Addy's Race

by Debby Waldman

Overview

Addy has worn hearing aids for as long as she can remember.

Her mother tells her this makes her special, but now that Addy's in grade six, she wants to be special for what she's done. When Addy joins the school running club to keep her best friend, Lucy, company, she discovers she is a gifted runner. Lucy isn't, which is problematic. Further troubles surface when Addy gets paired on a school project with Sierra, a smart, self-assured new classmate who wears a cochlear implant. Addy is surprised to discover hearing loss is all they have in common—and a shared disability is not enough of a foundation for a friendship. True friends support each other, even if they have different passions and dreams. More importantly, Addy comes to understand that she is defined by more than her hearing loss. She has the power to choose how people will see her, and she does.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781554699261
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	10/01/2011
Series:	Orca Young Readers
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	136
Lexile:	620L (what's this?)
File size:	758 KB
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

Debby Waldman is the author of a number of children's books including A Sack Full of Feathers Miriam’s Secret and has written for publications including People, Publishers Weekly, Sports Illustrated and Sports Illustrated for Kids. An educator, she has taught writing and journalism at Cornell University, Ithaca College, St. Lawrence University and Grant MacEwan University. Since 2011 she has been a writing advisor at the Academic Success Centre at the University of Alberta. She lives in Edmonton.

Read an Excerpt

My legs felt heavy. Now I understood why Lucy hated running. But I couldn't quit. I had to get to the finish line, and running would get me there faster.

Where were Stephanie and Emma? Probably at the finish. I pulled the corner of my shirt up to mop my face, and when I was done, I realized I was alone. Where was everyone else? Was I lost? Was I last?

Editorial Reviews

"Addy’s struggle for acceptance as she tries to ignore the questions and curiosity and sometimes downright ignorance of others is honest and inspiring. A lovely book."

Fernfolio blog

"Waldman has developed a main character who is truly believable...Debby lets readers get to know Addy by allowing readers access to her constant diatribe of thoughts on every event in the story. Hilarious! After working with this age level for many years, it is clear to me that author Waldman understands young people very well. Addy's Race is a story that will capture a young reader's interest and keep it because the story is so true to the thoughts, feelings and experiences of kids in upper elementary and middle school. Highly Recommended."

CM Magazine

Gr 4–6—Sixth-grader Addy, who happens to wear hearing aids, doesn't want pity. Her sarcastic tone comes through from the first line: "You would not believe how many people expect me to be like Helen Keller." The presence of a new girl with a cochlear implant and Addy's newfound passion for running spurs her to deal with her resentment of her mother's obsession with her hearing loss. She also faces universal concerns: wanting to run even though her best friend won't run with her, and dealing with bullies Stephanie and Emma. ("My grandmother would say they're like two peas in a pod. I hate peas.") Firmly set in Canada, the story contains some references that are likely to sail right over the heads of U.S. readers (Becel margarine, anyone?). Copious references to contemporary brands and entertainers (lululemon, Aritzia, Lady Gaga…) may quickly date the book—and that's a shame, because Addy's voice makes for a readable, relatable tale.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

School Library Journal