Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Reaching for Sun by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer


Josie is a teen living with Cerebral Palsy, but she's "not retarded." She lives on what's left of her family farm with her mother and grandmother. Josie's story is told in seasons. As the seasons change, so does Josie and her relationships with her mother and grandmother. Josie's mom is very busy working and going to school. When she does have a minute to talk to Josie at home, it's usually to quiz her with flashcards or inform her of extra tutoring she will be taking. The constant push on Josie and extra "special" classes is the cause of many conflicts and, ultimately, lies between the two. Josie's grandmother, on the other hand, is always home and passing down her knowledge of flowers and gardening to Josie. When her grandmother has a stroke, the family is eventually brought together. Mother and daughter make up and learn to really talk and listen to each other.
Josie also finds a friend in the next house over. His name is Jordan and he sees past Josie's disorder to the person she really is. It is a real friendship with ups and downs, but lasting through them all.
As Josie grows and learns more about herself and what it means to grow up, there is a flower in the corner of each page that grows and blooms right along with her.

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