Hill, Chelsie and Jessica Love. Push Girl. New York: Thomas Dunne Books, 2014.

Push Girl pressed most of the buttons for this librarian. Co-written by a “Push Girl” herself, this book tells the story of Kara and her senior year. Her life is changed in the blink of an eye when a drunk driver plows into the side of her car. When she wakes up 2 weeks later, she learns she is a quadriplegic. Over the course of her journey, she goes from feeling trapped in her wheelchair to feeling empowered by the freedom the chair gives her. She navigates friendships old and new, learns to process the “head tilt” that inevitably greets her, a new relationship with an old love, and the crazy politics of a run for homecoming queen,

Chelsie Hill a co author is herself a push girl. She was involved in an accident in her Senior year that left her paralyzed. She is active also in the TV series “Push Girls.” Because of her experiences, Kara’s story is heartbreakingly real. The reader experiences her wide range of emotions as she figures out her new reality. We are sometimes shocked and sometimes saddened, but always learning. Perhaps because the other author is a high school teacher, the teenage interactions ring true. While bits and pieces of the language may quickly become dated, these are far overshadowed by the genuine nature of the teen experience. My students will relate to Kara; hate Curt; root for Jack; and appreciate Amanda. Certainly they will enjoy the ever so slightly overly happy ending. Sometimes we all just love a happy ending!

The buttons? Kara is an overcomer. She experiences the unthinkable and certainly struggles, but ultimately becomes a champion, raising money and awareness for other folks in wheelchairs. Kids need to read inspiring stories like this. Also, because it is so grounded in real life, this will resonate with many of my students who like to feel that a story is “true.” And the happy ending - refreshing and lovely.