Dancing in the Storm

November 6, 2023
Seventh grader Kate, who lives in Baton Rouge, has her hands full competing in gymnastics, navigating friend politics, and nursing a crush on her older brother’s best friend. Things get complicated further when shoulder pain after a gymnastics meet leads to a diagnosis of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, a rare genetic disorder that causes muscle and ligaments to become bone. Learning that stress, illness, or falls can cause flare-ups prompts Kate’s parents to pull her from gymnastics. As she struggles adapting to new life restrictions and the loss of her passion, Kate fears she will be perceived as different and worries about a future with decreasing mobility. While Kate’s family is supportive—they replace their trampoline with an FOP-safe pool and consistently validate her frustrations—it’s Amie, Kate’s 35-year-old mentor with FOP, who helps her process her feelings. In this empathetic novel of loss, resilience, and joy, Hitchcock (One True Way) and debut author Specht deftly balance Kate’s diagnosis with middle school drama, creating a deeply relatable telling in which community support and an openness to change lead to Kate’s hopeful visions of a brighter future. Kate’s dealings with FOP are candidly informed by Specht, who has FOP, according to an author’s note. Kate and Amie present as white. Ages 8–12.

December 1, 2023
A Louisiana seventh grader copes with a rare, progressive disease. Gymnast Kate Lovejoy should feel elated after winning a gold medal in a meet, but a persistent shoulder ache dims her happiness. Downplaying her pain, she blames her tears on her dog's recent death. But soon, the pain becomes too agonizing to ignore, and eventually, Kate is diagnosed with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, a genetic disorder in which muscles and connective tissue turn to bone. Because physical impacts can trigger flare-ups, doing gymnastics is no longer feasible. Her fellow gymnasts and Girl Scouts aren't sure how to act around her, and Kate's reluctance to disclose her diagnosis threatens her relationship with best friend Mindy. Kate has many fears: What if she'll require a wheelchair or need help with toileting? Fortunately, she's surrounded by supportive family and corresponds with a mentor, Amie--a self-insert of co-author Specht, who also has FOP. Kate and Amie's conversations simultaneously explore worries and challenges and offer reassurance and resources. As Kate gradually gains confidence, she discovers the perfect topic for her English essay on changing the world. Authors' notes explain that Kate's story is drawn from Specht's life, and it shows. Though the dialogue is occasionally somewhat stilted and the pacing slightly uneven, Kate's fear, loss, and anger are vividly portrayed, and others' awkward or ableist reactions ring painfully true. Kate and her family read white; secondary characters are racially and socioeconomically diverse. Educational and encouraging. (Fiction. 8-12)

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