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proceduralbob's Reviews (291)
challenging
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
I read this book recently for the first time since I was in school. This was the first book I remember being allocated to read in school and analyse as a text, but the only thing I really remembered about that analysis was our teacher cautioning us that the title of the book does not refer to Jodie’s literal journey down to the dam, but to her journey through her disability.
If written today I’m sure some of the language used would be different, but it’s no surprise to me that this was inspired by Colin Thiele’s own experience of arthritis not just for the medical side of things (which I understand he had factchecked by a doctor) but because of the social aspects. Jodie must face people who don’t believe her or think she’s overreacting, people who don’t know how to treat her disability, people who well-meaningly don’t understand that she really is in daily pain, and people who offer unsolicited advice on how to manage her symptoms. All things that disability advocates today are still trying to get people to understand.
All in all, still stands as a solid children’s book about some serious issues and I would recommend it.
If written today I’m sure some of the language used would be different, but it’s no surprise to me that this was inspired by Colin Thiele’s own experience of arthritis not just for the medical side of things (which I understand he had factchecked by a doctor) but because of the social aspects. Jodie must face people who don’t believe her or think she’s overreacting, people who don’t know how to treat her disability, people who well-meaningly don’t understand that she really is in daily pain, and people who offer unsolicited advice on how to manage her symptoms. All things that disability advocates today are still trying to get people to understand.
All in all, still stands as a solid children’s book about some serious issues and I would recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
