And different certainly shouldn’t stop you from doing what you love and building a life that lets you thrive. Jamie: I hope we (kids and grownups alike) can see that different is special. What are some things that you hope readers (of all ages) take away from this story? The fact that kids can read your book and see themselves on the cover is amazing and so very needed. At the back of your book, you mention the statistic that 1 in 7 children are living with a disability.
I didn’t want Charlie to feel like a secondary actor in his own life! Kids like him need to be the hero of the story because every kid wants, needs, and deserves to be celebrated and seen.
There were a couple that had a child in a wheelchair as a side character, but they existed mainly as props for the main character. When he first began school, I looked in the library and noticed none of the books featured kids like him. My son Charlie who is nine, also has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. Kids are always curious how I came to write her. Jamie: That’s a great question and the first one I get when I do school visits because Ellie, the main character in Roll With It, has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. For readers new to your story, can you share a little bit about your inspiration behind it all? I recently had the chance to read your MG debut novel, Roll With It, and absolutely loved it! There is so much heart and depth to this book. I’ve been following along with your journey ever since your non-fiction motherhood book, Unbound. 52 Book Club: Hi Jamie, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview!