The Chance to Fly by: Stacy Davidowitz and Ali Stroker

 

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This book came as a surprise to me. My younger niece shared it with me in hopes I would like it as much as she did.

Book Description

Thirteen-year-old Nat Beacon loves a lot of things: her dog Warbucks, her best friend Chloe, and competing on her wheelchair racing team, the Zoomers, to name a few. But there’s one thing she’s absolutely OBSESSED with: MUSICALS! From Hamilton to Les Mis, there’s not a cast album she hasn’t memorized and belted along to. She’s never actually been in a musical though or even seen an actor who uses a wheelchair for mobility on stage. Would someone like Nat ever get cast?

But when Nat’s family moves from California to New Jersey, Nat stumbles upon auditions for a kids’ production of Wicked, one of her favorite musicals ever! And she gets into the ensemble! The other cast members are super cool and inclusive (well, most of them)-- especially Malik, the male lead and cutest boy Nat’s ever seen. But when things go awry a week before opening night, will Nat be able to cast her fears and insecurities aside and “Defy Gravity” in every sense of the song title?

About Stacy Davidowitz and Ali Stroker

Stacy Davidowitz is a Manhattan-based author, playwright, and screenwriter. Her Camp Rolling Hills four-book series is published by Abrams – Amulet. Her plays include The Rubber Room (Old Vic; Naked Angels), PINK! (NYIT Nominee; Lark Finalist), Sacred Water (Rag and Bone), JOAN: Voices in the Fire (co-writer, The Guthrie), and Miracle Village (Stage Left). Her musicals include Hank & Gretchen, Camp Rolling Hills, and One Day. Her short plays have been produced at The Flea, Sam French, Williamstown, NYMadness, Amios, NYMF, etc. Stacy’s screenplay adaptation of The Rubber Room is in pre-production with All the Way Around. Published by Broadway Play Publishing, Indie Theater Now, YouthPLAYS, Steele Spring Stage Rights. Education: BADA; BS, Tufts University; MFA in Acting, Columbia University.

Did not find much on author Ali Stroker as she was not familiar to me so wasn't sure if I was just missing who she was. 

My Thoughts

I read this book with my niece and absolutely loved it.  As a fan of musical theater though I admit I'm not well versed in it I enjoyed the nod to it.

However more importantly was the theme of this book. As I said I read this with my niece a young girl who struggles with a learning disability. This book was the perfect read to inspire her. I love books that encourage not just kids but people in general to chase their dreams. 

I love Nat's independent spirit and her need to do what she loves. The diversity in the characters was a nice touch as well. This book opens a door for not only kids to look beyond their disability but also their parents and adults in their life.

We need more books like this that shine a light on what people can do with or without a disability.