4 stars
A fantastic book that gives a bit of history about the Americans with Disabilities Act and Jennifer Keenlan-Chaffins’ role is getting the world to pay attention.
One thing that I really liked about this book was its emphasis on children’s power. Often children are told they have to wait until they are older to make big decisions and while that may be true for some things, this book shows that a person can become an activist at any age. Great perspective of empowering children to fight against injustices when they see them and not be afraid to voice their beliefs.
The book itself is wonderfully written with simple yet interesting language used to convey the events. A bit wordy for very young children but a great book for older kids to learn more about disability rights and the history of making physical spaces more accessible. I also think it nicely voiced the frustration of wanting to be able to go and more forward in life, but having obstacles get in the way that make you stop, whether in the form of stairs and curbs or people telling you that you can’t.
At the end of the book are sections that include more information such as the definition of disability, a timeline of events, and some common misperceptions about disabilities and why they are problematic.
Overall, a great read that can inspire children, give them something to relate to, teach them to take different perspectives, and show them that children can make a big difference in the world.