Books for children with cerebral palsy

March 25th, 2008 Posted in News, Resources/Support

Reading is a great way for disabled children to get a new perspective on their condition, so I’ve compiled a list of books for children with cerebral palsy.

Grades K-3

I’m the Big Sister Now, Michelle Emmert. Nine-year-old Michelle describes the joys, loving times, difficulties, and other special situations involved in living with her older sister Amy Emmert, who was born severely disabled with cerebral palsy.

Danny and the Merry-Go-Round, Nancy Ho. Danny, who has cerebral palsy, is faced with another frustrating day at the playground watching the other children play, until a friendly gesture from another kid gives him an unexpected adventure and helps him feel better about himself.

Jay and the Marigold, Harriette G. Robinet. A young boy born with cerebral palsy watches a flower grow in spite of its handicap. This shows him that he too can grow and blossom.

Imagine Me on a Sit-Ski! , George Moran. Billy, who uses a wheelchair, never imagined himself able to ski, so he’s very excited when he discovers that he and his disabled classmates are going to have a chance to learn.

Nathan’s Wish: A Story about Cerebral Palsy, Laurie Lears. Nathan, who has cerebral palsy, struggles to find a way to help Fire, a wounded bird that has landed in his neighbor’s yard. What Nathan discovers helps not only Fire, but also himself.

Grades 4-7

Mine for Keeps, Jean Little. After coming home from a school for the disabled, a girl with cerebral palsy struggles to make a place for herself in the mainstream.

The Alfred Summer, Jan Slepian. Four preteen outcasts, one of them handicapped and one with cerebral palsy, learn lessons in courage and perseverance when they join forces to build a boat.

Eddie’s Blue-Winged Dragon, CS Adler. Eddie, a sixth grader with cerebral palsy, is excited about finally attending “regular” school, but Darrin, the school bully, immediately begins to harass him. Eddie buys a brass dragon which seems to have some powers to help him through his problems. In the end, Eddie gains his self-respect by winning a school speech contest.

Yes I Can: Challenging Cerebral Palsy, Doris Sanford. Stacy shares the difficulties of having cerebral palsy, and how, in spite of those difficulties, she lives a happy and fulfilling life.

Let the Balloon Go, Ivan Southall. Handicapped by cerebral palsy and overprotected by his parents, a twelve-year-old, left alone for the first time, does precisely what he has been forbidden to do in an effort to assert his independence.

Grades 8-12

Reaching for Sun, Tracie Vaughn Zimmer. As if seventh grade weren’t enough of a challenge for anyone, Josie also struggles with cerebral palsy, social isolation, a mom she needs more time and support from, and monster bulldozers that are carving up the countryside to build huge homes around her family’s old farmhouse. Enter new neighbor Jordan, a sensitive kid whose geeky, science-loving ways bring a fun spirit of discovery into Josie’s days.

I Can’t Walk but I Can Crawl: A Long Life with Cerebral Palsy, Joan Ross. Her memories of her childhood before inclusion, her development as a teenager and her adult life are chronicled without sentiment and this book offers the reader an autobiography of someone who lives with a significant disability.

Lester’s Turn, Jan Slepian. When 16-year-old Lester, himself a victim of cerebral palsy, takes his friend from the hospital for the weekend, tragedy ensues, forcing Lester to examine the real meaning of their relationship.

The Heart’s Alphabet: Daring to Live with Cerebral Palsy, James Grimm. Having never uttered a word in his life, 40-year-old Jim Grimm profoundly and joyfully touches the lives of all who come to know him. Born with cerebral palsy and unable to communicate verbally or move of his own volition, Jim has turned what by all accounts is a severely isolating lifelong disability into a gift for connecting deeply with others.

From Where I Sit: Making my Way with Cerebral Palsy, Shelley Nixon. Shelley’s CP is, of course, a catalyst for a lot of her life’s events, but she refuses to devote her autobiography to her disability. Instead, she writes, with funny and honest prose, about childhood, friendships, family, crushes, and art - all things important to her.