Genres:
Middle Grade

Excerpt:

The Running Dream

by Wendelin Van Draanen

The acclaimed author of Flipped delivers a powerful and healing story that’s perfect for anyone who’s ever thought that something was impossible. Listeners will revel in the story of a girl who puts herself back together - and learns to dream bigger than ever before - after she’s told she’ll never run again.

Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. She's not comforted by the news that she'll be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg. Who cares about walking when you live to run?

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As she struggles to cope with crutches and a first cyborg-like prosthetic, Jessica feels oddly both in the spotlight and invisible. People who don't know what to say, act like she's not there. Which she could handle better if she weren't now keenly aware that she'd done the same thing herself to a girl with CP named Rosa. A girl who is going to tutor her through all the math she's missed. A girl who sees right into the heart of her.

With the support of family, friends, a coach, and her track teammates, Jessica may actually be able to run again. But that's not enough for her now. She doesn't just want to cross finish lines herself - she wants to take Rosa with her.

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Genres:
Non-Fiction, Picture Book

Excerpt:

Terry Fox and Me

by Mary Beth Leatherdale

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope, this picture book biography tells the story of a friendship defined by strength and love.

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Before Terry Fox become a national hero and icon, he was just a regular kid. But even then, his characteristic strength, determination and loyalty were apparent and were the foundation for his friendship with Doug. The two first met at basketball tryouts in grammar school. Terry was the smallest - and worst - basketball player on the court. But that didn't stop him. With Doug's help, Terry practiced and practiced until he earned a spot on the team. As they grew up, the best friends supported each other, challenged each other, helped each other become better athletes and better people. Doug was by Terry's side every step of the way: when Terry received a diagnosis of cancer in his leg, when he was learning to walk - then run - with a prosthetic leg and while he was training for the race of his life, his Marathon of Hope.

Written from Doug's perspective, this story shows that Terry Fox's legacy goes beyond the physical and individual accomplishments of a disabled athlete and honors the true value of friendship.

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Genres:
Memoir

Excerpt:

Ten Feet Tall: Step Into Your Truth and Change Your Freaking World

by Brandon Farbstein

Being 3'9' in a world that towers over you is anything but easy. 18 year old Brandon Farbstein has conquered his life's uncertainty and has already impacted millions around the globe to do the same as a professional and TEDx speaker. In his first book Ten Feet Tall, Brandon shares how he was able to step in to his truth and leave his mark on the world and how you can too. You shouldn't just be existing...you should be living on your own terms - with a mentality elevating you to feel Ten Feet Tall. This empowering book will help you shift your mindset to use your adversities as catalysts to propel you forward.

Genres:
Picture Book

Excerpt:

Dillon the Dolphin: Educating Children About Cerebral Palsy

by Shelly Weiss

This book is aimed at educating children ages 4-8. The story explains a specific medical condition in kid-friendly language in hopes of demystifying perceived differences to readers so they can comfortably and freely interact with others who are unlike themselves without fearing the unknown. Educating children early in life will help them appreciate diversity and acceptance.

Includes discussion questions for the child who has the medical condition, and discussion questions for the child who does not have the medical condition.

Genres:
Picture Book

Excerpt:

Different is Awesome

by Ryan Haack

A little boy brings his older brother, born with one hand, for show-and-tell. The students ask him all sorts of questions about how he does things with one hand and realize that he can do anything they can do, he just does it differently. Along the way, they notice that we're all different in one way or another, leading to the realization that not only are differences a similarity we all share, but, they are what make us unique - AND AWESOME!

Genres:
Non-Fiction, Picture Book

Excerpt:

Different Abilities

by Rebecca Pettiford

In Different Abilities, beginning readers will learn to celebrate diversity by appreciating the variety of abilities people have. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text engage young readers as they draw inferences about how diversity makes our society stronger and more interesting.

Genres:
Picture Book

Excerpt:

Devin's Discovery

by Skylar Miller

Devin's Discovery is a story about an ordinary boy who happens to wear orthotic braces. He realizes he's not as different as he thought as he discovers there are many other children who need special orthotics and prosthetics to support them, too! A story of acceptance and embracing what makes us all unique, this is a book for EVERY child!

Genres:
Our Favorites, Picture Book

Excerpt:

Dancing with Daddy

by Anitra Rowe Schulte

Elsie can’t wait to go to her first father-daughter dance. She picked out the perfect dress and has been practicing swirling and swaying in her wheelchair. Elsie’s heart pirouettes as she prepares for her special night. With gestures, smiles, and words from a book filled with pictures, she shares her excitement with her family. But when a winter storm comes, she wonders if she’ll get the chance to spin and dance her way to a dream come true.

Genres:
Picture Book

Excerpt:

Completely Me

by Justine Green

Completely Me is a story about a little girl who never noticed there was something different about herself until others pointed it out. When she decides to stand up for herself, she teaches the townspeople an important lesson about acceptance.

Genres:
Picture Book

Excerpt:

Completely Emme: A Cerebral Palsy Story

by Dr. Justine Green

"Completely Emme" is a story about a little girl who learns to stand up for herself when others point out her differences. She teaches the children an important lesson about compassion and acceptance. This is the second book of Dr. Justine Green's award-winning series "Completely Me"