Jordan Reeves

Things I loved about this book:
Autobiography by a teen with limb difference -- youth voice, super positive messages about believing in yourself, about speaking up for others, about individuals' power to change the world. Jordan is an interesting, intelligent young woman, who isn't afraid to be straightforward about her challenges and her life. Very refreshing point of view, compelling storytelling, and a powerful message. Also, glitter.

Things that weren't my favorite:
There is a lot of show more gratitude in this book, and I appreciate that, because there is also a lot of privilege. I think it's amazing that this young woman is using her platform for advocacy and for good, but there are times in the book when I think -- must be nice to have a super supportive family, a super supportive community, a house by a lake and a summer retreat with your grandparents on the ocean. Must be nice to go to all those specialty camps and have the opportunity to design through grants and funding and the like. I suspect there probably are hardships/hard times/struggles that the book does not really address, and it's glaring at times.

This is meant as a very mild critique -- it's a great book, and it's ok to be a kid with a lot of great things in your life, but that spot in the middle, when it started to feel like opportunity after opportunity just rolls into her path (which seems like an oversimplification given that opportunities almost always come with a ton of work), I got kind of tired of all the great things -- and I wish there had been more of the end of the book in the middle -- the end of the book has a lot of direct talk to kids about embracing their differences and empowering their dreams, and I think it could have been more evenly spread out.

Looking forward to the changes Jordan and her family are fighting for in the world. show less

Born missing her left arm above the elbow, Reeves relates how she came to design a glitter-shooting prosthesis and start a nonprofit.

In her upbeat account, the middle schooler chronicles growing up in Columbia, Missouri, with a family who encourages her to “figure it all out,” enabling her to do everything her peers do and more. With and without a “helper arm” and task-specific hands, she plays everything from basketball to piano and attends mentoring and sports camps for kids with show more limb differences. Readers with disabilities will appreciate her humorous, candid approach to stares and recognize the “magical” understanding she finds among other limb-different kids. At the Superhero Cyborgs camp, she devises Project Unicorn, a glitter-shooting prosthetic arm, earning widespread fame; to involve kids with disabilities in design, she starts the Born Just Right organization. Unfortunately, Reeves’ clichéd assertion that “[t]he only thing that can stop us is our attitudes” rings somewhat hollow against her acknowledgement of various privileges that help her to feel “limitless,” such as her family’s ability to travel across the country. However, her enthusiasm for building an inclusive world where limb-different people can succeed “and it doesn’t have to be big news” is infectious. In a separate typeface, Reeves’ mom occasionally interjects her encouraging thoughts on parenting a limb-different child. Black-and-white photos appear throughout. Reeves and her family present white.

An affirmation that, with support and resources, kids with disabilities can shine—or sparkle. (Memoir. 9-adult)

-Kirkus Review show less

Jordan is an upbeat young teen sharing her story of being limb-different and her hopes and dreams of the future. This insightful story covers everything from exercising to grow and stay strong, dealing with people who stare at her difference, making friends, being with family, going to summer camps, furthering her interest in design, talking at conferences and advocating for more inclusive designs for people with limb-differences. A quick and fluid read. Add to the social issues bibliography.

This is a joyous celebration of how WE ARE ALL...BORN JUST RIGHT.
What follows between the pages is a chronicle (somewhat) of the life and times of Jordan Reeves (and mom!) as they tackle the world, one OPPORTUNITY at a time, while reminding people that it's not about what a person can't do, but the myriad of things they can...and how doors do open with just a bit of help from your friends/family!

If you manage to read through this one without feeling inspired, you are in some major funk my show more friends. we're all struggling to survive on this great big planet we call Earth, taking one day at a time as things spin truly south side of crazy...so why not let in a bit more LIGHT, a bit more JOY, and live with a bit more HEART? All it can do is lift us higher...and if we need help along the way, so be it; that's what we're all here for anyway. We're not suppose to just pass through life, but MAKE AN IMPACT.

A great read for kiddos just learning what life is all about as well as older readers that could do with a refresher course that'll fill your heart with sparkly goodness...just as Jordan intended.


**ARC received for review; opinions are my own show less