
A parent would reach for this book when their child is navigating a physical difference or feeling frustrated by a world that is not designed for their specific needs. It serves as a powerful tool for any child who feels like an outsider, shifting the narrative from what a person is missing to what they can uniquely create. Jordan Reeves shares her journey of growing up with a limb difference and her refusal to let it define her limitations. This memoir is deeply rooted in themes of self-advocacy and creative problem-solving. It follows Jordan as she uses her imagination and STEM skills to design her own prosthetic, most famously a glitter-shooting arm. It is a celebratory, empowering read for children aged 8 to 12. Parents will appreciate how it fosters a growth mindset, encouraging kids to speak up for themselves while finding joy in their own individuality.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals directly and secularly with physical disability. It addresses the curiosity and occasional rudeness of others in a matter-of-fact way. The resolution is highly hopeful and realistic, focusing on adaptation rather than a "cure" or "fixing" the difference.
A 10-year-old who feels self-conscious about a physical trait or a student who loves "maker" culture and wants to see how engineering can solve real-life personal challenges.
This book can be read cold. Parents may want to look up Jordan's "Project Unicorn" video online beforehand to share the visual excitement of her invention with their child. A parent might see their child hiding their hand in their sleeve or avoiding a social situation because they are tired of explaining why they look different.
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the cool inventions and the "superpower" aspect of her prosthetic. Older readers (11-12) will better grasp the nuance of her self-advocacy and the emotional weight of standing up to doctors or peers.
Unlike many disability memoirs that focus on struggle, this book leans heavily into the STEM and maker movement. It frames a physical difference as an opportunity for creative engineering.
This memoir follows Jordan Reeves, born with a limb difference (a left arm that stops just above the elbow). It chronicles her childhood experiences, from navigating playground interactions to attending specialized camps. The heart of the book focuses on her journey into the world of design and STEM, specifically her participation in a workshop where she prototypes a 3D-printed prosthetic arm that blasts glitter. It concludes with her becoming a public speaker and advocate for the limb-different community.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.