This Kid Can Fly: It's About Ability (Not Disability)

Gr 5–8—This memoir by a 14-year-old Tumblr artist and self-published author with cerebral palsy (CP) is both inspirational and amusing. Philip was born in St. John's in Antigua and Barbuda. When he was two years old, his motor skills were severely impaired, which caused him intense pain. To uncover what ailed him, his parents moved him to the United States, where he was diagnosed with CP. This condition posed an extreme challenge for Philip until he started intensive speech, physical, and occupational therapy. His family tried their best to give him a stable life over the years, despite many hurdles. Because Philip received better care in the United States, he remained there while his mother and father took turns staying with him (one parent would return to St. John's to look after Philip's younger brother, Aren). Poverty and homelessness took a toll on the boy's friendships and school life. Nevertheless, he maintained a close relationship with his brother, made new friends at summer camp, and created a successful and still active Tumblr blog, "Aaronverse," where he writes about his experiences with CP and the discrimination that those with disabilities face. Philip also dabbled in making kawaii art (a form of very cute Japanese artwork), which later led to him self-publishing his graphic novel, Tanda. The blog's visibility and appreciation gave him the chance to visit and present his work at the Tumblr headquarters. Philip is a courageous young person whose motivation, intelligence, and creativity come through easily.