We hear everything that the narrator can do, which allows us to infer a hearing impairment. Books reviewed were borrowed from the Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center at Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, where they are available for borrowing. We decided to find 10 books of fiction that center on a character living with a disease or disability. Illus. Rodger, Marguerite. A Notable Book for a Global Society winner. Her old friend Trippy comes to visit and encourages her to write her autobiography starting with her accident and resulting injury. Dominic tells us all about the things that he and his pal, Victor, do to have fun. She has been left with the questionable Aunt Millie, who is a bootlegger. As their life plans change, they become a romantic couple, though Kate has not yet confided to Aidan that she is diabetic. (2014). Told in alternating chapters between Alice and Harvey, they plot all the revenge that Alice needs to complete. What Do You Mean I Have a Learning Disability? A sibling goes through her own process of acceptance regarding her brother, who is “wired differently,” in this story. Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes. Thomas, Pat. The reader follows him through a day at school, where his classmate talks about “looking after Louis,” asking him to join in things, or watching him in class. The first person introduced is eight-year-old Quinn, who has autism, and wants to know about others with autism throughout time. Covid Safety Membership Educators Gift Cards Stores & Events Help. Kumin, Maxine. Special People, Special Ways. Minneapolis: Bethany Backyard, 2007. George Mendoza, paintings by George Mendoza, drawings by Hayley Margan-Sanders. Eddie Lee, who has Down Syndrome, is disregarded, made fun of, and called names by a peer, JimBob. - Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant. From the hearing impaired, to pulling wheelchairs or carrying equipment, these dogs provide loving and useful services for handicapped folks of all ages. Lester, Helen. By the end of the book, young readers will see 15 different words told in ASL. Autism spectrum disorder. (2014). 13 Children’s Books About Disabilities Are you looking for children’s books that provide insight and understanding about various disabilities? Dwight, Laura. ×, Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG, http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/schneider-family-book-award, http://www.cec.sped.org/News/CEC-Today/Updates/DADD-Book-Award-Promotes-Understanding-and-Acceptance-of-Developmental-Disabilities, Inclusive Stories: Teaching about Disabilities with Picture Books, Exploring Disability Using Multimedia and the B-D-A reading Strategy, www.christopherreeve.org/atf/cf/%7B173bca02-3665-49ab-9378-be009c58a5d3%7D/CHILDREN'S%20AND%20TEEN%20BOOKS.VIDEOS%20ON%20DISABILITY%203-11.PDF, www.nlcdd.org/resources-books-movies-disability.html, www.state.nj.us/humanservices/documents/ChildrensBiblioDisabilityBooks.pdf, www.ncld.org/parents-child-disabilities/family-coping-ld/recommended-reading-children-ld, www.specialneedsalliance.org/march-is-developmental-disabilities-awareness-month/, Top 10 Most Read Literacy Now Blog Posts of 2020, Celebrating the Literacy Champions We Lost in 2020, Engaging in Reading, Authoring, and Community Through Virtual Literacy-Casts, Teaching and Testing the Alphabetic Principle in Kindergarten, Reading Black Beauty, Excellence, and Joy. The book uses simple rhymes to show Susan laughing, playing, being scared, working hard, and more. The sound of letting go. Later he became a competitive runner and competed in two Olympics for the Disabled in 1980 and 1984. Daisy has always been the good daughter, especially enjoying playing the trumpet in her high school jazz band. More, it might be good for adults, from high school students up, to catch wind of this book; the Bully Blocker Club that is formed in the 3rd grade lives by rules all of us—even our churches—need to be reminded of sometimes. However, as the author states early in the book, “a disability need not become a social handicap—both the sufferer and society can work together to overcome the obstacles it presents” (2). As the title suggests, this story is truly magical in so many ways. Instead she takes her brother’s spot in the summer tae kwon do session when he drops out and sets out to prove to her parents that she can in fact, complete something. Dwyer, Kathleen. The Invisible Boy is a gentle story that shows how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish. Lizzie and Tippy enjoy visiting a nearby petting zoo, but they discover a shack full of screaming tamarin monkeys. British author Brian Conaghan makes his U.S. debut with the character of 16-year-old Dylan Mint who has Tourette’s syndrome. Siggy was rescued and cared for by Mama Sparrow in the first Siggy book, and now he makes his home with the Sparrow family. Our kids can gain such appreciation of other people from reading, and I’ve already shared our favorite children’s books about being difference and being yourself . Visit the author’s website for more background information. Morton Grove: Albert Whitman and Company, 2004. (2014). Over and over again, the book reiterates his desire to “just be himself,” and when he can, his genius, as his difference, flourishes. She is now learning to walk on a prosthetic leg. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2006. (2014). The book develops chronologically and features a few institutions and their rules and guidelines for people with disabilities even to the point of banning people with disabilities from specific places. Through the book we learn all Taylor and his twin brother Tyler do to play together, such as  playing basketball or taking rides (Taylor in his wheelchair, Tyler on his bike.) A snicker of magic. Her process of discovery of Eddie Lee’s kindness, compassion, and wonder is transparent in the story. Readers later find out that she is dyslexic. Life seems to be going well for Maggie, and then the family watches her wheel-chair bound father’s health begin to deteriorate as the MS he is battling takes a turn for the worse. Oh boy. With the beautiful pictures and the sometimes English/Spanish text, this is a gem for any collection, with both a celebration of culture and of things that do not change with an aging mind. Harrisonburg: Herald Press, 2011. Though cooking, especially her grandmother’s apple pie recipe becomes her new interest, her troubles at school continue and even get her suspended for a short time. (Layne Johnson, illus.). After he is lost for a moment and then found under the park’s bell (his favorite place), Julie asserts that they can walk home the way Ian likes, which includes things like stopping to line up stones on a sidewalk, smelling bricks at the post office, and watching a fan spin in a parlor. A great story about living an ordinary life with a disability. Murphy, Julie. Teachers might like to introduce the books with a book trailer. Books play a crucial role in the way children learn to embrace diversity and a key way that attitudes towards disability can be positively changed is through books. One night during a strange dream Jamie wakes up and goes in search of the book she just dreamt about that pictured a book with a grease-strain shaped like a heart on the cover. Carefully guiding Brian to the place where Scratchy was in a tree, Scratchy lands on Brian’s finger, and Brian returns him to his cage. It’s a simple, yet powerful, way to show … Children’s Disability Books Are Hot Rubbish. Your comment must be approved first, You've already submitted a review for this item, Thank you! Clearly the title dates this book, as the word “handicap” is no longer in favor. New York: Walker and Company, 1991. Perry, Jolene. This book showcases many famous people who the author claims had some form of autism. Teachers will enjoy the fact that Felicity loves to “discover” words, which she keeps track of and plays with them in her writing. From revulsion to pity, from erasure to abuse, we all need to take a look at how we view disability and how we treat each other. I believe it might help children think about how their actions affect others, as well as shedding light on some of the ways autism affects the behavior of one child with autism. Hands & Hearts with 15 words in American Sign Language. Centerton: Awaken Specialty Press, 2009. Hauppauge: Barron’s Educational Series, 2002. I would guess in 2012 this book reads differently than it did in many contexts in 2004. Please join the disability book and movie club for more discussion books (and movies!). Defending Science Fair Champion, Student of the Month most months and future President of the United States Maggie is starting into middle school. ReadWriteThink has collected a group of lesson plans and classroom activities centering on disabilities. Cruise, Robin. Following the test and a learning disability diagnosis, Jimmy attends a class for other students “who are smart and have the same problems.” A dated resource, this book still focuses on the individual journey which makes it worth a read. It explains how disabilities can come about, how children with disabilities can get the help they need, and how we are all very much the same. Be Good To Eddie Lee. Best, Laura. (2014). New York: Houghton Mifflin Books, 1999. by Amy Bates. As her yellow-belt exam approaches and an injury makes it difficult to keep going, Eliza and her family support her as she strives to achieve her goal and move on to cake decorating class. The Hank Zipzer series is a great one for children with learning disabilities, but Holy Enchilada stands out as one of the best. We  should hang out sometime: Embarrassingly, a true story. Hooway for Wodney Wat. The guidance counselor suggests she keep a book of quotes each day to give her some inspiration that might guide her thinking. Nathan’s Wish: A Story about Cerebral Palsy. Ruthie Raccoon comes in her wheelchair, Tall Paul arrives as the bear that is taller and skinnier than all other bears, and Penelope Pig marches with her hearing aids in place. (2014). Govinda is her new dance instructor, and before long they fall in love. Young Zita cannot (or desires not) to keep step in time to the goose-stepping march of Igor, the head goose, as he marches all the farmyard geese to the pond each morning. Zita creates a beat of her own. Brian says he knows that his brother will never be as careful as he is. I wonder if things like make a difference- easpecially because you put this book as an example of bad dipiction. Paralympic skier Josh Sundquist’s memoir of coming of age as an amputee cancer survivor. Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Through pictures and texts, we see people of different ages, races, genders, and abilities. Told in alternating voice chapters and their romance evolves, they tell their stories of living with their recent life-changing disabilities. Deciding to make the best of it he creates a list entitled “Cool Things to Do Before I Cack It.” Filled with British and Scottish slang and abundant use of 4-letter swear words and more, Dylan proceeds to conquer his to-do list. Little Mama Forgets. Every other sense comes alive through his sharing; he shows us the colors, the wildlife, and temperature of the morning and water. (2014). Readers will be anxious to see who wins the baking contest. Lears, Laurie. The struggle also takes her to a new place within herself with an awakening about who she is and the future ahead. Great strides were made in the 20th Century, particularly under the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. With the help of her friend Evelyn, Cammie embarks on an adventure that will lead her to Halifax in search of a school for the visually impaired to start a new life that she knows will offer more than her small town. ‘Just Because’ makes me twitch. The publisher’s blurb reads: “The Fault in Our Stars meets Sarah Dessen in this lyrical novel about a girl with cancer who creates a take-no-prisoners bucket list that sets off a war at school—only to discover she has gone into remission.” Sixteen-year-old Alice has just finished a grueling year of chemo to treat her acute lymphocytic leukemia. She discovers that everything that causes him to be teased (and her, too) is bound up in differences. Candlewick Press. At first despondent in the hospital, an American doctor gives her new hope that her dance career is not over. Venkatraman, Padma. Roth, Judith. It isn’t until the last page that we learn that Victor is in a wheelchair, through an illustration of the two laughing. McNeese, Tim. She is nothing more than a servant, and her rebellious spirit forces her to leave this household. Last month I wrote about seven children's book authors with dyslexia, speaking to my own personal struggles with learning disabilities.Our audience's response was huge, and I think I know why. The author spins a tale of characters that demonstrate self-respect and resourcefulness as they step to the beat of life’s parade. Eliza Bing LOVES cake decorating! (2014). YA = Young Adult. As a healthy and active child, Mendoza had planned to become a basketball player, but by the age of fifteen, he was legally blind. Readers of all ages will enjoy this inspirational book that not only presents Mendoza’s vivid, colorful paintings, but also the story of his life and how his blindness and spirit helped him to excel. Cheered along the way, Dozer was the special feature of the marathon and succeeded in increasing the number of pledges. Dominic says the best thing about his friend Victor is that he accepts him for who he is. This week’s book review column from the International Reading Association’s Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) deals with the theme Embracing Disabilities and Differences. Encouraged by his new family, Siggy learns to march since he is not able to fly and gains respect from others as well as himself for his accomplishments. From the Essential Library of Social Change series, this volume presents the social history of disability rights. Though her father’s health is on a downward slide throughout the book, this story of a family working together to deal with the daily presence and hardships of disease is handled carefully and without over sentimentalizing. Lakin, Patricia. He begins a new life with a new name, Baraka that means “blessing.” This poignant story is beautifully and briefly told in an atmosphere of poverty yet filled with love and the sacrifice and desire for a better life. How these conditions affect family and friends is explained. Rose, Lisa Otter. Please look for a confirmation email from us. (2014). (Polly Dunbar, illus.). Written through the voice of the author who lived this experience, Maggie Mayfield is an 11-year old writing the memoir of her life during the past year. It tells the story of a little princess who had everything until “the fog” came, which helps children learn about their depression and the many ways they can deal with difficult feelings. I feel that the best way to help our children learn compassion and understanding is by talking to them about various disabilities and sharing stories to help them understand. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. by Annabel Wright. Children's fiction or chapter books; for children in Grades 2-6; ranging from 60 to 200 pages, the books are generally divided into chapters, contain fewer illustrations, and have more complicated plots or concepts than either AC or JE books. Powers, J. L. (2014). Most of these books dwell on themes such as self-awareness, transformation and the value of human relationships. She engages the help of her lifelong friend, Harvey, who is in love with her. (2014). by Eugenie Fernandes. Green, Sara. From the Understanding Mental Health series, this book describes and explains autism, Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, and more. (Lesley Harker, illus.). At age eleven, precocious and undaunted, she and her mother are starting a new life in a small town in Florida. reply | flag * message 4: by Hayley (new) Mar 27, 2014 01:44PM. Set near Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the late 1940s and early 1950s, this story deals with Cammie Deveau who is visually impaired. Without ever saying the word “blind,” the reader learns that Brian is blind, through how his family describes things to him. Dudley, Blanche R. (2014). These reviews and resources are submitted by members of the International Reading Association’s Children’s Literature and Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online. One drawback is that, due to the year of publication, the book cover uses the phrases “disabled children” and “Down’s children,” rather than the “people first language,” which is now considered most respectful. Teachers face classrooms daily that are filled with children with a variety of backgrounds and needs. New York, Melanie Kroupa Books; Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2006. (2014). Others may need a little extra time and reassurance as they settle into the new role of Big Sister or Big Brother. Reply. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is not really a book for children. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books. Though this book is not specifically about disabilities, it does celebrate uniqueness and difference. Dunn explodes what we think we know about disability. Mean girl Madison has made life tormented for Eliza at school. This is a compilation of all of the books on disability that I review, compile lists about, have guests write about and so forth. Because he said, “Simon Says ‘go west,’” the bully rodent thinks he means “go west” and leaves on a long journey west; the rest of the class, knowing how to understand Rodney’s mixed up letters, all lie down and rest, and make him the hero for making the new rodent leave. They soon suspect that the owner, Henry, or possibly young Julian might be involved in smuggling endangered animals into the country. Walters, Eric. It begins on the playground, asking the reader to guess which child has a hard time joining in on the playground, and points to the fact that the reader likely picks the girl in the wheelchair. (Brooke Rothshank, illus.). Children and adults struggle with the social interaction and communication that often accompany these illnesses. Brilliant and touching. Auto Suggestions are available once you type at least 3 letters. Moss, Deborah. Govinda encourages her that dancers have ten talents. She would like to take a class in cake decorating with her best friend Tony, but her parents don’t think she will stick with it because of her ADHD. (2014). He can’t walk without holding onto … The “Living With” series particularly looks at contemporary issues regarding health and disability and society’s changing attitudes toward them. But her friends remind her that being a friend means loving unconditionally. Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation www.christopherreeve.org/atf/cf/%7B173bca02-3665-49ab-9378-be009c58a5d3%7D/CHILDREN'S%20AND%20TEEN%20BOOKS.VIDEOS%20ON%20DISABILITY%203-11.PDF, Teacher’s Books on Disablities http://blanchedudley.com/siggys-parade/, Books on the Disability Experience www.nlcdd.org/resources-books-movies-disability.html, Children with Disabilities: Bibliography and Teacher’s Guide www.state.nj.us/humanservices/documents/ChildrensBiblioDisabilityBooks.pdf, Jessica Kingsley Publishers www.jkp.com/, National Center for Learning Disabilities www.ncld.org/parents-child-disabilities/family-coping-ld/recommended-reading-children-ld, March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month www.specialneedsalliance.org/march-is-developmental-disabilities-awareness-month/, Facebook: Embracing Disabilities www.facebook.com/embracingdisabilities. He has a disability that makes it more difficult to care for his needs and so grandmother and Muthini journey to the orphanage where Grace tearfully relinquishes custody of Muthini. The Bully Blockers: Standing Up for Classmates with Autism. This is the way to ensure that we raise compassionate, empathetic, and kind children. (2014). A time to dance. [Affiliate link] Don’t Call Me Special, whilst not a story book as such, uses a clever narrative to illustrate the idea that we should avoid making assumptions about people based on the way they look. Liberty Corner, NJ: New Horizons Press. Children’s Books About Disabilities. Infused with pieces of Hinduism and Buddhism, Veda struggles back to the dance. Refusing to let this keep her from her love of dance, she enrolls in beginner dance lessons to relearn how to dance on her new prosthesis. Photographs, sidebars, timelines, bibliographies, and a glossary are included. Conaghan, Brian. Davis, Patricia. On the very last page, a picture of Susan in a wheelchair with the text, “That is Susan through and through- just like me, just like you,” emphasizes the gift of being able to  have an ordinary life while living with a disability and the gift of seeing what we all have in common. Christy, another peer is struggling throughout the story to know exactly what to do with Eddie Lee’s desire to be with JimBob and her out exploring the North Carolina hills. As educators we need to create classrooms that are inclusive and provide an atmosphere of acceptance and sensitivity that will maximize the success of all students. The book begins, “Willie was a wood thrush… (he) was different. He did not start painting until his thirties. 10 Children’s Books that Teach Inclusion Summer is a fantastic time for exploring new books that foster meaningful conversations between children and adults. A great book to initially introduce children to various disabilities. “Sometimes, when we see people who are different from us we assume things about them that are not always true,” (10) the book states. This book is based on the true story of Dozer, the Highland, Maryland Goldendoodle who unknowingly ran in a race to support cancer research in May of 2011.