Disability in Kidlit Lives On!
We’ve decided to continue Disability in Kidlit as an ongoing blog rather than a one-time event!
Blog overview
Post listing
Review: Will & Whit by Laura Lee Gulledge
The best part about this story being told as a graphic novel how Gulledge shows us Will’s anxiety: we can literally see the shadows and worries that plague Will.
Discussion: Disability tropes
Which are our contributors’ least favorite disability tropes?
Much Ado About ADD
ADD isn’t an end of the world big deal. It’s really, really not. But it is a deal, it’s a thing. It’s a disability. It puts you on a different default setting.
Memories of Infinity
I’ve always wondered what it would’ve looked like to the outside world, this dance of ours. (Would we be pitied?)
Review: Among Others by Jo Walton
Among Others is a terrific book, even if it isn’t perfect, and I’m so glad Walton represented a disabled teen girl as interesting, strong, and unique.
Review: Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
The story suggests that Kira’s talents as a threader make up for her disability, justifying her continued survival–with the disturbing implication that without it, she would be worthless.
The Problem with Normal
Perhaps “normal” behavior is best described as a “normative spectrum.”
Disability, Individuality, and Differences of Opinion
A mistake I see a lot of writers who write about disability make is asking only one person for help. I’ve heard so many people say things like, “I have a cousin who is blind, and she read the book and said it was good at portraying blindness.”
Discussion: What would you like to see more of?
In terms of disabled characters, what would our contributors like to see more of in children’s literature?