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We Want to Go to School!: The Fight for Disability Rights
A Junior Library Guild Selection February 2022
The true story of the people who helped make every public school a more inclusive place. 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.
The true story of the people who helped make every public school a more inclusive place. 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.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published September 15, 2021
4 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Maryann Cocca-Leffler
93 books47 followersMaryann Cocca-Leffler of NH, is the Author and Illustrator of over
60 books for children. Maryann’s book, Janine (2015) and its new sequel, Janine and the Field Day Finish (2016), were inspired by her daughter, Janine. Together they have developed a corresponding website, www.janinesparty.com with a mission to help change public perception of children with disabilities. Other books include, A Homemade Together Christmas, Bus Route to Boston and Bravery Soup.
Now a playwright, Maryann wrote a play based on her Princess KIM books. Princess K.I.M. The Musical won a National New Play Festival in 2012 and has had sold out performances on the East and West coasts. Princess K.I.M. The Musical is now represented by Stagerights.com, a licensing agency in LA to bring the play National.
Maryann grew up in the Boston area (read Bus Route To Boston!) and attended Massachusetts College of Art and Design where she received a BFA in Illustration. Her very first book, Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’ written by Eileen Spinelli, was published in 1982 and has been re-released in 2015 as a classic. When not in her studio, Maryann is traveling, visiting schools and attending her play.
If you are interested in a school visit, please check out the VISITS link on my website:
www.MaryannCoccaLeffler.com
www.JaninesParty.com
www.PrincessKimTheMusical.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 7, 2021
I loved this book, and it was very personally meaningful to me: My best friend, who had osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), didn't attend school until she was 10 years old, when the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was passed. Still, she was cheated of years of schooling in her early years. I also worked for an organization that provided training and advocacy to parents of children in special education--even with laws in place, it's still essential for parents to know their children's rights. This book is important because it both shows the history of special education rights and reminds us that more needs to be done.
I like how this book, written by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and Janine Leffler, begins with Janine telling her story: She has cerebral palsy and was able to go to school and be included, just like kids without disabilities. Then she describes how it wasn't always that way.
This book is a thrilling story of a fight for rights and equality, detailing the court case of Mills vs. the Board of Education, and it's an important book for all children and their parents and teachers. I like the detailed timeline at the end, and Maryann's reminder that the fight for equality isn't over: People with disabilities still face much discrimination in employment. This book will inspire children and adults to keep advocating for equality.
I like how this book, written by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and Janine Leffler, begins with Janine telling her story: She has cerebral palsy and was able to go to school and be included, just like kids without disabilities. Then she describes how it wasn't always that way.
This book is a thrilling story of a fight for rights and equality, detailing the court case of Mills vs. the Board of Education, and it's an important book for all children and their parents and teachers. I like the detailed timeline at the end, and Maryann's reminder that the fight for equality isn't over: People with disabilities still face much discrimination in employment. This book will inspire children and adults to keep advocating for equality.
October 17, 2021
Janine, one of the co-authors, introduces the main text with a personal message to readers, explaining that her public school education was welcoming, included necessary services, and accommodated her special needs. She wrote this to documents what other disabled kids dealt with during the reality before the laws finally changed to protect her education and the public education of all children.
With colorful illustrations in familiar settings, Janine's story explains that her birth condition, cerebral palsy (CP), presented mobility and independence challenges. Even though walking and talking were delayed (muscle-based activities), she learned early to read and think (brain-based activities). When she eventually realized that luntil aws were changed, countless children with specific needs had NEVER BEEN ALLOWED to attend public schools. She recognized a need for this book. Her account reveals ways young people were isolated or made to pass tests, meet specific demands, or otherwise demonstrate that they could "get by" without extra help or disruption to the ways schools had always been.
Children were often kept home, unschooled, or even placed in residences where they were "tended to" but not educated. Wealthier parents might pay for private services at home or in special schools. In a limited number of public schools, separate (often inferior) locations, staff, and curriculum might be provided.
Year after year, at any given time, MILLIONS of kids were being denied their rights to a free and equal public education. In 1971, seven disabled children (named and drawn with class-picture appeal) challenged these restrictions in court.
It was in those years that I began my own long career as a special education teacher, with the full understanding that I'd likely work in one of those separate, private institutions. Public schools were not yet required to offer education of any kind to children with special needs, and certainly not with teachers who could provide high levels of expertise. Through those early years of challenge (and several pages of well-drawn and clearly explained text), the course of their legal challenge and eventual success is shown through the lives of kids.
The kid-figures on the page are diverse in apparent ethnic identity, needs, and appeal, leading to a double-page spread that portrays the faces of "about 1,000 kids", with the text encouraging readers to image EIGHTEEN PAGES with a thousand faces on each. That is a superb way to indicate the representation of 18.000 kids in the Washington D.C. area who were NOT receiving public education at that time. Then the point is made that, across the USA, more than EIGHT MILLION kids were being denied services due to disabilities.
The celebratory ending follows pages depicting the tension of court arguments, a long and stressful wait for a decision, and then, finally, the news that THEY WON! Back matter follows with informative and accessible text describing the central rights of the court case and new law, a note from Janine, another from her mother Maryann (the co-author), a timeline, and a note from the attorney who led the court arguments that gained disability education rights.
To make the law a reality was a bumpy road that is not part of the story here, but kids, their families, and teachers like me persisted at making public schools accessible, equitable, and a welcoming home for every kid with every kind of need.
With colorful illustrations in familiar settings, Janine's story explains that her birth condition, cerebral palsy (CP), presented mobility and independence challenges. Even though walking and talking were delayed (muscle-based activities), she learned early to read and think (brain-based activities). When she eventually realized that luntil aws were changed, countless children with specific needs had NEVER BEEN ALLOWED to attend public schools. She recognized a need for this book. Her account reveals ways young people were isolated or made to pass tests, meet specific demands, or otherwise demonstrate that they could "get by" without extra help or disruption to the ways schools had always been.
Children were often kept home, unschooled, or even placed in residences where they were "tended to" but not educated. Wealthier parents might pay for private services at home or in special schools. In a limited number of public schools, separate (often inferior) locations, staff, and curriculum might be provided.
Year after year, at any given time, MILLIONS of kids were being denied their rights to a free and equal public education. In 1971, seven disabled children (named and drawn with class-picture appeal) challenged these restrictions in court.
It was in those years that I began my own long career as a special education teacher, with the full understanding that I'd likely work in one of those separate, private institutions. Public schools were not yet required to offer education of any kind to children with special needs, and certainly not with teachers who could provide high levels of expertise. Through those early years of challenge (and several pages of well-drawn and clearly explained text), the course of their legal challenge and eventual success is shown through the lives of kids.
The kid-figures on the page are diverse in apparent ethnic identity, needs, and appeal, leading to a double-page spread that portrays the faces of "about 1,000 kids", with the text encouraging readers to image EIGHTEEN PAGES with a thousand faces on each. That is a superb way to indicate the representation of 18.000 kids in the Washington D.C. area who were NOT receiving public education at that time. Then the point is made that, across the USA, more than EIGHT MILLION kids were being denied services due to disabilities.
The celebratory ending follows pages depicting the tension of court arguments, a long and stressful wait for a decision, and then, finally, the news that THEY WON! Back matter follows with informative and accessible text describing the central rights of the court case and new law, a note from Janine, another from her mother Maryann (the co-author), a timeline, and a note from the attorney who led the court arguments that gained disability education rights.
To make the law a reality was a bumpy road that is not part of the story here, but kids, their families, and teachers like me persisted at making public schools accessible, equitable, and a welcoming home for every kid with every kind of need.
September 10, 2021
I loved this important book--from the illustrations to the text. It's hard to imagine that students and other people I know, love, and have grown up with, who have disabilities, would have ever been denied access to public education. But it happened. Especially to those that I know who were older than me. I love the way that the authors and illustrator share this story. Being written from the perspective of a student with CP makes the text engaging and move it along with a narrative that is easy to follow. However, what I love most about this book is that it calls attention to the fact that more needs to be done for people with disabilities who want to enter the workforce after finishing their education. While I can see the positive effects of these types of efforts in my own community, no doubt many additional steps forward can be taken. I highly recommend this book for any classroom, library, and home collection for advancing the idea of inclusivity in our world. Bravo!
September 10, 2021
The book opens in the first person as one of the co-authors introduces themself, noting they have cerebral palsy, and describing their school experience. From there, the co-author becomes the narrator, telling the story of children in the 1970s who wanted the same access to school, but were excluded. The book covers how they and their families mobilized to fight for their right to attend school. The story is conveyed primarily through easy-to-follow declarative sentences, complemented by friendly colorful illustrations which will engage the child reader. The authors share how “The children and their families made their voices heard,” identifying key rulings and lawsuits in a way that is not overwhelming. Supplementary materials include a gloss of the history of disability education rights in the US, a timeline, and a note from one of the attorneys who represented the children and their families. (Thank you to Albert Whitman for the advance copy)
July 28, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from Albert Whitman & Company through Edelweiss+..
A first person narrative non-fiction book about the early history prior to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Janine Leffler shares her story as a child with Cerebral Palsy. Readers see her attending school and being part of the class. She then explains that earlier in the United States, children with disabilities could not attend public schools. Using clear and easy to follow text, the authors take readers through the events that led to the class action lawsuit that paved the way for changes across the country.
The illustrations support the text and offer context for readers. Further informative text including a page written by one of the lawyers and a timeline of events, offers more details for readers who want to learn more.
A first person narrative non-fiction book about the early history prior to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Janine Leffler shares her story as a child with Cerebral Palsy. Readers see her attending school and being part of the class. She then explains that earlier in the United States, children with disabilities could not attend public schools. Using clear and easy to follow text, the authors take readers through the events that led to the class action lawsuit that paved the way for changes across the country.
The illustrations support the text and offer context for readers. Further informative text including a page written by one of the lawyers and a timeline of events, offers more details for readers who want to learn more.
Read
November 26, 2021I knew a little bit about the fight for children with disabilities to attend school, but this book goes into more detail about the seven families who banded together to bring a class action lawsuit that changed the world of education. This is information that needs to be more well-known and this nonfiction picture book definitely deserves space on your shelves.
August 20, 2021
There once was a time when millions of kids weren’t allowed to go to school. This is a true story of how children with disabilities fought for the right to go to school and won. This is a story of empowerment told from a disability perspective.
December 10, 2021
A great introduction to an important topic. I appreciated that he illustrations have lots of kid appeal and the text explains without getting bogged down in details.
January 6, 2022
Grown woman right here! I just learned so much from this book. Everyone should read this!
March 13, 2025
What an excellent book! I’d recommend this to anyone, and I will be using it in my course on teaching diverse learners (I cover educational law).
August 30, 2022
Good intro to the IDEA (Individuals with disabilities act) which started as EAHCA and spurred the creation of IEPs
Author notes in back, resources, timeline
Analogy to the passing of the segregation laws
Author notes in back, resources, timeline
Analogy to the passing of the segregation laws
March 2, 2022
We Want to Go to School! makes the struggle for equal access to education relevant today. Written by authors who directly benefited from the students' fight for the right to attend public school, this non-fiction picture book clearly explains why children with disabilities were excluded from many schools, and how a small group of families changed our country's policies with a landmark court case. Children today are familiar with special education and inclusive classrooms, so the concept of their compatriots being barred from the classroom could seem bizarre; the authors, however, give voice to the historical persons in such a way that readers can identify with them while also appreciating their impact. The format especially appeals to young readers like T, who love reading speech bubbles and
offset text embedded in the illustrations. You can see T's assessment of We Want to Go to School! in the photos.
Back matter includes notes from both authors and Paul R. Dimond, plaintiff's attorney; a timeline; and further information about disability education rights in the United States.
This book hits close to home - my younger brother benefited from Mills v. Board of Education as well, attending the same middle school and high school as me. Acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities are two values I'm always looking for in books for T. By highlighting the differences and emphasizing that those differences do not impact our rights, We Want to Go To School! bridges the divide between the special ed and regular ed constituencies.
offset text embedded in the illustrations. You can see T's assessment of We Want to Go to School! in the photos.
Back matter includes notes from both authors and Paul R. Dimond, plaintiff's attorney; a timeline; and further information about disability education rights in the United States.
This book hits close to home - my younger brother benefited from Mills v. Board of Education as well, attending the same middle school and high school as me. Acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities are two values I'm always looking for in books for T. By highlighting the differences and emphasizing that those differences do not impact our rights, We Want to Go To School! bridges the divide between the special ed and regular ed constituencies.
April 20, 2022
Janine is a young adult with cerebral palsy. She tells of happy years in growing up in school, but says how it wasn’t always that way; years ago, thousands of disabled children could not go to public school. Janine tells a well-rounded story of why schools felt they couldn’t educate children with disabilities, and how a group of families changed that mindset through the groundbreaking case Mills v Board of Education of the District of Columbia. I really like the way the authors have set up the illustrations to blend with the text, which makes the story appealing, like you must turn the page to see what comes next. The details in the story are important to understanding disability rights, and the story is well-told.
December 9, 2021
"There was a time in the United States when 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 public education. Janine Leffler, one of the millions of kids who attended school as a result of these laws, tells the true story of this landmark case"
October 3, 2021
The authors do a great job of distilling an important legal precedent down to its basics, so young readers can truly understand the injustice of denying disabled children a public education and the importance of the Mills case. I love how each child plaintiff is named by name and illustrated so wonderfully. Kid-friendly and empowering – classroom teachers will especially love this book for the discussions it is sure to prompt.
January 30, 2022
We Want to Go to School!: The Fight for Disability Rights is an excellent book to give to elementary school kids to discuss disability rights and activism. I'm ashamed to say I hadn't heard of Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia before I read this book, but now I want to learn more about it in detail (of course, with adult non-fiction books lol).
This book is great to add to a children's book collection, so children learn how diverse and impressive people are.
This book is great to add to a children's book collection, so children learn how diverse and impressive people are.
June 21, 2022
A thousand time— YES! I literally cried through this book! So grateful for those who made education possible for all.
February 7, 2022
“We Want to go to School! The Fight for Disability Rights” is a beautifully illustrated and educational children’s book, but I think it’s definitely a book that every parent should read, especially every parent of a child with special needs. The book makes as good an attempt as can be made at a child friendly way to discuss the history of the disability movement, how IDEA was drafted via the landmark Mills vs. D.C. Board of Education decision, but I did find myself having to rework certain chunks of the text to make it more accessible for my younger children who are ages 4,6,7.
With that in mind, I don’t know if I recommend this book as it’s originally written for small kids, although the speech bubbles and the mentions of the children whose parents brought the Mills case in DC did get my kids to perk up when they realized kids like them helped spread fairness to millions of other kids!
In general, there are terminologies in the book like “lawsuits,” “class action cases” etc, that were not very child friendly for my younger kiddos. The most relatable portion for them was the beginning of the book when Janine shares her accessible experience of school and shows readers the types of teachers and therapists that help her at school as a setup for the historical aspect of the book. This is a book that I would re-read to my kids when they are closer age 11 and up, but I definitely recommend it as a book for parents who are new to the world of disability and who are advocates for their children in schools. I think the notes at the end of the book from the authors and the note from one of the original attorneys on the Mills vs. the DC Board of Education case are very enlightening and motivating !
With that in mind, I don’t know if I recommend this book as it’s originally written for small kids, although the speech bubbles and the mentions of the children whose parents brought the Mills case in DC did get my kids to perk up when they realized kids like them helped spread fairness to millions of other kids!
In general, there are terminologies in the book like “lawsuits,” “class action cases” etc, that were not very child friendly for my younger kiddos. The most relatable portion for them was the beginning of the book when Janine shares her accessible experience of school and shows readers the types of teachers and therapists that help her at school as a setup for the historical aspect of the book. This is a book that I would re-read to my kids when they are closer age 11 and up, but I definitely recommend it as a book for parents who are new to the world of disability and who are advocates for their children in schools. I think the notes at the end of the book from the authors and the note from one of the original attorneys on the Mills vs. the DC Board of Education case are very enlightening and motivating !
September 22, 2021
This picture book about the fight for children with disabilities to attend public school is both interesting and informative. The colorful pictures add to the impact. I did find the "story within a story" aspect to be unnecessary, but my daughter thought the historical struggle for equality was inspiring.
November 9, 2021
This book is informational, but it has a lot of rose colored glasses feeling to it. I appreciate the recognition of the fight to get where we are, but it ignores the ableism and discrimination still very much present today. In a world that focuses far too much on equality while ignoring equity, we have a long way to go before things are truly right.
December 23, 2021
There is some good information in here about Supreme Court cases relevant to disability rights, but there isn't any acknowledgement of how much more work needs to be done on this front (both in the education setting and more generally). There is a lot of text and good amount of backmatter. The illustrations look like watercolor and ink and I wasn't a fan.
August 18, 2024
The story of the fight for the right to a public education for disabled students. Told in a kid-friendly way, with appealing illustrations, this is a terrific book to introduce children to the fact that for a very long time, education in America was not inclusive. Includes back matter explaining the author and illustrator's personal connection, and a timeline.
November 25, 2021
This book documents the struggles many went through so that all children could have equal access to education. Many disabled children trying to attend school prior to the 1970s were denied an education. The knowledge provided by this book is important, but the delivery is lacking some.
November 18, 2023
I have mixed feelings about the book. I love the idea and the story the book is telling. I just don’t feel like the story is very engaging. I think if it had been told in a different lens it would’ve made it much more interesting.
January 28, 2025
This book tells the history of when children with disabilities were not allowed to go to public schools and discusses some of the important court cases and laws that changed that. It’s probably best for slightly older children because it does discuss a lot of history.
Want to read
August 12, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
January 24, 2022
I am so glad I read this. I'm sad to say I didn't know about this and so glad I picked this up! Highly recommend!
April 12, 2022
Good book for kids to learn about a free education for all.
June 17, 2022
An interesting look at the fight for disability rights and the right for all children to receive a public education. I knew very little about this topic, and this was a great introduction.
October 18, 2022
very cute story and based on real life. i love how they show the history of hows it's changed since than.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews