Down Syndrome Out Loud: 20+ True Stories to Change Your Mind About Disability

by Melissa Hart, Maria Perera (Illustrator)

Overview

"In a society that often overlooks those with intellectual and developmental disabilities…this book will inspire readers to befriend and champion people with Down syndrome." – JACQUELINE JODL, Special Olympics International

In this illustrated biography collection, meet over twenty people with Down syndrome who have accomplished amazing things in their lives. Excelling in film, sports, business, photography, and more, these people are changing hearts and minds about their disability. Read about Chris Nikic, the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman Triathlon, and Isabella Springmuhl Tejada, the first designer with Down syndrome invited to showcase her work at London Fashion Week. Learn about the Special Olympics, Best Buddies, and other organizations who support the Down syndrome community. Each of these stories will educate and inspire young readers, both kids with Down syndrome and their family members, friends, classmates, and teammates!

Included in this book:

AC Heigel

Alex Bourne

Alex Lee

Allison Fogarty

Chris Nikic

Christine Lau

Geoffrey Mikol

Grace Key

Grace Strobel

Isabella Springmuhdi Tejada

Jamie Brewer

Jared Kozak

John Cronin

John Tucker

Kayla McKeon

Madison Trevlin

Meg Ohsada

Michael Holton

Nick Doyle

Ronnie Brown

Sofia Sanchez

Tommy Jessop

Yulissa Arescurenaga

Zack Gottsagen

Special Olympics

Best Buddies

National Down Syndrome Society

The Buddy Walk

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781464216695
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	06/03/2025
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	7.25(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.57(d)
Age Range:	8 - 14 Years

About the Author

Melissa Hart grew up in Los Angeles with her younger brother, Mark, who has Down syndrome. She’s the author of two novels for middle-school readers—Avenging the Owl and Daisy Woodworm Changes the World—both of which have main characters with Down syndrome. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Smithsonian, Slate, CNN, and many other publications. She’s the author of Better with Books: 500 Diverse Books to Ignite Empathy and Encourage Self-Acceptance in Tweens and Teens. Melissa lives in Oregon with her husband and daughter, plus one dog, five cats, and four chickens. She’s an Oregon Master Naturalist and loves to kayak, hike, bicycle, and cross-country ski. To learn more about Melissa, please visit www.melissahart.com.

María Perera was born in Gijón, a small town in the north of Spain. At a very young age she found out that there are few things in life she enjoyed as much as listening to The Beatles and drawing. When she grew up she graduated in Art History at the University of Oviedo and soon after she studied Graphic Design at the Art School of Avilés. Nowadays she still listens to The Beatles and feels fortunate to be able to do what she loves the most for a living: illustration.