Ballerina Dreams: A True Story by Lauren Thompson, Photographs by James Estrin

Abbey, Nicole, Shekina, Monica, and Veronica range in age from 3 to 7 years. They all shared the dream of being ballerinas. Joann Ferrara, a physical therapist and their dance instructor made that dream come true. Each girl is challenged by Cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy, but they don’t let that keep them from working hard to fulfill their dream. Bright action photos show each girl and her teenage helper as they work to hold their bodies in the various ballet poses. Their story is inspiring and conveys a lesson of perseverance.

PreK-2

Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller

Anne Sullivan had always been called Miss Spitfire because she was so unruly and feisty, and she learned how those traits would serve her well when she became teacher to Helen Keller, every bit a Miss Spitfire herself, at all of six years old! From the moment Anne meets Helen, the psychological, emotional, physical and mental battles begin. Anne had nowhere else to go when she took the job as a teacher to Helen. She daily reminds herself of that fact, as she struggles to gain respect from all the Kellers, who have let little Helen terrorize their lives, and to reach Helen, who seems so frustrated, angry and isolated. The story is engaging and quite a page-turner, as we read of Anne's struggles and hope for a breakthrough with Helen. The chapters begin with exerpts from the letters Anne really wrote to her former housemother at Perkins Institute for the Blind. Miller also includes an Author's note, photos, a Chronology, and Bibliography.

Shark Girl by Kellie Bingham

Jane Arrowood had a promising future as an artist, until the day of the accident. Jane went to the beach and decided to go into the water to swim. She felt something tugging at her and she heard screaming from the shore. Unbeknownst to her, a shark had bitten off her right arm. Jane had to come to terms with this disability and was befriended by a little boy, Justin, to realize life still goes on. In this free-style verse, Kellie Bingham brought an unusual closeness to a character experiencing pain, self-esteem and recovery. This book is highly recommended for reluctant readers.

Grades 6-12