Earlier this summer I covered two books that celebrate some landmark events for people with disabilities. You can find the post here.
All the Way to the Top: How One Girl's Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything
written by Annette Bay Pimentel
illustrated by Nabi H. Ali
written by Annette Bay Pimentel
illustrated by Nabi H. Ali
Be sure to find this picture book to learn more about
how the Americans With Disabilities Act came to be.
A Sporting Chance: How Ludwig Guttmann Created the Paralympic Games
written by Lori Alexander
illustrated by Allan Drummond
written by Lori Alexander
illustrated by Allan Drummond
This middle grade nonfiction book explains
the beginnings of the Paralympic Games.
As the parent of a child with a physical disability, it is so important for readers to see themselves within the pages of stories. It has meant a lot to her to see kids who have challenges they are working through. What is interesting is how she sees able-readers react to these stories. A word that she, and others in the disabled community despise, is the word inspiring. Often after reading books that have a disabled character, a reader may say that character is so inspiring. To the disabled community, this is an ableist view. No one calls an abled person inspiring for doing what they always do in a day. So why is it when a disabled person does this, with or without a challenge, it becomes inspiring. I find myself thinking about that more - is the inspiration of the character because they are doing something amazing or because they are doing something the able body reader does as well? Something to think about as you read these stories!
Today I have a roundup of books that feature characters with a disability. When we talk about representation matters, please remember that includes having a wide range of books that feature a disabled character. In today's roundup, I have fiction picture books and middle grade. Another great place to find a list of books is the Schneider Family Book Award page. This Award is given to a book that features an excellent portrayal of the disability experience.
Picture Books - Disability in KidLit titles
Can I Play Too?
written by Samantha Cotterill
Just Ask
written by Sonia Sotomayor
illustrated by Rafael López
Unstoppable Me
written by Susan Verde
illustrated by Andrew Joyner
A Friend for Henry
written by Jenn Bailey
illustrated by Mika Song
Benji, the Bad Day, and Me
written by Sally J. Pla
illustrated by Ken Min
Middle Grade - Disability in KidLit titles
Lila and Hadley
by Kody Keplinger
Wink
by Rob Harrell
The Truth According to Blue
by Eve Yohalem
Tornado Brain
by Cat Patrick
Bouncing Back
by Scott Ostler
What Stars Are Made Of
by Sarah Allen
Charlie and Frog
by Karen Kane
Planet Earth is Blue
by Nicole Panteleakos
Roll With It
by Jamie Sumner
Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess
by Shari Green
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
by Dusti Bowling
How to Disappear Completely
by Ali Standish
Focused
by Alyson Gerber
Spinner of Dreams
by K.A. Reynolds
Song of a Whale
by Lynne Kelly
The War That Saved My Life
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
After Zero
by Christina Collins
The Brave
by James Bird
Would you like to read All the Way to the Top by Annette Bay Pimentel or a A Sporting Chance by Lori Alexander? The authors are hosting a giveaway. Enter below!
I love this round-up!
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestions!
ReplyDeleteI have never given the term "inspiring" much thought prior to reading your post. Your explanation makes so much sense. Thank you for opening my eyes. I have many of the books on your list in my classroom library. Fingers crossed that maybe I will get another one to add to the collection.
ReplyDeleteNice roundup. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very helpful round-up. We (Unity Braxton MS Library) are always looking for ways to include all of our students. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSo need more books like this in my library. I need to write this day down so I can remember it for the years to come.
ReplyDeleteIndeed I would! Very behind with my reading but these all look great. Thanks for the recs, Michele!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list! There definitely aren't enough books with characters with disabilities. The book I reviewed today, Over the Moon by Natalie Lloyd, has a protagonist (Mallie) with a disability, and she specifically says she hates when people think of her as "inspiring." Thanks for the great post!
ReplyDelete