Gr 7 Up—In this young adult adaptation of her adult title, editor Wong compiles pieces written by a diverse range of
people living with a disability. The well-written works introduce issues of equity and facts of life for disabled people
that will be eye-opening for many readers. An essential read that amplifies voices of the disability community.

This collection of short essays is eye opening. It's so valuable. I recommend everyone read it as it shares people's lived experiences. ( )

Aradical sampling of disabled writers avoids mawkishness and inspiration porn.

This young adult adaptation of a 2020 collection of the same name diverges from the accepted, saccharine portrayals of disabled and chronically ill people who superheroically overcome adversity. Haben Girma’s essay isn’t about how the daughter of Eritrean refugees became the first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, it’s about her deep relationship with her guide dog. Jeremy Woody, a White man, shares the petty abuses and deprivation he experienced as an incarcerated, deaf ASL speaker. Lateef McLeod, a Black poet and podcaster who uses an augmentative and alternative communication device, addresses the power and potential of assistive technology. The featured writers are male, female, and nonbinary; Black, Jewish, Asian American, Arab American, White, and multiracial; some self-identify as queer. Many of the essays are deeply personal. The topics the writers explore include disabled community spaces, fighting against institutionalization, and role models with dwarfism or multiple sclerosis. Bipolar disorder and intellectual disabilities share space with facial difference and incontinence. The essayists examine Christianity and Islam, dating, and the freedom to be loud. Some of the authors will be familiar to readers who engage with disability spaces online, such as Keah Brown, an African American woman with cerebral palsy who went viral with her #DisabledAndCute hashtag. A plain language summary and discussion guide are available online. This is a wide-ranging collection presenting diverse and compelling voices.

Ardently, intimately political instead of passively inspirational: will galvanize young activists. (contributor biographies) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

-Kirkus Review

Short pieces created by people with disabilities representing a wide range of issues and intersectionality. The project which began as recordings in the style of Story Corps became adapted into this book for young readers. Powerful stories that will stick with me. ( )

RGG: A collection of first-person stories of those living with disabilities. Important and revealing. Generating understanding and empathy. Reading Interest: 13-YA.