Disability-themed Books for Older Children and Teens: Definitely a New Genre in Children's Literature
By Barbara Kolucki ( bakoluck@aol.com)
Over the past two decades, most children's books on the topic of disability were either for younger children (preschool to Grade Three) or stressed teaching others about disability. An encouraging evolution has begun: disability-friendly books for older children are being written and, more often than not, the disability is woven into the story in a natural and implicit way. A child or adult who is disabled or has a disease just happens to be part of a cast of characters. And, these are often mainstream books for children, some part of "Reading Clubs" - a series with the same characters. One book listed, however, has been available since 1972 - I wish that I (and others) had known about it long before this year.
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Cowgirl Megan by Trisha Magraw is published by Magic Attic Press (1995). The contact address is: Magic Attic Press, 866 Spring Street, P.O. Box 9722, Portland, ME 04104-5022, USA. It is part of the Magic Attic Club Series, which is about the adventures of four young girls, Megan, Alison, Keisha and Heather.
Cowgirl Megan is the imaginary tale of how one of the girls magically lands at an "old Wild West show" where she gets a chance to compete as a stunt rider. She meets Kate, the daughter of the owner of the horses and who herself is an expert stunt rider. Kate had an accident a while back and became blind. Since them her father has become overprotective about his daughter riding - and he certainly does not want her to compete as a stunt rider anymore.
Kate and Megan become fast friends. Kate gives Megan lessons on how to ride and gets her ready for the competition. But she also shares about her dream to compete again. At the last minute, the girls design a plan, exchange clothes and Kate competes with Megan's horse. Although this plot has been used before in the internationally acclaimed book and film, National Velvet ,the disability "twist" is new and effectively used. Of course - Kate wins the competition and her father finally sees that his daughter's dream will not be derailed.
Kate goes back to her real life - and shares some lessons with her three other friends about reaching for your dreams. It is a well-written, interesting book - one wants to buy the rest of the Magic Attic Club series!
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The View from Saturday is written by E.L. Konigsburg , a Newberry Medal Author. This is a yearly award given to authors of books for children and E.L. Konigsburg is a two-time winner. It is published by Aladdin Paperbacks, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, N.Y., N.Y. 10020, USA (1996).
This is the story about a sixth-grade classroom of children who are getting ready for an academic school competition. Their teacher, Mrs. Olinski, has to choose the team members. Mrs. Olinski has recently returned to school as a teacher -- ten years after she became paralyzed in a car accident. The four SOULS, as they call themselves, are all chosen individually and yet they are bonded in a way that Mrs. Olinski never realized. There is a chapter on each child, their uniqueness and how they get to be friends with three others who they might not normally choose as friends. Mrs. Olinski discovers that their experiences and friendship have prepared them for the competition in ways that she never thought possible. They discovered kindness and excellence in themselves - and others.
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From Anna by Jean Little is a 1972 book published by Harper Collins Publishers, Inc. 10 East 53rd Street, New York, N.Y. 10022 USA. It is a very special book about a family in Germany in 1933. The family decides, as the country changes and citizens are being denied personal freedom, that they should leave and move to Canada. The father's brother, who has been in Canada a long time, dies as they are about to make their decision. When he does pass away - the father takes it as a sign to go and replace his brother as the owner of a little store - and to start a new life for his family.
The story is mainly about Anna, the youngest child who has always been seen as the slowest and most clumsy. Sadly, her sisters and brothers tease her. Her mother is frustrated with her and their teacher definitely does not understand why she cannot read or learn like her elder siblings. Anna's father has a special place in his heart for his youngest daughter - but also does not know what to do to help her.
When the family arrives in Canada, they are met by a friend of their uncle, a physician. When he examines Anna, he discovers not only that she is in desperate need of glasses, but that she also needs to be placed in a special class. School, which she dreaded and friends, who were absent - slowly become both a source of solace and support in a way that Anna never imagined. The first turning point came when her new teacher asks her to draw a picture of her family and then praises Anna saying "You like reading too. I can see that. And your English! I can hardly believe you've been in Canada such a short time. You are amazing, Anna."
Anna has never been told she was amazing. Nor had others ever helped her to learn a few "tricks" so that she would not get lost finding her classroom. Day after day Anna blossoms in new ways. Preoccupied with their own lives, the other family members hardly notice the changes in the baby of the family. But Christmas time comes - and it is the time of the Depression. Everyone makes a homemade gift for their parents - and Anna surprises them with her own gift, her new skills and her newfound confidence.
I recommend this book to children, to all teachers and to all parents. It is wonderful.
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Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse is a selection of poems from the point of view of Billie Jo - a young girl living in a poor rural area of Oklahoma in the USA. It is published by Scholastic, Inc., New York, N.Y. USA.
The author is a Newberry Award Winner for "the most outstanding contribution to American literature for children". This 1997 has also received several other awards ranging from "A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year" to an "American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults".
Billie Jo and her mother are in a terrible accident that takes the life of her mother and disables Billie Jo's hands. The love of her life is playing the piano - and now this is taken from her along with her mother.
The book is a poignant account of the life of Billie Jo and her father after the accident. It is also about the devastating dust storms that permeate everything in their lives -- and how Billie Jo slowly learns to be "at peace" with her hands and her life.
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A Time for Dancing by Davida Wills Hurwin is a 1995 publication of Puffin Books, Penguin Putnam, Inc. 375 Hudson Street, New York, N.Y. 10014, USA. It is the story of Sam and Julie - two teenage girls who have been friends "for forever". Then Julie is diagnosed with cancer. The book is alternately written from the point of view of each girl as they watch their lives, and friendship change.
The book is sensitive yet instructive about death, dying and the girls' love for one another. It is also an impassioned, well executed study of the emotional ups and downs of adolescents.
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