Lupe, an eleven-year-old, who is partially paralyzed from an accident that occurred in her Mexican village realizes that her life can have purpose even though she is now disabled.

"Tiger's Fall," is an endearing story that honestly captures the experience of a special needs individual, and beautifully puts the experience through the eyes of a child. Lupe, who's nickname is, "Tigrilla Loca," becomes paralyzed from the waist down after falling from a tree. Lupe lives in a small village with her family and is highly irritated by her materialistic cousin, Angelica, who constantly talks about how wonderful the city is compared to the country during her week long visit to Lupe's home. Angelica had dared Lupe to climb the tree from which Lupe fell. After the accident, Lupe realizes that there is no one to blame, and the story continues to show Lupe and her family's challenges - paying for medical bills, Lupe's rehabilitation at PROJIMA, and her struggle between normalcy and disability.

The story provides the reader with the stark reality of living with exceptionalities in through several facets - financially, socially, domestically, and personally. The book is a perfect read for ages 9-12 and can be used in discussing the experiences of special needs children and their families. ( )

Part D Diversity

Bang, M. (2001). Tiger’s fall. New York: Henry Holt and Company.

Lupe lives in a small village. Her cousin from the city comes to visit and she cannot wait until the day she has to leave. But on that day, Lupe has a terrible accident. She falls from a tree and is paralyzed from the waist down. She can no longer run around, play, nor ride her father’s horse. Her happiness begins to fade when she is stuck at home with everyone feeling sorry for her. She begins to weaken from infections and she decides that she, as well as her family, would be better off if she just died. But her family loves her and they want the best for her. So they send her to a facility that teaches her how to live with her disability.
In this story, Bang shows the strength of one girl, and community of people, coming to terms with a disability. Lupe’s feelings of helplessness and anger begin to change when she realizes that people with disabilities can be successful. This encouraging and uplifting story shows the importance of never giving up. Ages 9-12. ( )

Bang, M. (2001). Tiger’s fall. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

Guadalupe or Lupe is nicknamed “Tigrilla Loca” (Crazy Little Tiger) because she is bold and courageous. One day, her cousin Angelica dares her to climb the haunted fig tree. Lupe fearlessly accepts the challenge. Lupe climbs the tree and stands high above the ground. But when she starts climbing down, she slips off a branch and falls. Lupe discovers that she cannot move. She is paralyzed from the waist down. From that point, her life forever changes. Her family sells most of their possessions to pay for the hospital bills. Eventually, Lupe moves into a rehabilitation center for persons with disabilities.

The author Molly Bang based the story on Project of Rehabilitation Organized by Disabled Youth of Western Mexico (PROJIMO). PROJIMO is a health care facility located 80 miles north of Mazatlan. Bang visited PROJIMO and found the girl who inspired her to create the character Lupe. Tiger’s Fall is well written. It provides an honest depiction of those with physical disabilities. Bang does not exaggerate the pain and obstacles Lupe experiences. In the story, for the most part, Lupe feels alone, sad, angry, rejected, and hopeless. She cannot understand how cripple people can be happy. Toward the end of the story, however, Lupe begins to accept her physical disability and starts to help others. I really enjoyed this book because it is extremely powerful. It is appropriate for grades three through fifth grade.