Ellie is a determined, feisty, smart, 12 yr old daughter of a hard working mum. She’s also the only one in her class in a wheelchair or with cerebral palsy. Ellie simply calls it cp and is very upfront about it with the reader. It gets her down, especially as she gets older and wants more privacy. But sometimes she still needs help in the bathroom and at school.

School isn’t exactly fantastic and she doesn’t really have any true friends to speak of, but the bus has a lift to accommodate her wheelchair, and the classrooms are set up so she can free-wheel into them. Life if not wonderful, is practical.

Ellie’s loves to spend her spare time baking, experimenting, and finding and trying new recipes. She’s not shy in writing to celebrity chefs either. When her mum learns that Ellie’s Grandpa’s dementia is worsening, it’s decided they need to go and help with his care.

Ellie is just as worried for Grandpa as her mum but she knows it will be a huge upheaval. Great, she thinks with more than a little sarcasm. I have to start again, at a new school where all the kids stare, or ask dumb questions. Ellie’s home is set out for ease of use in her wheelchair, but her grandparents live in a trailer by the lake. Space is short at the best of times when they visit every year. The last problem is that Mema (Ellie’s grandmother) doesn’t know they’re coming to stay.

Sure enough, as expected, the first day of her new school is a nightmare. There are no dumb questions however, but being completely ignored is even worse. At least until she meets two kids who stand out in their own way.

I really enjoyed getting to know Ellie and many of the characters in this book. Don’t let the cartoon of her on the cover fool you. There is lots going on in this book – Acceptance, Kindness, Frustration, Family fears and worries for a loved one with Alzheimers. There is also a frightening scene where Grandpa decides to take his future into his own hands, a clear ‘them and us’ mentality at school, and a struggle for kids to be their true selves.

Ellie’s friends are great. Bert is quirky, precise and brave despite bullies, and Coralee is loud, bright, outspoken and personally driven to be famous one day. Their interactions are often hilarious. Ellie’s baking exploits made me hungry and her no-nonsense-fight-for-Ellie’s-rights Mum is awesome. Sometimes this is a little too sweet, but overall is a great story about kids who just want to get on with it, and be who they really are without labels, misconceptions or prejudices.

Author – Jamie Sumner

Age – 11+

(2020, Harper Collins, Cerebral palsy, Alzheimers, Spectrum, Autistic, Trailer park, Prejudice, Expression, Family, Grandparents, Moving, Pageants, School, New kid, Wheelchair, Baking, Cockatoos, Acceptance, Fitting in, Friendship, Differences, Growing up)