June 2011: Persons Facing Physical Challenges (Master List and General Discussion)

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

The theme for our June Club Reads will be Persons* Facing Physical Challenges.

Now is your opportunity to VOTE for the five books you would most like to read for this theme. Please make a COMMENT below listing the five books of your choice from those in our official nominations (posts 2-34 below). To view the list without reading through all of the comments, simply click the "More" link under the "Books Mentioned in this Topic" over in the right column (under the ad space).

For this theme, I'd like our selections to include books not only about inspiring famous persons (such as Helen Keller) who might come to mind with this theme, but also everyday people (children, especially) overcoming these challenges.


Votes will be accepted until May 20th. Thank you!


*I also know that for difficult subjects like this, some authors and parents/teachers like to employ non-human characters to reflect the themes as sometimes this can be especially helpful for children--exploring the theme without it being so obviously about "them" (One example I remember vividly from my own childhood is Fanny by Stephen Cosgrove about a three-legged cat). However, I will leave it up to the group members to decide whether these anthropomorphic characters count as "Persons" for purposes of our theme. I imagine we'll have some great books to choose from in either case.

[Lisa]

How It Feels to Live With a Physical Disability by Jill Krementz

Keep Your Ear on the Ball by Genevieve Petrillo

and, I'll try to think of some more; If I do, I'll edit this post. Thanks.

AND:

The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco!!!

[Jayde]

Velvet Ball and The Broken Fairy

I loved this one. It was funny, also a bit sad, but really cute.

[Dolly]

Here are a few I've found:

We Can Do It! by Laura Dwight

Through Grandpa's Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan

Moses Goes to a Concert by Isaac Millman

Howie Helps Himself by Joan Fassler

The Storm by Marc Harshman

My disclaimer: I haven't read any of them yet, but they look good to me and best of all, they are available at my library! :)

[Cheryl]

Two that really touched my heart:

Tender tale of a grandfather who taught his grandson to walk, only to suffer a stroke later.The grandson remembers, and helps his grandpa re-learn to walk. Now One Foot, Now the Other by Tomie dePaola

Since Down's syndrome often has physical characteristics that often lead to assumptions: Be Good to Eddie Lee by Virginia Fleming

Others I liked that seem to fit this theme:
I really liked the matter-of-fact way the author handled blindness in Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum by Robert Andrew Parker.

A French jazz musician whose hands were severely burned in a fire and yet re-learned to play again: Django by Bonnie Christensen

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Oooh, great list so far! Thanks!!!

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Here are a few that look good, though I haven't read them:

For Helen Keller, A Picture Book of Helen Keller looks like it might make a nice introduction--it focuses on her childhood.

Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis (Oh, I see Chandra already nominated this--looks great!)

My Friend Isabelle

In Jesse's Shoes

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Chandra wrote: "RE: My Friend Isabelle - I was unsure if we would include books about Down Syndrome in this topic so I didn't list any myself, but it's a topic I'm *very* interested in. Izzy has a cousin with Down..."

Thanks for the comment, Chandra. The blurb of this book over on Amazon mentioned how children with Down Syndrome often have physical or speech issues that make them be seen as "different" so I thought of it being "physical" enough for our purposes. But, of course, I realize this is different than someone who is blind or deaf, for example. Anyway, I will leave it on the list and if members are interested in going this route, they are welcome to vote but if they find it too off-topic, just ignore.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

One more!

Knots on a Counting Rope (blindness)

[Crystal]

The Sound of Colors: A Journey of the Imagination "A young woman losing her vision rides the subway with her dog in search of emotional healing."

The Seeing Stick"Hwei Min, the only daughter of the emperor of China, has been blind since birth. Her father offers a reward to anyone who can find a cure for the little girl."

[Crystal]

Stand Straight, Ella Kate A true story.
"Ella Kate Ewing was born in 1872. She started out small, but she just kept on growing."

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Little Stevie Wonder

Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum (also a blind musician)

My Buddy (about a wheelchair bound boy and his service dog)

Different Just Like Me (variety of "differences" described here)

Kami and the Yaks (deaf boy; love the cover art here!)

Mama Zooms (mom in a wheelchair)

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

Helen Keller and the Big Storm

Be Quiet, Marina!

A Picture Book of Louis Braille

Don't Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability

The Junkyard Wonders

Best Friend on Wheels: A Concept Book

Featherless/Desplumado

The Secret Code

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

Maple Moon

Nathan's Wish: A Story About Cerebral Palsy

Mandy Sue Day

See the Ocean

[Leslie]

So many good choices I had not heard about. Can't wait to start reading.

One more comment about children/adult's with Downs Syndrome. From what I know there can also be heart issues where their heart can function in a different way and often heart surgery in new borns is required. I also think it would be Important to teach our kids that their life expectancy is often less with adults with Down's syndrome. I know medicine has come a long way so I am not sure if this has changed.
Hope this helps

[Lisa]

People with Down's Syndrome also have much higher incidences of leukemia. And definitely heart problems. Etc.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Leslie wrote: "In Jesse's Shoes by Beverly Lewis


Beverly Lewis, by Eva Moore

Who Was Helen Keller by Gare Thompson"

Thanks, Leslie. I'm having trouble finding the "Beverly Lewis" book. Can you post a link?

I'm afraid the "Who Was Helen Keller" book is a bit beyond our 40-pages, 4-8 age range for purposes of the Picture Book Club (too bad, as it looks good!)

[Lisa]

Kathryn wrote: "book is a bit beyond our 40-pages, 4-8 age range for purposes "

Whoops. So is my nomination of How It Feels to Live With a Physical Disability, but I highly recommend it to those interested in this subject!!! And, at least I didn't try to nominate any of the many excellent children's novels I've read recently that fit the theme.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Lisa wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "book is a bit beyond our 40-pages, 4-8 age range for purposes "

Whoops. So is my nomination of How It Feels to Live With a Physical Disability, but I highly recommend..."

;-) Thanks for clarifying.

[Lisa]

Well, each kid's story is just a couple pages. ;-)

[Leslie]

So am I still able to pick another book?

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

Leslie wrote: "So am I still able to pick another book?"

I think you can add books until the nomination phase is over with. The end of the nomination phase is May 13, so go for it :-)

[Leslie]

Helen Keller / by David A. Adler ; illustrated by John Wallner.


In Jesse's Shoes by Beverly Lewis

Morris and Buddy : the story of the first seeing eye dog / Becky Hall

[Ronyell]

Here are some of my choices:

Thank You, Mr. Falker

The Lemonade Club

East of the Sun, West of the Moon (Rabbit Ears, Cassette)

Princess Scargo and the Birthday Pumpkin: The Native American Legend

The Tortoise and the Hare: An Aesop Fable

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Leslie wrote: "Helen Keller / by David A. Adler ; illustrated by John Wallner.


In Jesse's Shoes by Beverly Lewis

Morris and Buddy : the story of the first seeing eye dog / Becky Hall"

Thanks, Leslie. Yes, you can nominate as many books as you want up to the deadline (May 13th).

I've added the link for
Morris and Buddy: The Story of the First Seeing Eye Dog

(I think the other two you mentioned are already nominated above).

Thanks again! :-)

[Leslie]

Thanks for adding the link, I am not sure how ti do that. Maybe someday I will learn.

I am looking forward to voting on and reading all of the titles.

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

Leslie wrote: "Thanks for adding the link, I am not sure how ti do that. Maybe someday I will learn.

I am looking forward to voting on and reading all of the titles."

Leslie, when posting a comment, click on the add book/author link above the comment box, type in the book title you are looking for, then click on search. Then, once (or if) your book title appears, simply click on add (and the title will appear in your post, it looks a bit weird, but that is alright). Once you have posted the comment, the book title will appear as a link. It's really easy once you get the hang of it. If I can do it, you can do it :-)

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Now is your opportunity to VOTE for the five books you would most like to read for this theme. Please make a COMMENT below listing the five books of your choice from those in our official nominations (posts 2-34 below). To view the list without reading through all of the comments, simply click the "More" link under the "Books Mentioned in this Topic" over in the right column (under the ad space).

Votes will be accepted until May 20th. Thank you! And thanks to everyone for the great nominations.

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

I'm having trouble making up my mind, but these are my five votes:

Featherless/Desplumado

We'll Paint the Octopus Red

The Junkyard Wonders

See the Ocean

The Secret Code

[Dolly]

my votes:

We Can Do It!

Through Grandpa's Eyes

Moses Goes to a Concert

Howie Helps Himself

The Storm

It's probably a bit lame, but I just picked the ones I nominated. I am sure that most, if not all of the others that have been nominated would be great, too.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Dolly wrote: "It's probably a bit lame, but I just picked the ones I nominated. I am sure that most, if not all of the others that have been nominated would be great, too."

Not lame at all. If you nominated them, obviously you think they sound good and hopefully are available to you so no reason not to vote for them :-) We have so many great choices this month, it's hard to narrow it down!

[Lisa]

Here are my five:

The Junkyard Wonders

Keep Your Ear on the Ball

See the Ocean

The Secret Code

We Can Do It!

[Ronyell]

Here are my top five:

The Junkyard Wonders

The Lemonade Club

The Secret Code

East of the Sun, West of the Moon (Rabbit Ears, Cassette)

See the Ocean

[Leslie]

Moses Goes to a Concert
Morris and Buddy: The Story of the First Seeing Eye DogThe Secret Code
Helen Keller and the Big Storm
My Buddy

[Karol]

It is really difficult to choose from so many interesting books.

I'm not voting for The Junkyard Wonders because we discussed this one as a group in the September "Back to School" theme. Although its one of my favorites, I'd rather read books that we haven't discussed so recently. (Personal preference - I'm not trying to dictate what the group should do).

I would like to vote for:
We'll Paint the Octopus Red
Through Grandpa's Eyes
Moses Goes to a Concert
The Secret Code
We Can Do It!

[Crystal]

See the Ocean
The Seeing Stick
Stand Straight, Ella Kate
The Lemonade Club
Moses Goes to a Concert

[Annette]

Here are the titles that I would be interested in reading/discussing:

See the Ocean
The Junkyard Wonders
Secret Code
We'll Paint the Octopus Red
Keep Your Ear on the Ball
Velvet Ball and the Broken Fairy

[Lisa]

Annette wrote: "Here are the titles that I would be interested in reading/discussing:."

Annette, We're allowed to vote for 5 books only. Just fyi.

[Annette]

Lisa wrote: "Annette wrote: "Here are the titles that I would be interested in reading/discussing:."

Annette, We're allowed to vote for 5 books only. Just fyi."

Oops, got carried away and didn't realize that I posted 6...YOu can disregard the last title listed, as I posted them in the order of interest.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Annette wrote: "Oops, got carried away and didn't realize that I posted 6...YOu can disregard the last title listed, as I posted them in the order of interest. "

Thanks! Duly noted ;-)

[Gaynor]

The Seeing Stick,
Now One Foot, Now the Other'
Knots on a Counting Rope
Sorry have only voted for 3. Cannot get the others, but have these in the library and have read them before.
The Seeing stick is a gorgeous book with beautiful rich illustrations.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Thanks to everyone who voted! The votes are in and here are the books we'll be reading next month. As you can see, we are covering a variety of physical challenges here and I think this will prove to be a rewarding and inspiring month!

We'll Paint the Octopus Red (Down Syndrome)

Moses Goes to a Concert (Deafness)

The Secret Code (Blindness)

The Junkyard Wonders (various special needs)

See the Ocean (Blindness)

ALTERNATE TITLE:
My Buddy (Muscular Dystrophy)

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

I wanted to add a book to our Master List that happens to fit our theme A Ball For All. Though it's mostly a story about friendship and kindness (even to those who aren't necessarily kind in the first place), a few of the characters do have physical challenges: the mouse has one leg that's shorter than the other, the mole has trouble seeing and the frog has trouble hearing. But they all work together and have fun. I'm not sure the story itself was that strong, but I really enjoyed the illustrations and it's a more subtle way to introduce physical challenges than some of the other books here.

[Crystal]

Great, already reserved what was available at my library.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

I just read How Smudge Came and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in this month's theme! Here is my review (four stars):

This is the story of big-hearted Cindy and the puppy she finds one cold, rainy day on the city streets. She brings him home but knows she can't keep him. She takes him to work and he enchants one of her friends there, but still, the workplace is no home for a puppy. What to do? She can't hide him forever. But when he goes to a local shelter and isn't adopted, the pain is almost more than she can take. For she felt the puppy was HER puppy, and somehow she hopes they can still be together.

Sounds like a sweet and fairly typical story of a girl and her dog, right? Now what if I told you that Cindy is a young woman with Down syndrome? That it's not her parents but those who run the home where she stays that don't allow pets. That she works at a Hospice cleaning rooms, and that her friend is a blind patient who is dying? Woah, right!? It is the blind gentleman who names the dog Smudge as all he can see of it is a little dark smudge; but the sweet dog brings him infinite joy, none-the-less. Despite some of the heavy issues in this book, I did not find it a depressing story and I think it excels because it is not "about" the physical challenges of the characters; at heart, this story is still about a girl and her dog--and about a love that surpasses the "challenges" Cindy and Jan (the blind man) face in their daily life.

I was utterly captivated by the cover art and knew I had to read this book! I think the cover illustration is still my favorite but there are other very nice ones in the book, too.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Oh, I'm going to be looking for this one!

[Leslie]

Well paint a red octopus- in the end we enjoyed the book. What I found hard was they spent many pages talking about the girls life and less than one page about life after the little boy arrived. I don't think my son really got what it was like to have a brother with Down's syndrome.

The secret code- I really enjoyed this book! I will share it with the families I work with. I enjoyed seeing the two kids sharing Braille and one of them didn't have any vision issues. I also enjoyed seeing Oscar take another girls arm as if they are friends to guide together. I also really love the bookshelves of Braille books. Cute, cute. I agree that it would have been nice to feel the dots in the book.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Abigail wrote: "I just ran across a book that features a mother in a wheelchair - Mama Zooms - which looks very engaging, and thought I'd mention it here in the master list."

Oh, yes! I had seen that one, too, and added it to my nominations. I am glad you posted about it again, though, since I hadn't actually seen the book just saw it on my library's website. I'm glad to know it looks as good as it sounded :-)

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

I just read My Buddy and enjoyed it quite a bit. I still prefer stories, that actually have something going on or a conflict or development, rather than just exposition - but if a child is curious about service dogs this is probably one of the best introductions you could find to share.

[Crystal]

I just wanted to share with everyone I had the opportunity to read The Sound of Colors: A Journey of the Imagination. I really think you all would enjoy it. I am recommending it to all who read this post. =) If you have a moment, I posted a review.