Zimmer, Tracie Vaughn. 2007. REACHING FOR SUN. New York: Bloomsbury Children's Books. ISBN 97859990377
2. Plot Summary
Josie is a seventh grader with cerebral palsy. She is the narrator giving the reader the insight of her year in seventh grade leading up to the next year of school. Josie lives with her mom and grandma on a farm that as been in their family for generations. Grandma loves plants and is very opinionated. Her mom works two jobs and is going to college. "Mom flies through the front door from her job waiting tables at the Lunchbox Cafe next to the Ford plant" (11). She expects Josie to work hard and do all her therapies and exercises to fight her cerebral palsy. She as never met her father. "I wonder if he ditched me and Mom when he found out about my disability..." (15). Josie just wants to be a normal girl and be excepted for who she is. A new boy Jordan moves into town and they quickly become friends. "A wedge of light and a boy slip through" (49). Josie is excited to have a friend to share her life with and to help her understand her family and herself.
3. Critical Analysis
This book has one illustration on the corner of the bottom right side of each page. In the beginning there is nothing on the pages, but as the story goes on and the main character changes the pictures goes from a seed to grow into a beautiful flower. If the reader turns the pages really fast it looks like a mini cartoon. This small illustration is a great way for the reader see how the character starts from nothing, becomes a seed, and than grows into a beautiful flower. The progress of the characters growth in the book is measured by the growth of the flower. Very interesting concept!
This book is written in free verse poems that begin in the fall and proceed through each season. Giving the reader a year of insight into the main characters life. The first poem in the story introduces the reader to the disability of the main character. "With my odd walk and slow speech everyone knows I've got special ed" (4). "But my thumb will always be pasted to my palm, and my left wrist and shoulder connected by an invincible rubber band called cerebral palsy" (6). The author provides an accurate picture of the character and her disability. The words in the book are appropriate and do not include any stereotypes. The book clearly depicts the feelings and what the character is struggling with in her life. "But I'm sick of spending all my time working on what's wrong with me. "I don't want to be pruned or pinched back like a wilting petunia" (80). The book is well written and creates a journey of growth that happen to the characters in the book. The main character is tired of all the therapy and just wants to enjoy her life, but doesn't know how to break the news to her mom. "I promise Mom I'll exercise and wear my brace more, but squeezing my courage, I add: "But I don't want to take speech or OT at school anymore" (154). Josie deals with her disability reasonable knowing that she will always have it, but that maybe she can not concentrate on it so much. The other characters in the story also grow and change with the main character to help her figure out who she wants to be. This is a wonderful story told just the right way about problems and growing up.
4. Review Excerpts
Schneider Family Book Award
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL says: "Through growing maturity and Granny's wisdom, she gains confidence in herself. Reaching for Sun will have wide appeal for readers of diverse ability. Reluctant readers will be attracted to the seeming simplicity of the text, with short chapters and lots of white space on the page. They may not even realize that they are reading poetry. More sophisticated readers will find added enjoyment as they begin to appreciate the poetic structure and imagery. Readers of all levels will enjoy spending time with Josie and may gain an increased awareness of what it's like to live with a disability."
BOOKLIST: "Written in verse, this quick-reading, appealing story will capture readers' hearts with its winsome heroine and affecting situations."
5. Connections
Great book for teaching poetry, learning about juveniles with disabilities, or a wonderful book to learn about finding yourself while growing up.
Other books about cerebral palsy and growing up:
Draper, Sharon. OUT OF MY MIND. ISBN 9781416971702
Koertge, Ronald. STONER AND SPAZ. ISBN 0763616087
White, Andrea. WINDOW BOY. ISBN 9781933979144
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