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Owl's Nest Books

In 1994, an Alberta MLA stood in the legislature and demanded that the book Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck be removed from the high school curriculum reading list. In 1995, Kerry Longpré inaugurated the Sandpiper-Steinbeck Freedom to Read Award, incorporating the name of the bookstore she co-owned. The recipient of the award who demonstrated empathy, courage and compassion while championing the cause of Freedom to Read, received a cheque and a framed engraving of a sandpiper. Along with Bob Stallworthy and Tony King, Kerry began the observance of Freedom to Read Week in Calgary.

Sandpiper Books held an annual essay competition for high school students offering money prizes. The bookstore carried books that caused the premier to make threats: Monier Rahal's Banksters and Prairie Boys and Kevin Taft's Shredding the Public Interest.

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Most recent update: Sat Feb 20 11:12:52 MST 2010