Author of the article: Lorraine Payette  â¢Â For Postmedia Network Publishing date: Dec 28, 2020  â¢Â December 28, 2020  â¢Â 3 minute read  â¢Â Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson receives a copy of 'Yara's Spring from Kirkus Kirkus Best Book List author Jamal Saeed of the city. Saeed used his experiences as a Syrian refugee to collaborate with well known Canadian YA writer Sharon McKay in writing the book. Supplied by Sam MacLeod Photo by Sam MacLeod /Supplied photo Article content It is wartime, and things are very hard indeed. Everywhere you look, people are dying, their homes are being destroyed, their peaceful and structured way of life now a memory. There has to be a way out, a means of escape, a chance to come through on the other side and see a better, brighter day.