Abby's Asthma and the Big Race

April 1, 2009
K-Gr 2-Abby's goal is to run the big race at the fair this year. She thinks that she is fast enough to win, but she faces one major problem. She has asthma. Some of the kids in her class tease her because she can't run. In addition, she has an asthma attack after playing soccer during gym class. While practicing for the race, she often has to take puffs of her inhaler. Her teacher, father, and school nurse suggest that she enter the pie-eating contest instead, but her doctor encourages her to participate in the race with a reminder to warm up beforehand and to take her medicine every day. She becomes discouraged when she starts wheezing at the health club, but one of the trainers helps her and she attains her goal. The soft, colorful illustrations depict Abby's determination to not only run in the race, but also to win. This book helps explain asthma to children in a nonthreatening, easy-to-understand manner. The last page offers an explanation from a doctor about asthma and exercise."Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2009
Grades K-3 Abby likes to run. Her legs are long and fast, but sometimes her breath is short. Theres a big race at the fair in August, and shes training for it, but whenever she tells someoneher dad, her teacherthey try to get her to enter the fairs pie-eating contest, instead. As the story progresses, Abby is shown having successes (making a goal in a soccer game after being teased), and some downturns (having an asthma attack in school). During a checkup, Dr. Allison tells Abby that when it comes to the race, she should go for it! So Abby keeps training and not only finishes the race, she wins it. This is a purposeful book, but freckle-faced Abby is an appealing heroine whom readers will root for. This does show the uncertain course that asthma can take, but the resolution, for many asthma sufferers, may be too upbeat. Still, this is a hopeful offering, and the endnote by a pediatrician offers some basic facts.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)