Not So Different

October 9, 2017
Burcaw follows his YA memoir, Laughing at My Nightmare, with a picture book that offers an approachable and candid look at his life with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Throughout, he answers some common questions people have about his life and appearance, such as, “But how do you do things?” and “How does your chair work?” Burcaw’s responses usually include a touch of humor, but he’s always firm and clear; in response to the opening question, “What is wrong with you?” he says: “Absolutely nothing is wrong with me. I’m just a little different!” Carr’s photographs provide readers the opportunity to truly get a sense of Burcaw’s life while also creating a few opportunities for silliness—in one spread, Burcaw uses his wheelchair and rope to hoist his brother up to a basketball hoop (something the brothers attempted in real life, resulting in a broken motor). An author’s note includes a more in-depth medical explanation of SMA, as well as information about Burcaw’s nonprofit organization. Ages 6–9. Author’s agent: Tina Wexler, ICM. Photographer’s agent: Michael Ginsburg & Associates.

September 1, 2017

Gr 1-3-Burcaw answers the most common questions he gets about having a disability. He was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which makes his muscles grow weaker throughout his life and his body smaller as he ages. A range of questions, from "What's wrong with you?" to "How do you play with your friends," are answered in a concise yet thorough way. Burcaw takes a humorous approach towards each topic, such as comparing himself to a T. rex when discussing why his head is bigger than the rest of his body. Additionally, he describes his wheelchair as working with a joystick "sort of like a video-game controller." This ultimately serves to emphasize that though Burcaw may look different, he is a person whom kids can empathize with. The discussion of his family's help and how it feels to be made fun of will allow readers to more fully understand what it is like to live with a disability. The pages are visually pleasing, with brightly colored photographs of Burcaw accompanying bold graphics and speech bubbles. An author's note at the end goes into greater detail about SMA and Burcaw's work as a disability rights activist. VERDICT This slim book packs a punch and can serve as a good introduction for students about people with disabilities.-Kathryn Justus, Renbrook School, West Hartford, CT

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2017
Burcaw (Laughing at My Nightmare, 2014) answers the 10 most common questions kids ask about his disability, spinal muscular atrophy. When kids ask, "What's wrong with you?" Burcaw, a white man in his 20s, replies, "Absolutely nothing is wrong with me. I'm just a little different!" With humor and candor, he answers questions ranging from "Why is your head so much bigger than the rest of your body?" to "How do you play with your friends?" In addition to learning about SMA, readers will discover how Burcaw gets around, plays football with friends, and eats pizza just as they might, except with the aid of a motorized wheelchair and the physical assistance of his parents and brother, who help him with "almost everything." Though many of Burcaw's chatty, straightforward explanations are specific to his own situation, some are more broadly applicable, such as "Please ask me before you touch [my wheelchair]!" Carr's close-up color photographs illustrate Burcaw's explanations by highlighting their humorous aspects--his brother dresses him in a silly outfit, a large-headed T. Rex provides a pep talk--and emphasizing his family's closeness. Photos of family vacations and goofing around with friends remind readers that Burcaw is, indeed, "not so different" from themselves. An author's note provides a more complex explanation of SMA as well as background on Burcaw's nonprofit, Laughing at My Nightmare. A candid, approachable resource for curious kids. (author's note) (Informational picture book. 6-10)

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October 15, 2017
Grades 1-4 Shane Burcaw was born with a disease called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which means he uses a wheelchair and is just a little different. Here Shane openly invites the questions readers may have about him and other people with disabilities (Go ahead, ask me). The questions are posed in stark black-and-white speech bubbles on each pageWhat's wrong with you? How do you do things? Can you climb stairs?and answered with blunt clarity and humor. Shane explains how SMA has affected his body, how his parents and brother have to help him with almost everything, how his wheelchair works (and how he can pop a wheelie in it), and how cruel comments hurt his feelings. The book is illustrated with photographs in which we see Shane posed in comical tableaus in all sorts of everyday situations, such as riding his home elevator known as the Shane-o-vator, and flopped in the grass while playing football with his friends. Readers get to know him on many levels as really not so different at all.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)