A Memoir

Work with What You Got: A Memoir 

by Zion Clark (Author), James S. Hirsch (Author)

Elite wheelchair racer and wrestler Zion Clark joins with New York Times best-selling author James S. Hirsch for a stunning memoir—recounting childhood adversity, awe-inspiring perseverance, and self-invention.

When a baby named Zion was born in 1997 to an imprisoned, drug-addicted mother, his future seemed bleak. Born without legs due to a rare condition called caudal regression syndrome, Zion was abandoned and shunted to a foster-care system ill-equipped to care for him. In this stirring memoir, readers will follow as he is bounced from home to home, subjected to abuse, neglect, and inconceivable hardship. Somehow, Zion finds supportive angels along the way: his first two foster families, who offer a haven; the wrestling coach who senses his “warrior spirit” and nurtures it; the woman of fierce faith who adopts a seventeen-year-old and cheers his every match. From play-by-play narration of how Zion adapts wrestling moves to defeat able-bodied opponents, wielding phenomenal arm and hand strength, to accounts of his extraordinary work ethic, unflagging optimism, and motivational speaking, this is an inspirational story of courage that will appeal to any athlete who respects determination, any young person facing adversity, and any reader who wants to believe in the human spirit.

Genres:
Memoir, Middle Grade

The Story of Disability Rights Activist Judith Heumann

All the Way to the Top: How One Girl's Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything 

by Maryann Cocca-Leffler 

A picture book biography celebrating the life and work of disability rights activist and icon Judith Heumann, highlighting one of her landmark achievements—leading the historic 504 Sit-in in 1977

From a very young age, Judy Heumann heard the word NO. When she wanted to attend public school, the principal said, "NO." When she wanted her teaching license, the New York Board of Education said, "NO." Judy and people with disabilities everywhere were tired of hearing “NO.”

In the 1970s an important disability rights law, Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, was waiting to be signed. Judy and other disability rights activists fought for “YES!” They held a sit-in until Section 504 was signed into law. Section 504 laid the foundation for the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was established thanks in large part to the ongoing work of Judy and her community.

Along with a personal reflection from Judy herself, this picture book biography captures the impact and influence of one of America’s greatest living activists.

Genres:
Non-Fiction, Our Favorites, Picture Book

The Fight for Disability Rights

We Want to Go to School!: The Fight for Disability Rights

by Maryann Cocca-Leffler 

There was a time in the United States when millions of children with disabilities weren't allowed to go to public school. But in 1971, seven kids and their families wanted to do something about it. They knew that every child had a right to an equal education, so they went to court to fight for that right. The case Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia led to laws ensuring children with disabilities would receive a free, appropriate public education. Told in the voice of Janine Leffler, one of the millions of kids who went to school because of these laws, this book shares the true story of this landmark case.

Genres:
Non-Fiction, Picture Book

The Five of Us

by Quentin Blake  

Angie, Ollie, Simona, Mario, and Eric are five fantastic friends, each of whom has an unusual ability. Disaster strikes on a day in the countryside, but by working together and combining their individual powers, the Fantastic Five save the day. Teem­ing with Quentin Blake’s characteristic sense of fun and exuberant illustrations, The Five of Us is a powerful though subtle reminder that the world is a better place when we focus on what we can do rather than what we can’t.

 

Genres:
Picture Book

Tags:
Disabilities, Disability representation, Wheelchair user

Susan Laughs

by Jeanne Willis 

Susan laughs, she sings. she rides, she swings.
She gets angry, she gets sad, she is good, she is bad...

Told in rhyme, this story follows Susan through a series of familiar activities. She swims with her father, works hard in school, plays with her friends -- and even rides a horse. Lively, thoughtfully drawn illustrations reveal a portrait of a busy, happy little girl with whom younger readers will identify. Not until the end of the story is it revealed that Susan uses a wheelchair.

Told with insight, and without sentimentality, here is an inspiring look at one spunky little girl whose physical disability is never seen as a handicap.

Genres:
Picture Book

Tags:
Disabilities, Disability representation, Wheelchair user

Ben's Adventures: Under the Big Top! 

by  Elizabeth Gerlach 

Ben loves school. And Ben loves his teacher. He always has so much fun. But what happens in class when he lets his imagination soar? A day under the big top, perhaps? His teacher learns to juggle. He launches his brother from a cannon. His friend flies on the trapeze. There are even lions, elephants and clowns. Ben uses a wheelchair, but he’s still a child just like the others in his class. He has fun, dreams, aspirations and friends. Paired with vivid illustrations and written in verse, this beautiful book is fun-to-read for all kids and will help them to think about disability and kindness. The important and inspiring messages in this Ben’s Adventures children’s book series are suitable for everyone, helping us to accept and embrace differences and appreciate what makes us unique. Messages of acceptance and inclusion, friendship and family make the books perfect for teaching young kids that people are more similar than they are different. Follow along with these inspiring stories about a boy who loves to dream.  Get it NOW and then download the FREE Activity Fun Guide at Bens-Adventures.com.   Best-selling author of Out of My Mind, Sharon M. Draper, says "These books are awesome and really necessary!"

Genres:
Picture Book

Poisoned: Snow White's Story

by Mary Mecham

A poisoned apple and true love's first kiss were only the beginning to Snow White's story...

After a handsome prince swoops in to save the day, Snow can't help but feel like something is still missing in her life. She begins to wonder if "happily ever after" really exists, because what she is experiencing certainly isn't the idyllic life she imaged a princess would have. With each passing day, Snow feels an increasing desire to escape the pressures of the castle and return to the brothers who live in the cottage in the woods.

Snow adores the youngest of the brothers, who cannot speak and has an inexplicable, infectious joy about him. Oliver's grouchy caregiver doesn't want anyone to get close to their family, and continually rebuffs Snow's kindness. Snow can only hope that the unlikely friendship of these two brothers will be the key to unlocking her heart and happiness.

This retelling of the classic fairy tale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, continues the story far beyond the supposed "happily ever after" and explores the value of friendships as Snow discovers the innate worth every person has, regardless of ability level.

If you enjoy clean romance, sweet friendships and disability inclusion, then read this book now! This young adult fairy tale retelling is a standalone story.

Genres:
Fiction, Young Adult

Life in a Hearing World with Deaf Queen Boss

EveryDay I Am Just Deaf

by Kellina Powell  

Kellina Powell is a gift to our world. She has proven that no matter what obstacles are in her way, she can overcome them. As a deaf person living in a hearing world, she gives us a peek behind the curtain for living with a disability and creating a life she loves.

In her first book, Everyday I am Just Deaf, Kellina exposes her inner thoughts and feelings to get readers thinking:

  • what it’s like to be deaf in a hearing world
  • what barriers can be removed and
  • what contributions can be made to level the playing field.

Kellina shares her journey so we can better understand how to be a more inclusive world and the considerations that hearing people can make to change the world for people with disabilities.

Genres:
Memoir

Tags:
Deaf, Disabilities, Hard of hearing

Stronger

by Jeff Bauman 

When Jeff Bauman woke up on Tuesday, April 16th, 2013 in the Boston Medical Center, groggy from a series of lifesaving surgeries and missing his legs, the first thing he did was try to speak. When he realized he couldn't, he asked for a pad and paper and wrote down seven words: "Saw the guy. Looked right at me," setting off one of the biggest manhunts in the country's history.

Just thirty hours before, Jeff had been at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon cheering on his girlfriend, Erin, when the first bomb went off at his feet. As he was rushed to the hospital, he realized he was severely injured and that he might die, but he didn't know that a photograph of him in a wheelchair was circulating throughout the world, making him the human face of the Boston Marathon bombing victims, or that what he'd seen would give the Boston police their most important breakthrough.

In Stronger, Jeff describes the chaos and terror of the bombing itself and the ongoing FBI investigation in which he was a key witness. He takes us inside his grueling rehabilitation, and discusses his attempt to reconcile the world's admiration with his own guilt and frustration. . Brave, compassionate, and emotionally compelling, Jeff Bauman's story is not just his, but ours as well.

Genres:
Memoir