Debra Shirley

I enjoyed the read. The book describes how children may feel uneasy to befriend someone who is different than they are. As time goes on the child began to understand that her and the child with disabilities were very similar and shared interests. I also like that the books shares how adults can be uneasy or uncomfortable with children with disabilities but when they realize they share interests they are more willing to accept people who have differences.

This story shows all of the same things that two best friends have in common. They do almost everything together and have almost all the same interests, even though Sarah is in a wheelchair. Sometime people don't know how to approach Sarah, but with her outgoing personality she reminds them that she is just like them.
This book is very fun to read because it is written in rhyme. I also enjoyed the bright illustrations and think that children would too. I think the book did a great job of show more giving Sarah so much personality, just as she should have! This book would be good to read to younger children who do not understand or know much about people in wheelchairs. show less

NCLA Review - This delightful story begins with a young girl telling us why she and Sarah are best friends—they both like the same things and agree on almost everything except their favorite flavor of ice cream. They first met at school when their teacher asked the girl to show Sarah , the new girl, around school. When she first saw Sarah ’s wheelchair, she froze. Trying not to stare at the wheelchair, she looked all around until her eyes came to rest on a button on Sarah ’s vest that show more said “Rockhound”. “Do you collect rocks? I do too!” Sarah said, and that sealed their friendship. Shirley captures the small details of what it’s like to use a wheelchair as they do all the things that best friends do, including sleepovers with pillow fights and reading each others diary. They even go hot-air ballooning. This book will help children think about how we connect with one another through our similarities while still appreciating the differences that make us unique. The illustrations by Judy Stead capture the love of childhood friendship; everyone will want a friend on wheels! I like the humor, the realness of feelings, the message, and the illustrations. An excellent character building book to use for discussions on disabilities. Ages 5-8. Rating: 4 —BM . 32p, Albert Whitman 2008, $15.95 [E] show less

Sarah in, Best Friend on Wheels, was met by a classmate that was unsure of what to say or how to approach her because she used a wheelchair to get around. Her classmates found out that they had a lot in common and they eventually became best friends.
This book shows that you shouldn’t judge a person without first getting to know them.