Twelve-year-old Emmie loves adrenaline. She repeatedly launches herself—in her “raggedy” wheelchair—off the quarter-pipe her dad cobbled together in their backyard. She’s looking for that “one glorious, wind-rushing moment.” And to work on sticking the landing.
Born with a spinal cord that’s got a “design glitch,” Emmie runs an online business sewing custom-made wheelchair accessory bags to raise money to fulfill her dream of owning a new, “high-end, multi-link-suspension stunt chair,” and she refuses to let anything slow her down.
When a fall on a non-ADA compliant ramp causes the school to overreact and assign her an aide, Emmie is mortified. Her mom used to be her biggest advocate, but since Mom died, Emmie and her dad have had to make do all by themselves. And when the town decides that buying her dream wheelchair will be a great fundraising (and PR) opportunity, Emmie is stuck between feeling excited she’ll get her chair sooner and not wanting to be a “cause.”
Secondary characters, including next door neighbor, co-conspirator, and best friend Ale, along with “rodeo prince” Devontae, spring to life. Everything about this multi-layered mid-grade is a joy to read.
--Lynn
An excellent and accurate book review.
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