"Way to go, Alex" is about siblings working together. Alex has a mental disability which makes him unable to do things like most kids his age. When his mom signs him up for the special olympics, his sister decides it is up to her to help him win. They practice very hard, but she gets frustrated with him because he doesn't do all the things she asks and she feels like he just cannot get it right. It is a story of how the sister comes to the realization that it is not about winning, but being happy too.
This book is dated, and a reader can tell by referring to the mental disability as mental retardation. But it is a cute story between the two siblings, I just wish there was more of a point of view from Alex. Even though the story was about him, it was mainly about the sister and in her view. ( )

Way To Go Alex is a very bare minimum attempt to address how siblings of children with a disability tend to handle things. I often became lost in what the plot was and it often depicted Alex in a very negative light. Also, the beginning of the book, it addressed Alex's mental disability as mental retardation which now has a very negative connotation ( )

Carly has an older brother named Alex who has some type of disability that the author does not specifically tell the reader. Carly longs for her bother to be "normal" like her friend's, Annie, brother. Carly's parents signed Alex up to participate in the Special Olympics. Carly worries her brother will not perform well, so she immediately starts his training. On the day of the Special Olympics, Alex does not win any of the games, as Carly had hoped. An official from the games comforts Carly and assures her that everyone is happy because Alex tried his best. I think that this is a good read for children because it shows the struggle of Carly wanting to have a "normal" brother. I enjoyed the Robin Pulver's way of showing the reader the thought process of Carly. Carly tried so hard to make sure Alex had the outcome that she wanted. Instead, Alex remained himself, showing us Carly's acceptance of Alex and loving her older brother no matter the outcome. The thing I loved most about this book what that Pulver decided to let Alex come in third for all of the games. This managed to show his audience the realism in having a sibling with a disability. ( )

I really enjoyed Way to Go, Alex! It definitely put me into the mindset of what it could be like to have a sibling with a disability. I cannot relate to this book but I really felt for the sister, Carly, and the whole family. Alex can't do the same "normal" things like other people can. Carly felt frustrated when her friend bragged about her brother scoring the game winning goal because her brother can barley think on his own. She wishes her could read, write, talk, skip, ride a bike, and draw like other people. Alex in entered into the Special Olympics and Carly feared he would not win so she trained him. Although, he came in third for almost everything, Alex made everyone in the audience happy for doing his best and that's all that matters. I like how the book mentions that the mother thinks she has the most wonderful family in the world but Carly thought she was crazy. The books says, "What's so wonderful about big old Alex with his brain that doesn't work? What's so wonderful about me, who thinks things that aren't nice and thinks winning is so important?" That shows the unconditional love of a mother. That's beautiful to me. The mom may not have the "perfect" children in others peoples eyes but they are perfect to her. I loved this book and would definitely read it to my future students. ( )

Alex cannot do the same things that other can people do, but he can be in the Special Olympics. At first, his sister Carly is nervous for him to be in such a competition. She felt that he wasn't ready for it so she helped him practice to get better. When it was time for the Special Olympics, Carly felt better about her brother being in it. She was hopeful that he would win since there were only three others. However, when it came to fifty-meter dash and the softball-throwing contest, Alex came in last place. There was one more try, but Carly was not so sure about this. She just wanted to go home. When it came time for the standing long jump, Alex was the only one brave enough to attempt it. He did need the help of his sister to jump though. After that, the entire family went out to celebrate with ice cream. Carly now sees that her brother Alex can achieve great things just like other people, even if her family is different. Everyone should always ask for help if it's needed and be brave enough to try things. Sometimes we will fail, but we just need to get up and try again. I feel that this book accurately depicts a mentally disabled child. It gives many examples what life is like for Alex and what Carly goes through as his sister. I really enjoyed this book! ( )