  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 09/01/2017 Gr 1–3—Burcaw answers the most common questions he gets about having a disability. He was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which makes his muscles grow weaker throughout his life and his body smaller as he ages. A range of questions, from "What's wrong with you?" to "How do you play with your friends," are answered in a concise yet thorough way. Burcaw takes a humorous approach towards each topic, such as comparing himself to a T. rex when discussing why his head is bigger than the rest of his body. Additionally, he describes his wheelchair as working with a joystick "sort of like a video-game controller." This ultimately serves to emphasize that though Burcaw may look different, he is a person whom kids can empathize with. The discussion of his family's help and how it feels to be made fun of will allow readers to more fully understand what it is like to live with a disability. The pages are visually pleasing, with brightly colored photographs of Burcaw accompanying bold graphics and speech bubbles. An author's note at the end goes into greater detail about SMA and Burcaw's work as a disability rights activist. VERDICT This slim book packs a punch and can serve as a good introduction for students about people with disabilities.—Kathryn Justus, Renbrook School, West Hartford, CT - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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