Representation is key in QB library for Year 9.

This term, our Year 9 students have been exploring the importance of representation in literature, considering how books can reflect identity, build empathy, and help every reader feel seen and valued.

At QB, we have made a sustained investment over the past three years in carefully selecting authors and protagonists who celebrate the diversity and differences that make our community so special. 

Our library collections continue to grow with this vision in mind. During Ramadan, we expanded our range of South Asian authors. For Black History Month, we featured a rich selection of both fiction and non-fiction texts celebrating Black voices and histories. This month, in recognition of Pride, we are showcasing over 70 titles that include LGBTQ+ representation.
Across all 15 sections of the library, students can also find books featuring neurodiverse characters, clearly marked with gold stickers to support easy discovery. Thanks to a successful grant application, we curated a special collection of 25 titles focusing on disability representation. Earlier in the year, we also marked Lunar New Year by introducing a selection of books by East Asian authors. We now also have very credible sections for women, mental health and a vast area for biographies.

This learning has culminated in an exciting creative project, where students are now writing their own children’s books—stories which reflect the characters, experiences and representation they want to see in the world.

We are incredibly proud that our students can truly see themselves—and each other—reflected in our library. At QB, reading is more than a skill; it is a way to build belonging and celebrate identity.