Great People Who Reached For The Stars

by Louise Page, Kat Williams (Illustrator)

Explore the stories of 26 incredible people, experiencing disability and long-term illness, who have achieved sky- high success.
From champion athlete Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah to climate change activist, Greta Thunberg, dive in and discover how the individuals in this celebratory collection reached for the stars.

Genres: Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

Louise Mary Page was a British playwright whose work spanned over four decades. A graduate of University College Cardiff and the University of Birmingham, she was commissioned early in her career by the Birmingham Arts Lab and later held fellowships at Sheffield University, Leeds Trinity University, Edge Hill University, and the University of Huddersfield. At Huddersfield, she became the institution’s first Royal Literary Fellow, significantly contributing to the development of reflective writing practices, especially within health and social care education.
Page received several awards, including the International Student Playscript Award for Lucy, the George Devine Award for Salonika, and the J.T. Grein Award. Her extensive body of work includes Tissue, Falkland Sound, Golden Girls, and Beauty and the Beast, and her plays were produced across major UK venues and internationally. With her husband, she co-founded Words4work, an initiative supporting communication in the workplace.

Reviews

[Steph Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic!

Printed in large paperback format on high quality paper and with gorgeous, colourful illustrations it is an attractive volume for both children and adults.

The content is 26 profiles of famous people, from all walks of life and corners of the globe (artists, athletes, scientists, political activists) with a common theme of each high-achieving individual having a physical or neurological 'difference'.

My children (8 & 5) are really a little bit below the ideal age range for this book, but I started reading a profile out loud to them as part of our bedtime story routine each night, and we ended up reading 3 or 4 each night, as they were so keen to find out more about the people behind the pictures and what they had achieved.

Their interest and enthusiasm also prompted us to search for more information on the people profiled - watching an interview of David Blunkett by a visually impaired child, Greta Thunberg's NatureNow message, and one of Lisa Bufano's performance pieces, amongst other videos. Both children were fascinated to talk about how differences don't need to be seen as 'handicaps' but can actually simply be a normal part of life, art and work, and can help people approach the world and its problems in different ways.

Educational and accessible (the profiles are written in the present-tense and in simple language, with mini-glossaries for any tricky terms), this book should be in every school library and is perfect for reading at home to introduce your children to the amazing diversity in humanity.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic collection of stories about people from all over the world, and from the past to present day. who have experienced disability, and what they have achieved. The disabilities are varied, from physical to mental disabilities, disabilities as a result of long illness, accidents or disability from birth.
Great language is used throughout to explain the disabilities simply and clearly, with quotes to inspire from the stars, as well as share their feelings about their lives and their achievements.

A lot of effort is put in to provoke discussion about the rights of people with disabilities, and explain the different and varied disabilities. I particularly liked the handling of mental disabilities like schizophrenia and OCD and bipolar disorder.

There is a timeline to show when the seated people lived, further reading and wonderful illustrations.

My favourite quote is by the young environmental activist, Greta Thunberg: “When haters go after your looks and differences, it means they have nowhere left to go. And then you know you’re winning!”

[Nicolas Boechat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muito bom o livro! Muito boas ilustrações