Schneider Family Book Award should focus on disabled protagonists

Part of my studies in librarianship this semester involved advocating for a positive change in how libraries serve diverse populations. I chose to offer a suggestion for improving the Schneider Family Book Award, which honors “distinguished portrayal[s] of people living with a disabling condition” (ALA, 2024, p. 6).

Schneider Family Book Award acknowledges past missteps

This week, as an offshoot to my studies in librarianship, I reviewed the manual for a literature award that I am interested in, the Schneider Family Book Award. Presented each year by the American Library Association, this award recognizes books for children, middle-grade readers, and Young Adults “for their distinguished portrayal of people living with a disabling condition” (ALA, 2024, p. 6).

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard

This sunflower lanyard proclaims that the wearer has a hidden disability. During a recent trip to Lexington, Ky, I obtained a lanyard at Blue Grass Airport (as well a bracelet and a pin during a stop-over at Charlotte Douglas International Airport).
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LIS 5100 : Libraries and people with disabilities

In discussing the library as an institution, the Rubins address service to people who have disabilities. “The library community has recognized the needs of people with disabilities for many years” (Rubin, 2020, p. 100), but people with disabilities often face barriers to being able to access services.

‘Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic’

When I borrowed this book via Libby / Overdrive through my public library, it was the featured selection for “Big Library Read,” March 23 to April 13, 2020.

First, concerning the book itself, I found it entertaining. Michael McCreary pokes fun, in an engaging way, at himself and his own foibles — including the notion of whether he, in his early 20s, has accumulated enough life experience to be able to write a memoir.

The book is geared toward a young readership and I found it a quick and easy read, with more “technical” information presented in easy-to-digest formats.

‘Mascot’ by Antony John

First-person narration by main character Noah Savino kept this reader engaged. The story centers around an attempt to unmask “Fredbird,” official mascot for the St. Louis Cardinals, while addressing the challenges that Noah has to face while undergoing physical therapy from an auto collision that paralyzed him and also killed his father. The story is full of memorable and very detailed characters that populate Noah’s world; I think a lot of readers will relate to Noah’s concern about a new man in his mother’s life while Noah struggles to hold onto memories of his father and resolve feelings concerning the collision.

(I found an ARC of this title among books that were donated by a library vendor.)

‘The Storm Runner’ by J.C. Cervantes

Maya mythology forms the backdrop to The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes. It centers around teen protagonist Zane Obispo, who’s at the center of an ancient prophecy.

Zane is destined to release the Maya god of death and destruction from his prison in a dormant volcano. Desperate to do whatever it takes to protect those he cares about, Zane finds himself at the center of a war between Maya gods. As the adventure progresses, Zane comes to learn amazing revelations about himself.

A rich cast of supporting characters — some human, and some out of mythology — surround Zane on his quest.

‘Let’s Pretend We Never Met’ by Melissa Walker

I could intensely relate to the drama that is central to Let’ s Pretend We Never Met, seeing parallels from my own life with circumstances for the character of Agnes.

At Calistoga Elementery School and at Calistoga Junior/Senior High School, I was the weird girl, the person ostracized and shunned by the school population. There was no understanding for an autism spectrum when I was going to school, so my differences went unexplained.

Learning that the character of Agnes in this book is possibly autistic, made me interested in reading it. I’m interested in the ways that authors portray characters who are on the autism spectrum.

‘You’re Welcome, Universe’ by Whitney Gardner

I read this book through the lens of considering myself part of a street-art community, through the admittedly non-permanent medium of yarn-bombing. I appreciated the detail and nuance that went into the protagonist, Julia, assembling supplies, preparing stencils, and applying her art.

One area where I struggled to connect with the main character’s viewpoint was that when another artist modified her piece, she considered it in terms of being “shown up,” of the other artist declaring “war” on her. Another character, YP, even asks Julia, “Why does it have to be war?”

You’re Welcome, Universe was a 2018 recipient of the Schneider Family Book Award, which honors an author or illustrator “for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience.” I’ve long followed this award, as a person on the autism spectrum. The emphasis on art made this book, in particular, one that I especially wanted to read.

‘Rogue’ by Lyn Miller-Lachmann

Autistic representation matters to me in fiction, and the fact that this book’s author is, herself, on the autism spectrum made it even more appealing to read.

I found a lot to relate to with Kiara, the protagonist of this book. Like her, I struggled with making friends in school. I would pin my hope on new arrivals to the school, people not yet indoctrinated to the “norm” that I was to be ostracized and shunned — only to have them abandon me once they figured out that I was the kid no one liked.

Kiara’s desperation to make friends makes her vulnerable to bad influence.

A new boy, Chad, is forced by his parents to help them manufacture drugs. They set him or his little brother to keep look-out for them, hours at a time, in the park, even during extreme weather.

‘Autism and You: Learning in Styles’

As a person on the autism spectrum, I find it refreshing to find this subject addressed directly to the person who has autism, in this case, the student with autism.

(So many books are written addressing how others can cope with us, so I purposely seek to showcase books that are written for an autistic readership.)

With concise, clear language, Autism and You: Learning in Styles explains learning styles and preferences, and also helps identify environmental factors that might influence the student’s ability to learn. It’s a quick read, easily digestible, but worth returning to sections as-needed to put its information into practice.

‘Pinned’ by Sharon G. Flake

Update, March 11, 2018: I was able to connect with Scholastic, the publisher, concerning use of the phrase “confined to a wheelchair” in descriptive copy that appeared on the book’s back cover. (See my original review, below.)

I was told that Scholastic will change the phrasing for future printings of this book, and wish to express my appreciation to Scholastic for being receptive to concerns about ableism shaping how people with disabilities are perceived.

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My reaction was mixed to Pinned by Sharon G. Flake (Scholastic, 2014). I empathized with Autumn’s plight as she struggled to unlock reading, because one of the people closest in my life is dealing with a print-disability.

Publishers need input from people with disabilities

A while ago, I wrote that library staffing diversity needs to include autistic perspectives to help identify trouble-areas when evaluating materials for the library. Well, mainstream publishing houses are a frequent channel for disssemination of these resources — but a Diversity Baseline Survey conducted by Lee & Low stated that 92 percent of publishing-industry staff do not have a disability.
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‘Gabe & Izzy’ by Gabrielle Ford

As a survivor of bullying, I enjoy reading the accounts of fellow targets like myself, who devote their efforts to speaking out against bullying and raising awareness of how serious it is.

In Gabe & Izzy, Gabrielle Ford shares her experiences during middle- to high-school when she was bullied by classmates but bullying was not spoken of openly at her school. She didn’t know how to ask for help, or even which adult to talk to.

Having been diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia — which as it progressed affected how Ford was able to move and to walk — Ford exhausted herself with trying to appear “normal.”

When a dog named Izzy entered Ford's life, Ford was completely isolated, but Izzy’s own unique challenges helped Ford to become more involved with life again.

Written for young readers, this book is Ford’s generous gift to students who face bullying. Interspersed with her story are facts and suggestions about what is bullying and how to address it.

Disclosure of material connection: My taxes support local libraries’ acquisition of this and other resources. I consider the access I enjoy to be a “priceless” return on my investment.

Adults can offer valuable perspective on life with disability

“Autism Awareness” puzzle-piece ribbon magnet
Photo by Cynthia M. Parkhill

Parents often seek support from other parents when a child has a disability. Meriah Nichols advocates mixing blogs by adults with disabilities into a parent-blog reading routine.

Autistic students and college supports

From an informal survey and a discussion with Julia Bascom, executive director at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Kit Mead, writing for “The Establishment,” has determined that “many autistic students find themselves pushed out of student housing due to a lack of accessibility and support.”

Sunglasses in church

I am a member of the last “invisible generation” of people on the autism spectrum, who missed out on diagnosis in childhood because of at-the-time rigid criteria.

Church is largely a positive experience among people who accept me as I am. One glaring exception concerns a Sunday when my husband Jonathan was approached after the service by a man whom neither of us had encountered at church before. I decided to write about, to share, this experience with a group I encountered on Facebook: a supportive community for people touched by autism, who also have in-common the religious affiliation of which I am part.

To foster understanding, I am sharing it here but want to make clear that I am not singling out a congregation or group. Unwanted criticism can come from any source, in any situation. This just happened to take place at church.

NPR should track disabilities among staff diversity

National Public Radio ombudsman Elizabeth Jensen has released a look at diversity among NPR newsroom staff, encompassing race, ethnicity and gender. She also addresses diversity among on-air sources for Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

‘Accessing the Future,’ disability-themed SF

As a library professional, it matters to me that resources in the collection validate the experiences and reflect the diversity that exists among its readership. Science fiction, like other genres of storytelling, needs to advance this aim.

For this reason, Accessing the Future (Futurefire.net, 2015), is a vitally important addition to the diverse library collection. Edited by Kathryn Allan and Djibril al-Ayad, Accessing the Future explores issues of disability, accommodation and accessibility through speculative fiction and art. Its contributors provide unique and valuable perspectives in which characters with disabilities navigate future societies.

Keep Autism Speaks out of library-service discussion

As an autistic person who is beginning a library career, I was excited to read about Project PALS online training for library service to people with autism.