themightyreaders

Have you ever read a book that you just relate to on a deeper level? That was me with “Breathe and Count Back from Ten”. The book is a young-adult novel that follows a Peruvian-American girl named Verónica who has a dream of being a professional mermaid. She also has hip dysplasia. Having cerebral palsy and problems with my hip, I really could relate to Verónica. She makes several poignant observations about disability in general over the course of the novel that makes this read on-point for even adults.

Here is the official synopsis:

In this gorgeously written and authentic novel, Verónica, a Peruvian-American teen with hip dysplasia, auditions to become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park in the summer before her senior year, all while figuring out her first real boyfriend and how to feel safe in her own body. Verónica has had many surgeries to manage her disability. The best form of rehabilitation is swimming, so she spends hours in the pool, but not just to strengthen her body. Her Florida town is home to Mermaid Cove, a kitschy underwater attraction where professional mermaids perform in giant tanks . . . and Verónica wants to audition. But her conservative Peruvian parents would never go for it. And they definitely would never let her be with Alex, her cute new neighbor. She decides it’s time to seize control of her life, but her plans come crashing down when she learns her parents have been hiding the truth from her—the truth about her own body.

I would definitely give this book 5 stars.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Happy reading! 📚

#themightyreaders #HipDysplasia

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ever since I saw the description, I have wanted to read it. It’s rare that there is a book about a health-challenged protagonist who competes in sports. Especially since the sport was swimming, I was intrigued, and this book did not let me down.

Tess is a teenager who swims competitively at her school. She is one of the top swimmers on her team. However, when her frenemy invites her to a sleepover and Tess has a seizure, her life seems to go downhill. She is diagnosed with epilepsy and eventually begins to learn what is really important in life.

My favorite part about this book is that Tess finds a way to do what she loves—swim—in spite of the obstacles her epilepsy presents. I think that’s a really important message that people with health challenges can still do what they love and achieve their goals, even if it looks different.

I also liked that the novel gives a lot of information about epilepsy without sounding like a textbook. The information is presented through Tess’ experience, which was really interesting. The novel was educational for me because I didn’t know much about epilepsy before I read the book.

The information about epilepsy was also very well-written because the author has epilepsy herself.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves swimming; there were a lot of references to the sport included. This was an inspiring read and I’m glad I read it.

Here is the synopsis:

In this slice-of-life, sensitively written novel, a teen girl grapples with a sudden epilepsy diagnosis, all while figuring out a new crush and an uncertain future. Seventeen-year-old Tess Cooper lives by three train hard, study hard, work hard. Swimming is her best chance at a college scholarship. It’s what her parents, her coaches, and even her best friend expect from her—and Tess can always deliver. Until tragedy strikes. Tess has a seizure, and her world suddenly becomes one of doctor visits, missed practices, and a summer job stuck behind a counter—not sitting high in the lifeguard chair like every year before. Instead, her spot goes to new guy Charlie. Sure, his messy hair and laid-back demeanor sends Tess’ heart racing, but this isn’t really the time. She’s got to focus on getting back in the pool—regardless of what her doctor or anyone else says.

📚 Happy reading! 📚

#themightyreaders #Epilepsy

This book was one of the best I’ve ever read that explored discrimination against invisible illnesses and ableism. It also was not just a romance, so I would recommend it for anyone who deals with an invisible illness.

The synopsis:

Isabel has one rule: no dating. It's easier—It's safer—It's better—for the other person. She's got issues. She's got secrets. She's got rheumatoid arthritis. But then she meets another sick kid. He's got a chronic illness Isabel's never heard of, something she can't even pronounce. He understands what it means to be sick. He understands her more than her healthy friends. He understands her more than her own father who's a doctor. Isabel has one rule: no dating. It's complicated—It's dangerous—It's never felt better—to consider breaking that rule for him.

#themightyreaders #RheumatoidArthritis #GaucherDisease

In honor of National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day, I wanted to share a book that’s been on my To-Be-Read List for a long time. “Cerebral Palsy: A Beauty To Be Discovered” is a book by Mighty contributor Tylia Flores! I can’t wait to read this book, and to Tylia, thank you for giving the CP community—and all of us— a story of self-love.
Here is the synopsis:
Bringing you the story of Tylia L. Flores, a multiple-time published author and disability activist, “Cerebral Palsy: A beauty to be discovered” tells how she conquered despite the many challenges and obstacles her condition brought to her. With a condition that society does not understand, she brings a whole new perspective to self-love.

📚 Happy reading & Happy National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day! 💚

#themightyreaders #CerebralPalsy @tylialflores

I read a very thought-provoking young-adult book about cancer lately, and I wanted to share it here. I like books that make me think, and I wondered if some of you are the same way.

Everyone has a fear of missing out on something—a party, a basketball game, a hangout after school. But what if it's life that you'll be missing out on? When Astrid learns that her cancer has returned, she hears about a radical technology called cryopreservation that may allow her to have her body frozen until a future time when—and if—a cure is available. With her boyfriend, Mohit, and her best friend, Chloe, Astrid goes on a road trip in search of that possibility. To see if it's real. To see if it's worth it. For fear of missing out on everything.

📚 Happy reading! 🧬

#themightyreaders #Cancer

The extraordinary life of Britain’s 100-year-old teenager. Hayley Okines is like no other 13-year-old schoolgirl. Born with the rare genetic condition progeria, she ages eight times faster than the average person. In medical terms her body is like that of a 100-year-old woman. Yet she faces her condition with immense courage and a refreshing lack of self-pity. In “Old Before My Time”, Hayley and her mum Kerry reflect on her unusual life. Share Hayley's excitement as she travels the world meeting her pop heroes Kylie, Girls Aloud and Justin Bieber and her sadness as she loses her best friend to the disease at the age of 11. Now as she passes the age of 13 ― the average life expectancy for a child with progeria ― Hayley talks frankly about her hopes for the future and her pioneering drug trials in America which could unlock the secrets of aging for everyone...

#themightyreaders #Progeria

I read a great book recently called “The Names They Gave Us”. It’s a young-adult book, but I would consider it a great read for adults as well. My grandmother had metastatic breast cancer, so I was really able to empathize with the characters.

When it all falls apart, who can you believe in? Everything is going right for Lucy Hansson, until her mom’s cancer reappears. Just like that, Lucy breaks with all the constants in her life: her do-good boyfriend, her steady faith, even her longtime summer church camp job. Instead, Lucy lands at a camp for kids who have been through tough times. As a counselor, Lucy is in over her head and longs to be with her parents across the lake. But that’s before she gets to know her coworkers, who are as loving and unafraid as she so desperately wants to be. It’s not just new friends that Lucy discovers at camp—more than one old secret is revealed along the way. In fact, maybe there’s much more to her family and her faith than Lucy ever realized.

#themightyreaders #BreastCancer #Cancer #Trauma #Christianity