Personal & social issues: disability & special needs (Children’s / Teenage) – The Bell Bookshop

Giraffe and a half

Emma — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Giraffe and a Half believes her difference stops her from making friends, but can Bird and a Third help her to overcome her shyness?Giraffe and a Half has six legs and three ears, which is brilliant for dancing and listening, but not so good for making friends. But one day, playing on her own, she meets Bird and a Third, who knows that sometimes it’s our insecurities that hold us back the most. This delightful story will encourage children to embrace their differences.Based on Nicola Kent’s own experiences as a child with disabilities, and her belief that although ongoing health issues can bring many challenges to life, having lovely friends doesn’t need to be one of them.

We are all different

Emma — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

There are BILLIONS of wonderful ways to be human – as many ways as there are people on planet Earth. We Are All Different is an inspiring celebration of the fact that all of us are individuals, and has been created in conjunction with several Inclusive Minds Inclusion Ambassadors.

This vibrant, inclusive book introduces us to a cast of children who have different abilities and disabilities, likes and dislikes; who come from different places and have different cultures and ethnicities; and who have different family structures and gender identities. It reinforces that everyone has something to offer, that diversity enriches our lives, and it also considers what all human beings have in common – that there is more that unites us than divides us.

The book tackles the subject with warmth and humour, including speech bubbles and quotes from real children. The illustrations by Swedish illustrator Ãsa Gilland are full of character and charm.

Growing up autistic and happy

Emma — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

‘I definitely feel better about myself, about being me, after reading this book.’ – 11-year-old reader, Toppsta

Discover how scientific concepts can help navigate everyday human interactions, and help you grow up to be your HAPPIEST YOU!

As a child, Camilla loved patterns and putting things in order. She was obsessed with Stephen Hawking, and the only language she really understood was science. Diagnosed with autism aged 8, Camilla saw the world very differently.

But with science as her sidekick, she was able to translate ideas she could understand, such as photosynthesis and algorithms, onto things she couldn’t, such as dealing with emotions and finding your voice.

In this unique and brilliant book, Camilla shares her scientific survival guide to growing up, helping young readers navigate the world around them, giving them the courage to grow up perfectly happy in who they are.

The zoo inside me

Emma — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Sometimes we feel brave as a lion or shy like a mouse? and that zoo inside our heads can make us behave differently on the outside.Feelings can be hard to understand. You can’t see it, but this little boy is part mischievous monkey, part curious llama, and part chameleon, hiding from the world. It feels to him like there’s not enough room for all of those jumbling feelings inside, but the zoo in all of us makes us who we are – reaching out to the world from the part you can’t see. And sometimes, all it takes to make things right is friendship – and to realise that everyone else has a zoo inside them, too?This is a picture book that champions our emotions, feelings and behaviours in a way that makes them feel relatable and easier to understand.

See you on Venus

Emma — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The runaway romance now a major motion picture starring Virginia Gardner and Alex Aiono! Two teens embark on a journey to Spain to discover the meaning of love, death and everything in between in this star-crossed love story perfect for fans of The Fault in our Stars, Five Feet Apart and All the Bright Places.

Mia has had a heart condition her whole life. She’s not afraid of dying but something has always stopped her from her biggest fear: tracking down her biological mother in Spain . . . until now.

Kyle has always been the life of the party . . . that was until the car accident that killed his best friend. Now he’s willing to do just about anything to escape his reality.

After a twist of fate, Mia and Kyle meet and make the decision to travel to Spain together for a once-in-a-lifetime road trip. But what starts as a hunt for Mia’s mother soon turns into a whirlwind summer romance. Did the universe bind them together to change how they feel about love and death forever?

See You on Venus is a heartwrenching novel perfect for readers looking for:

Contemporary teen romance books
Complex emotional YA stories
Books to finish before or after seeing the film
TikTok favourites like If He Had Been With Me, Girl in Pieces and You’ve Reached Sam
Colleen Hoover books

Finding Phoebe

Emma — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000

‘Totally enchanting, warm and funny’ Ciara Smyth, author of Not My Problem’Neurodiversity has a voice, and it’s witty and uplifting and enlightening all at once’ Jasper Fforde, author of The Eyre Affair’A lovely book’ Graeme Simsion, author of The Rosie ProjectPhoebe is autistic. She prefers to stay in her comfort zone: walking her dog, writing fantasy fiction, surviving school with as few incidents as possible.When her best (and only) friend rebels and gets a secret boyfriend, Phoebe reluctantly agrees to cover for her. Before long, Phoebe’s dealing with all sorts of things she’d rather not, like deception, fashionable jackets, and the bewildering politics of the school chess club. Breaking the rules has never been Phoebe’s thing, but as events take a seriously unexpected turn, she realises there’s more to her than she ever imagined . . .

Sing if you can’t dance

Emma — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

An entirely original and much needed authentic perspective from a teenager coming to terms with her disability as she’s coming of age.

Ven has her future all planned out. Her dance group is going places and so is she . . . Then she collapses. On stage.

In hospital, Ven discovers that she has a medical condition – one that threatens to ruin everything. No more dancing . . . walking is challenging enough. But she doesn’t want your pity. Ven is determined to have a big, exciting life. Sure, her future might be different, but it’s not over . . . Because if you can’t dance, you can always sing!

Refreshing, uplifting and original, Sing if you Can’t Dance is the unforgettable story of a teenager living life on her own terms.

White bird

Emma — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

From the bestselling author of Wonder comes White Bird: now a major film starring Ariella Glaser, Orlando Schwerdt, Bryce Gheisar, Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson.

Sara Blum lives an idyllic life. But her world comes crashing down when the Nazi occupation arrives in her small French town, separating her from her parents and forcing the young Jewish girl into hiding. Sara’s classmate Julien and his family will risk everything to ensure her survival, and together, Sara and Julien manage to find beauty in a secret world of their creation.

Originally published as a graphic novel, and featuring characters from the multi-million-copy-bestselling phenomenon Wonder, Sara and Julien’s powerful, heartbreaking and timeless story is told here for the first time as a novel, and shows the power of kindness to change hearts, build bridges, and even save lives in the darkest of times.

Discover more from the World of Wonder:

White Bird, the original graphic novel
Auggie & Me
365 Days of Wonder
We’re All Wonders

And read more from R. J. Palacio with Pony, an unforgettable new story!

The stories grandma forgot (and how I found them)

Emma — Thu, 25 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

‘One of those books that truly makes the world a better place.’ Sophie Anderson, author of the House with Chicken Legs

From acclaimed poet Nadine Aisha Jassat comes a gripping mystery… “Grandma Farida is losing her memory – but I’m going to help her remember a huge secret.”

Twelve-year-old Nyla’s dad died when she was four, or that’s what she’s been told. So when Grandma Farida insists she saw him in the supermarket, Nyla wonders if she is ‘time-travelling’ again – the phrase she uses when Grandma forgets.

But when Grandma asks Nyla to find her dad and bring him home, Nyla promises that she will.

As Nyla sets out on her journey, she hopes that uncovering the past will help her to understand the mystery at the heart of her family … and to work out who she is.

A page-turning verse novel about memory and identity, and a bond that soars above all else.

‘A beautiful read about love, family, identity and worth.’ Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear

‘A tender story about the meaning of life and love and loss.’ Katya Balen, author of October, October