain control of her kingdom is not an easy one. Kelsea will have to face her greedy uncle, dubious men of power within the kingdom, assassins, religious leaders, and the mysterious threat of the Queen of Mortmesne (a rumoured witch who rules the neighbouring kingdom through fear and

magic and to whom the people of the Tearling are indebted to.)

This book was definitely a very interesting read. First of all, the setting of the story is very intriguing. It’s set in a future world, where the people have lost all their medical and technological advances and now regressed back to the Middle Ages. However, even though there is no technology, magic plays a major role in the story, especially with the main character, Kelsea.

Kelsea is a very tenacious character. From the very beginning of the book, you can tell that she is very strong-willed and committed to her goals. She is a fighter, which is something she definitely needs to survive the minefield that she has stepped on. Her kingdom is damaged and broken from her mother and uncle’s bad rulership. Kelsea re-enters the Tearling, with the goal of fixing the mess, and because of that, she makes enemies of people who have previously been accustomed to exploiting the system.

Despite her intense personality (or maybe because of it), Kelsea manages to gather a handful of loyal friends and protectors. I especially like Mace (Kelsea’s Chief of Guard) and Penn (her bodyguard). They are dedicated to Kelsea’s physical wellbeing, but they also act as friends when she needs advice.

The Queen of the Tearling is an action-packed novel with many unexpected twists and turns that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Erika Johansen spins a tale of magic and intrigue that will stay with you long after you have finished reading the book.

A Dead Man's Wish

Laughter, Merriment;Thrilled all-over.Joy blooms, youth yields...Joyful slumbers as years progressed;Lively chats,Greenery aroundLove to thee-Shall make me Free

Though did so little this happen.

Breezes came, breezes went;Joyful Merriments did also Repent,to Death they Shall-Surrender.

Hard-to-Believethis moment can bewhen hope is shattered;when Devastated, I am for thee.

Never did come life until I learned to striveStrive for Betrayal and a Man's Shrine

But I will come again,and endure such painPain for my Nation and its Scornful Vain

By: Gurleen Garcha

Emotional Release

Sat at the round table, his finger adorned withblack diamond, opaqueconsuming, devouringPeachessweet, sweet, sweetbittersweet,now…bitterthis embittered coreI can bear no more

silent nights, heavy breathingglowing embers, flames, cackling crackling dancingenveloping warmthvermillion, yellow amber, blazing searing hot whiteIncandescent

Fractured light through the tempered glass window pane.Or is it…vane?

atop the windowsill sits a singular red rose, sub rosastem stained with bloodpricked by the thornssanguine vein, must’ve felt pain

shards of glass‘neath my little feetrunning now, sprinting, flyingfeet covered in lacerations, bleeding freely

throw open the wrought iron gatesthe heavens are igniteda meteor showera conflagration of the skyfacem ducens multaEmblazoned Libertatem

By Lisa A.

Holiday Crossword

Down  

2. The first day of winter is considered to be on the Winter ____3. The ______ is the December Birth Flower.4. Some say there are as many as __________ correct ways to spell Hanukkah.5. The Pancha Ganapati is a five-day _____ festival.7. There are many different theories regarding the origin of the song "______ Bells", including being made for Thanksgiving, and sleigh rides.8. No-one is sure how _____ day started or how it got its name.11. is observed from December 26th to January 1st, a non-religious holiday that celebrates African-American cult

Across

1. The word "Christmas" is from the Old English phrase "Christ's _______".4. The name "Kwanzaa" comes from a ________ phrase meaning "first fruits".6. The word "holiday" comes from an Old English word that means "____ day".9. During the month of ______ alone, there are over 13 festivals going on around the world.10. The name of Hanukkah derives from the Hebrew word which means "to ________".12. The average time a ______ tree takes to grow is 7 years.13. based on the Jewish calendar, is a wandering holiday.

Editor’s Note: Supervisor: Mrs. Marciano Editor-in-Chief: Hooria KatalManaging Editor: Sanghavi Sripathy Senior Copy Editors: Lisa Afundu & Mariyam SalhiaJunior Copy Editors: Insiya Moosavi & Kanu Kanwar

-The HB Voice Team

A Different TuneBy Hiya Goyal

Many people already know of popular music like “Locked Away” by R. City ft. Adam Levine, “Sorry” by Justin Bieber, “The Hills” from The Weeknd, “Levels” by Nick Jonas and other songs on the U.S. Billboard’s Hot 100. Now get prepared for an inside look at even more music to jam out to!

POP● Britain’s Sweethearts, Little Mix have just released their new R&B pop

album “Get Weird” featuring the songs “Black Magic” and “Love Me Like You Do”. Little Mix member, Perrie Edwards, has an especially passionate voice despite her recent “fallout” with ex One Direction member, Zayn Malik.

● 5 Seconds of Summer, also known as 5SOS, has a new album, which is already at #1 on the Billboard. It’s called Sounds Good Feel Good featuring the songs, “She’s Kinda Hot” and “Jet Black Heart”, mainly vocalized by the gorgeous band member- Luke Hemmings.

● Keep your eyes - or should we say ears - out for these albums as well. Revival by Selena Gomez, Beauty Behind the Madness by the Weeknd, and the self-named album, Pentatonix by one of the most well-renowned a cappella groups in the industry.

RAP● Rap artists Drake and Future have joined forces to create an amazing new

album. October’s Very Own had been striving for the top this year. If you liked If You’re Reading this You’re Too Late and Future’s DS2 then you’ll love Drake and Future’s What a Time to be Alive.

● Other albums to keep an ear out for- “Roots” by Eminem; the real Slim Shady himself, “Maybach Team” by Meek Mill, “Dark Sky Paradise” by Big Sean and “Fetty Wap” by Fetty Wap.ALTERNATIVE

● Marianas Trench is back with Astoria, a 17-track album featuring the title track “Astoria”, as well as “One Love” and “Burning Up”. It’s a change in tune when compared to the familiar heavy metal aspect of their music.

● Panic! At the Disco is releasing a new album in early 2016. It’s all very “hush-hush” right now, but we know that it has the title tracks “Death of a Bachelor” and “Victorious”.

● Though it has been a while since its release date, Fall Out Boy’s album American Psycho/American Beauty has been a punk rocker favourite. The songs “Irresistible” and “Jet Pack Blues” are definitely a must-listen-to.

● All dubsteppers out there should certainly find the time to listen to Blackburner by Planet Earth Attack. Madness by Sleeping with Sirens has a great new variety of songs that differ from their previous albums. Linkin Park’s Living Things is also a great listen.

And this is all just a droplet in an ocean of songs out there! All you have to do is keep your ear out for your kind of tide.

How to Live Life at Ease

Due to the many tasks that we have to complete on a daily basis, our stress levels rise and our mood deflates, resulting in frustration and anxiety. Yoga is one of the many effective ways to reduce your stress level and boost your self-esteem. If you wish to live a life with merriment, this article is

definitely for you. Yoga is a discipline and philosophy derived from ancient India between the

fifth-sixth century BCE. It is recognized to heal your spiritual, emotional, and physical being by the practice of over a hundred thousand asana (poses), which focus on your breathing rate and mind. According to many researchers and scientists, yoga has a powerful impact on the healing of mental disorders and unmanaged stress. In fact, mental disorders and unmanaged stress are often at the root of chronic disorders, as these problems often come from one's inconsistent breathing rate and complex thoughts. Yoga is a very effective remedy, which heals various predicaments.

Furthermore, yoga is a type of lifestyle that has many practitioners worldwide. This type of lifestyle is known to have endless benefits as it lowers stress and improves your mood. As many are aware, yoga increases your flexibility and muscle strength. It also maintains a steady blood pressure, improves posture, and increases lung capacity. This meditation is also known to reduce obesity and it helps to maintain a calm and joyful environment, providing you with a positive mindset, which provokes you to focus on the present moment.

Beyond the fact that yoga has a deep connection with psychology, scientists are not aware of how or why it is so beneficial. So why hesitate to posess such an enlighting

life? -- Grab your yoga mat and be part of the many who are delighted with this effective technique.

By: Gurleen Garcha

Get to Know Your Librarian!

Here at The Voice, we believe that it is important to recognize the dedication that the members of our school community put into our learning and growth as a school, and appreciate their efforts. And so, be sure to check our newspaper for various interviews with teachers, staff and students and get exclusive insight into the minds of these amazing individuals!

In this month’s edition of The Voice, we are going to introduce you to one of the most important members of our school community, our school’s head librarian, Mrs. Ross.

Why did you first decide to become a librarian? “I was an English teacher, so I have a degree in English, drama, and

those connect really well to library, because it’s all about the written word, and how to analyze them and bring them to life by drama. I spent just shy of 20 years as an English teacher, and I found that while I love English, because I have three children the marking and work-life balance wasn’t easy. Also, because I only have vision in one eye, it was starting to impact my quality of life. So, I looked around the school and thought, “What do my skills naturally lend themselves to? What are my other passions?” The library is what I came up with. It was a matter of finding a way to fulfill my passions, contribute to the school community, and still have a liveable life at home.”

What appeals to you about this position the most?“I love it because it’s constantly changing; there are always new books being published, new electronic resources, and new ideas. There is just so much to learn. The role is ever evolving and you can make it what you want. There are librarians in different schools, and in the public library system, and they all do the same job, but a different job- the role can be what you make it! I am constantly reading, and most of the time people think that it’s an old, boring job, but it’s bigger and more exciting than just sitting around in a stuffy room, surrounded by books. It’s open-ended and creative in a way which people don’t always understand.”

What do you think is the best part about your job?“I get to spend a lot of money on books. I get to go shopping with the board's money, and I get to buy books and more books, talk to authors and vendors, students, and make it all flow together. I get to connect kids, authors and writers with books.”

What do you think is the most difficult part of your job?“It’s mostly just getting people to see beyond the stereotype of what a library is, and what a librarian is. They expect me to wear my hair in a bun and just walk around shushing people, but a library is so much more than that. It is about books and stories, but also about a collaborative workspace. It’s about research and e-books; it’s about displaying student work, authors and presentations. So, I would say the biggest challenge is fighting the stereotype, not only with the students but also with the staff. I have a lot more to offer than just computers.”

What do you think is the role of the librarian in a school setting?

“I think I am the number one resource person for students and staff. My job is to bring in new stuff, and help teachers by collaborating and coming up with new ways of evaluating, assessing, researching, and putting things together. So, I see myself as the number one resource person, for everyone in the building.”

How would you promote reading to students and staff?“I have done lots of research, and it talks about keeping the collection current and staying on top of all the new and upcoming things. I keep the books looking new, because kids don’t really pick up a tattered looking book. I have to constantly go through my collection, weed out the old ones, and replace them if they are still in use. Just keeping things looking new and fresh. I am also very committed to bringing authors in, because I think when students actually hear the process of writing, and what an author is, it helps them to connect to the literature. Personally, I am in two book clubs. I review books for a magazine called ‘Best Books for Kids and Teens’. I am the chairperson for the Peel Non-fiction Committee. I try and promote reading by living it myself. For me it’s also about modelling reading behaviours, and the value that books bring into this world.”

Are you for or against libraries banning books?“Well, the Peel Board has a fairly active non-censorship policy, and I am very much in support of that, especially at the high school level. I agree, that perhaps at an elementary school level, you want to protect th e students from very difficult or hateful things. But, we are training you to be adults, and critical thinkers. How can you think critically if you are never exposed to something that questions your worldview? We can’t claim to teach about diversity, inclusiveness, religions, gender, sexual orientation and all of those things if we don’t have it in our library. If we didn’t have it in our library due to censorship, that would be an even bigger issue. So, I really embrace it. I really believe that the librarian must be the most open-minded person, because I have to have something for everyone. I need to have books that represent all worldviews, all world visions, and make everyone in this building feel included in this space. It doesn’t matter who they are or what they support. They must feel that they are valued and that their voice is important here. I can’t censor things depending on my own sensibilities, because that may mean that I am not including another valuable voice.”

How do you develop and maintain a library collection that meets the needs of students and staff?“I think it's an ongoing thing. The collection is almost an organic thing: it’s a living, breathing, moving thing. I have to nurture it to make sure it keeps living, breathing and moving. You have to be

respectful of trends. For example, when Twilight came out we had three to four copies of each book and now we have one. So, I have to embrace the trends and nurture my readers in that area, because that’s when they realize that I understand what’s currently popular. It’s about what’s currently popular and what meets the needs of the curriculum content. It means that I have to talk with my teachers a lot, and talk to my students a lot. The sad part is the weeding, which a lot of people don’t understand. Like a garden needs weeding, so does a library. Things can stop being relevant and this means that I have to eliminate them. It’s a part of the living, breathing vibrant collection, and it’s a part of my job.”

If you were stranded on an island, which three books would you bring?“Oh no! Really? This question? Can I cheat and just take a solar powered kindle? This is so hard because there are so many books that I haven’t read, and so many that I have read and that are my favourites. For example, To Kill a Mockingbird, but I have already read that seven times. There is also Anne of Green Gables, which is one book that goes all the way back to my childhood. I should say something really literary like James Joyce or Pride and Prejudice. There is no right answer to this question, because it depends on what’s the right thing for you. I will leave it at that.”

Favourite author currently?“I have two favourites currently; Pierce Brown and Sarah J. Mass. They are both YA authors, and I am eagerly waiting for two of their books to be released. Pierce Brown is the author of Red Rising and Golden Son. The third book is due to be released in January and is called Morning Star. Sarah J. Mass is the author of the Throne of Glass series. I really like this series because I like strong, kickass female heroines.”

Written By: Zara Khan

Time is NOT MoneyI’m sure at some point, we have all heard or read Benjamin Franklin’s famous saying, “Time is money,” whether from a parent telling you not to waste precious time or on the actual quote you read 18 words ago. Despite the fact that Franklin made that quote in reference to the economy, most people choose to perceive it differently.

To me, the quote, “Time is Money” does not mean that we can exchange an hour for a hundred dollars. For time- the eons, decades, hours, even the following minutes that you

will spend reading this paragraph, ironically, about not wasting time- are ones that you will never get back. Every moment you waste being alive, but not living, just simply existing- those are the moments lost forever. Just as every dollar you spend unwisely or lose is one that you may never redeem. However, unlike time, you could possibly, with hard work, earn back your money. But, you can never, even with the most amount of effort, reclaim the many minutes and hours that have slipped through your fingertips in moments that felt like seconds.

That is why, to a certain extent, I believe that Benjamin Franklin was wrong. Time is not money, for time has a greater value than money, greater than any piece of paper or metal, which is just what bills and coins are. Being in Grade 9, I have a whole new perspective on the value of time. It feels like just yesterday when I first started middle school. Now, suddenly, I am just years away from graduating high school. It’s as if each stage of life, each milestone, passes in a heartbeat. I usually have to stop for a moment and remind myself to live in the moment, to cherish every day that I am still just a kid in high school. Just imagine, in a few years I will be graduating high school, then university, moving onto the workplace and then retiring. I always ask myself, “Then what”? The imaginary clock that has been ticking away throughout my whole life will tick away its final seconds before stopping completely. That is why I plan to enjoy every tick of that

clock and every second that I have. Being in school, most of my time is usually spent doing my homework, studying, and focusing on my academics in general. However, in order to make the most of my time, I have learnt to prioritize and manage my day and set personal deadlines. Some good advice I can give to anyone reading this article is that if you prioritize, juggling life and deadlines becomes easy and you will be able to focus on enjoying life and living it to the fullest. Time is precious, so make the most of every second you have alive.

By: Tanisha Warrier

Quote of the Day

Have any art/design pieces? Poems? Short story? Want to be featured in the Newspaper? Please

contact a member of The Voice or Ms Marciano.

The Voice UpdateWhile we usually have the latest pop culture events, a more important issue has arisen. On Thursday, November 12, 2015 and Friday, November 13, 2015 two horrible tragedies occurred, in France and Lebanon.

Friday: In Paris, France, an attack carried out by “three coordinated groups of gunmen” took the lives of many victims, reopening old wounds from the Charlie Hebdo attack earlier this year. Currently, 129 people are dead and 352 are injured, 99 of them in critical condition. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks as supposed revenge for previous Parisian attacks on Syria. Thus far, police have arrested three suspects at the Belgian border and one suspect is confirmed to be French, but investigations are continuing the hunt.

Thursday: In Beirut, Lebanon, suicide bombers (supposedly from ISIS), set off two bombs in the Shia district of Burj al-Barajneh, mirroring a similar attack in the country that happened in early January. The first blast occurred as a crowd of people were exiting a busy mosque, and another attack occurred 50 metres away only minutes later. Hospitals report that so far, 43 people died, and over 239 people were injured. ISIS claimed the attack as an attempt to wipe out Shia Muslims.

Around the same time as these tragedies, Japan and Mexico both experienced earthquakes, which could have caused devastating events, but thankfully major issues were avoided.

At this time, the best thing to do is to keep both France and Lebanon in our thoughts, and make sure not to perpetuate any misinformation.

By: Sanghavi Sripathy

San Francisco City Hall Sydney Opera House

CN Tower

A Perpetual Reverence for Those Who Have PassedThe month of November - solemnly – does not only

represent the presence of chilly breezes from the falling of tangy, crimson leaves. It also marks a moment of significance in our hearts, for those who have stood before heart-wrenching situations and have sacrificed their lives for our nation’s safety and dignity. It is indeed an act of true bravery and solidity; no ordinary man or woman is capable of enduring such agonizing pain. We must not take our freedom for granted. In our hearts,

we shall always be grateful to all the men and women, who have served or do serve, for their invaluable and prestigious contribution because "Freedom is not free, it costs soldiers." - Unknown

By: Gurleen Garcha

Spotlight on the Arts

Artist: Amarpreet SinghArticle Author: Tanisha Warrier

Harold M. Brathwaite’s grade 12 art student, Amarpreet Singh, has created a stunning portrait. His realistic rendition of himself has a depth and vibrancy that makes it jump off the canvas. Singh’s usage of beautiful blue hues adds to the painting’s unique beauty. This is spectacular piece of artwork is a gorgeous display of one of the many talents hidden in HMB.