Jaffna Boy

He's built lasting friendships, struggled with grades, and had plenty of wild adventures. But for Bernard Sinniah, the time to leave St. John's College is finally here. As he boards the train out of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, Bernard can't help but feel conflicting emotions. After all, he isn't just leaving his boarding school behind...he's saying goodbye to his entire childhood-ten years worth of people and experiences that have shaped his life completely.

As his old life disappears in the distance, Bernard recalls the triumphs and sorrows, the laughter and dreams of his school days. Told within the context of his train journey home, "Jaffna Boy" is an engaging collection of true stories about life in boarding school-from practical jokes, to drunken antics, to touching moments of growth-all set in 1970s Sri Lanka.

Through it all, Bernard explores his tumultuous journey from childhood to adulthood with candor and heart, ultimately taking away one very important message: Keep Believing in Yourself, no matter what.

Partial proceeds of "Jaffna Boy" will be donated to Serendib Charitable Trust, a charity working to rebuild the Nuffield School for the Deaf and Blind at Kaithaddy, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.