Judy B. Wants To Introduce You To Some True Heroes

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.
August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Wonder, now a New York Times bestseller, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.

In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

“If there is one book teens and parents (and everyone else) should read this year, Out of My Mind should be it” (Denver Post).

Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom—the very same classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged, because she cannot tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she’s determined to let everyone know it…somehow.

In this breakthrough story—reminiscent of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly—from multiple Coretta Scott King Award-winner Sharon Draper, readers will come to know a brilliant mind and a brave spirit who will change forever how they look at anyone with a disability.

Stuck in Neutral, a Printz Honor Book, introduced the world to Shawn McDaniel, a fourteen-year-old kid with cerebral palsy. But what happens next?

Shawn's got a new perspective on life. But no one has a clue. That's because they can see only his wheelchair, his limp body, his drool. What they don't see? His brain, with perfect auditory memory. And his heart, which is in love with a girl. And his fierce belief that someday someone will realize there's way more to him than his appearance.

How do you connect with others when you can't talk, walk, or even wave hello? In the sequel to Stuck in Neutral, which ALA Booklist called "an intense reading experience," Shawn McDaniel discovers a new definition of "normal" and finds that life happens next for everyone.

 Shawn McDaniel is an enigma and a miracle--except no one knows it, least of all his father. His life is not what it may seem to anyone looking at him. Not even those who love him best have any idea what he is truly like. In this extraordinary and powerful first novel, the reader learns to look beyond the obvious and finds a character whose spirit is rich beyond imagining and whose story is unforgettable.

"My life is like one of those 'good news-bad news' jokes. Like, 'I've got some good news and some bad news--which do you want first?'  I could go on about my good news for hours, but you probably want to hear the punch line, my bad news, right? Well, there isn't that much, really, but what's here is pretty wild. First off, my parents got divorced ten years ago because of me. My being born changed everything for all of us, in every way. My dad didn't divorce my mom, or my sister, Cindy, or my brother, Paul --he divorced me. He couldn't handle my condition, so he had to leave. My condition? Well, that brings us to the guts of my bad news." 

 Judy B says:
"Augie (Wonder) is a boy who is being mainstreamed into a public 5th grade classroom.  He is a bit worried because of a extreme facio-cranial disorder.  He says 'I won't describe myself to you.  Whatever your're thinking, it's probably worse.'  His family and his own strong self-concept help him  succeed,  not only in going to school but in making friends who see him for who he really is: a brave, funny, smart and just a regular guy able to win over the bullies.

Melody (Out of My Mind) is brilliant 5th grader trapped by cerebral palsy.  She tries her best to let her classmates and teachers know what she's thinking, because she cannot talk. You will be struggling right along with Melody and you will be cheering for her successes as you read this wonderful book, inspiring book which, like Wonder, puts our lives into perspective.

A continuation of a story by Terry Trueman (Life Happens Next) about a 14 year old with cerebral palsy.  Shawn McDaniel's interests are the same interests of every teenage boy, but he can't talk about them or even move his head without help.  He falls in love, he gets a dog, he has conflicts, all within the story narrated by him.  Of course he has a love-hate relationship with a brother who is smart, good-looking, popular, and nice.

Shawn's humanity, like that of Augie and Melody, shines through in every way.  The characters let us discover who they really are, past the physical limitations to the very heart of their thoughts, desires, and acceptance of their lives, which are in no way diminished by the physical setbacks."

All, in my opinion, are true heroes."