
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.
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Sign in to write a reviewBrief moments of feeling excluded or different due to physical limitations.
The book addresses physical disability (cerebral palsy) and the social friction of being a Black queer girl in a direct, secular, and empowering way. The approach is deeply realistic but avoids the 'tragedy' trope. The resolution is joyful and hopeful.
A 14-year-old girl who loves contemporary romance but rarely sees herself reflected as the lead. Specifically, a teen with a physical disability who is tired of 'medical' stories and wants a story about friendship, summer, and love.
Read the scenes involving Andrea's internal monologue about her body to understand the specific nuances of her self-perception. The book can be read cold; it is accessible and inviting. A parent might notice their child withdrawing from social situations or expressing the belief that they won't experience typical milestones (like a first date) because of their disability.
Younger teens (12-13) will focus on the 'bucket list' adventures and the excitement of the crush. Older teens (15-17) will better appreciate the nuances of intersectional identity and the emotional labor of maintaining long-term friendships.
Unlike many disability-centric books that focus on a 'cure' or the struggle of the disability itself, this book prioritizes Black disabled joy and the normalcy of teen romance.
Andrea Labonair is a Black teenager with cerebral palsy living in Buffalo, New York. She has spent her life being the 'reliable' friend, but this summer she is determined to complete a bucket list of adventures with her best friend, Hailee. As they move through the list, Andrea must confront her deepening romantic feelings for Hailee and her own internal hurdles regarding self-worth and her physical body.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.