The Secret Summer Promise

Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the vulnerability of a first crush or the fear that their physical differences might make them unlovable. It is a vital resource for parents of children with disabilities who want to move beyond stories of suffering and instead celebrate a protagonist who is allowed to be joyful, romantic, and ambitious. The story follows Andrea Labonair, a Black girl with cerebral palsy, as she navigates a summer 'Best Friend List' and the terrifying prospect of confessing her feelings to her best friend, Hailee. This is a deeply optimistic contemporary romance that centers on the concept of 'disabled joy.' It addresses themes of self-confidence, intersectional identity, and the importance of supportive community. Parents will appreciate the way it models healthy communication and emotional courage for the 12 to 17 age group, providing a mirror for disabled teens and a window for others into the lived experience of navigating the world with a physical disability while dealing with universal adolescent milestones.