It's All Or Nothing, Vale (juvenile literature)

     In her author's note for It's All Or Nothing, Vale Andrea Beatrix reminds us that we are all disabled or pre-disabled. For most of us who live long enough there will be an illness, an accident, or the onset of a chronic condition that will leave us challenged and transformed. 

     "It's hard, isn't it? When the things you thought made you you suddenly change?"

    Vale is only nine when her life is changed by an accident that leaves her with debilitating chronic pain. It takes very little to trigger it--stepping down too hard or a change in the weather. This drastically limits her range of motion and her capacity for sustained exercise, which is a serious challenge...

     ...because before the accident she was a rising champion in the fencing world who defined herself by her chosen sport, a commitment that left no time to develop other interests or friendships. 

     Now, despite medications and physical therapy, she suffers frequent bouts of intense pain and weakness. She can't exercise at the intensity she used to. When she finally return to fencing classes after four months away everything is so much harder. 

"My left ankle betrays me

and I want to punch it to attention because 

I wouldn't be surprised if everyone could hear it."

Not to mention she's been replaced as top student by a new classmate who doesn't even seem to care about her status. 

     And no one seems to understand that not gaining back her top ranking abilities would leave her feeling that she has nothing left.

     Told in intense free verse, It's All Or Nothing, Vale is the story of a girl when the thing that she thinks makes her her seems to be slipping away with nothing to replace it. It's a very engaging read, especially for the many kids experiencing similar challenges. 

On a purrrsonal note, yesterday I decided to see if Hannaford would have any half price Easter candy. They did. While I was there I checked out Goodwill. No graduation dress. But I did find pajamas, a Squishmallow, a cat 👕 , and a Beanie Boo cat who looks just like the one I got with Amber's gift card when Joann's went out of business only bigger. Remember that big adventure when I spent it for her and she insisted I get something for myself?

A great big shout out goes out to the Goodwill staff who keep it such a colorful, friendly, and inviting place to treasure hunt.

Jules Hathaway 

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