by Amie Darnell Specht and Shannon Hitchcock

Kate’s life is full of friends, family, Girl Scouts and gymnastics. She is a very active and positive 12 year old when she finds out that she has Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP), a rare genetic disorder that causes bone to form in places in the body is shouldn’t. She now finds herself no longer able to do her favorite sport. Her parents are found in tears and removing things in the home that may harm her without talking about it. Her friends are awkward around her and her Girl Scouts leader no longer wants her to come into her home because of liability and the possibility of being sued if she is injured. How will Kate navigate this new chapter in her life? How will her friends and family accept her new limitations and continue to love and care for her? How can she be her normal self when “normal” no longer seems possible?

This chapter book is based on the author’s own experiences with FOP and is a heartfelt, open and uplifting story of finding one’s self through adversity. I would recommend this book for elementary and middle school libraries.