Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability

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. [em]Author’s agent: Tina Wexler, ICM. Photographer’s agent: Michael Ginsburg & Associates. (Nov.) [/em]