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A review by myntop
A Step Toward Falling by Cammie McGovern
5.0
This book was so wonderful, and so necessary. I love all the different themes and lessons contained in this one thought provoking story.
The story is told through the two main female character's perspectives. One, a neurotypical student who witnesses something happening to the other, a special needs student and freezes, doing nothing about it. There was another witness who doesn't act either, and both end up being "punished" by being made to volunteer at a center for adults with special needs. I love how the two neurotypical students grew and learned through their volunteering. I also love how both felt such guilt and remorse over what had happened to get them into that position.
Belinda, the student with special needs, has some chapters from her POV as well and I loved these most of all. I could tell the author really put some thought and research into how her thought process might have gone. It felt genuine and authentic. While I am not a parent of a child with special needs, I both work and volunteer with students like Belinda.
The best part for me, was the blossoming friendships between not only the two neurotypical students, but also between them and Belinda, and between Belinda and another student with special needs. Also, just the way the students got so much out of the volunteering process. They truly put themselves out there and got to know those other individuals and found that they really enjoyed going to the class and helping. It was easy for me to imagine both of them continuing to volunteer after their punishment had been served.
If you're looking or a book with neuro-diverse characters and a heart warming story, this is definitely the book for you.
The story is told through the two main female character's perspectives. One, a neurotypical student who witnesses something happening to the other, a special needs student and freezes, doing nothing about it. There was another witness who doesn't act either, and both end up being "punished" by being made to volunteer at a center for adults with special needs. I love how the two neurotypical students grew and learned through their volunteering. I also love how both felt such guilt and remorse over what had happened to get them into that position.
Belinda, the student with special needs, has some chapters from her POV as well and I loved these most of all. I could tell the author really put some thought and research into how her thought process might have gone. It felt genuine and authentic. While I am not a parent of a child with special needs, I both work and volunteer with students like Belinda.
The best part for me, was the blossoming friendships between not only the two neurotypical students, but also between them and Belinda, and between Belinda and another student with special needs. Also, just the way the students got so much out of the volunteering process. They truly put themselves out there and got to know those other individuals and found that they really enjoyed going to the class and helping. It was easy for me to imagine both of them continuing to volunteer after their punishment had been served.
If you're looking or a book with neuro-diverse characters and a heart warming story, this is definitely the book for you.