All Kinds of Heroes
The following books opened my eyes to living life with a special needs child.
The American Library Association (ALA) gives the Schneider Family Book Award to an author or illustrator for the artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. The following books opened my eyes to living life with a special needs child. Young children don't seem to fully understand the differences between disabilities and diseases. The key word is difference . I recommend these books to ALL readers, as it makes us aware, and more accepting, of the amazing diversity of human life right in our midst.
The Deaf Musicians, by Pete Seeger and Paul DuBois Jacobs, illustrated by Gregory Christie (Penguin) When Lee loses his hearing, he has to go to a school for the deaf to learn sign language. Lee is a jazzman, and has lost his job playing piano. But the legends of Seeger and Jacobs give us a great read aloud story about hope and inclusion and the music of bringing people together. 2007 Winner of the Schneider Award for Young Children. (Ages 5 - 8)
Rules, by Cynthia Lord (Scholastic) The narrator in this novel is Anna, a 12-year old girl with an autistic younger brother. She makes a book for him where she puts down rules for how the world works. "Keep your pants on in public." But she is entering a needy time herself and yearns to find an identity where she is seen as "normal". It is a realistic family view of finding acceptance and dealing with differences. 2007 Winner of the Schneider Award for Middle Schoolers (Ages 10 & up)
Al Capone Does My Shirts, by Gennifer Choldenko (Penguin). The premise of the book is about a boy named Moose who has just moved to Alcatraz Island in the 1930s. His father is a prison guard. Moose is just trying to fit into this new neighborhood of his, while trying to care for his sister, Natalie, who is a little different. A 2006 Newbery Honor Book. (Ages 10 -14)
With the Light; Raising an Autistic Child, by Keiko Tobe (Yen Press) This book is a graphic novel, which lovingly describes a mother's rising awareness that her son is different. The mother shows her surprise at reactions to her son, both good and bad, from all around her - Healthcare workers, friends, family and complete strangers. She tenderly and exhaustingly works toward caring for her whole family. The most serious topic to hit a graphic novel that I've seen. (Ages 12 & up)
The Sound of Colors, by Jimmy Liao (Little, Brown) A visit to Kansas City's own Children's Center for the Visually Impaired (CCVI) is a wonderful experience. Volunteer to enhance children's books with tactile items like sandpaper or feathers. Then read this book. A beautiful and moving visual experience, you get to see life from the perspective of a child who is going blind. A trip outside turns into a magical world of imagination. I loved the little white dog! (All Ages)
Reaching for the Sun by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer (Bloomsbury USA). Josie has cerebral palsy, and is a 7th grader living on a farm. She is a true hero, using her intellect and power of language to understand both her strengths and limitations. She meets Jordan, who changes her life. Josie writes poetry, which is beautifully interwoven into the story. (Ages 8 & up)
All Cats have Asperger Syndrome by Kathy Hoopermann (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) They scatter when touched, they hear every sound, they purr in complete trust. The pictures of these cats are true and heart-warming and hilarious. The trials and joys of living with someone with Aspergers are shared in a feline way. (All Ages)
Julie Hubble lives in Leawood and her dog's name is Stella.