Theresa Golding

Abby has asthma, but she wants to run in the big race. Her dad is supportive, but suggests she try the pie-eating contest. Her doctor gives her advice, but says maybe she'd like to do the pie-eating contest. Jason, a boy in her class, teases her and tells her she'd be better off in the pie-eating contest. Abby is determined. She exercises, takes her medicine, and monitors her
coughing and wheezing. Finally the big day comes, Abby races past her friends and Jason and wins!

I know when I was in elementary school that lots of children had asthma. This story is a good one for introducing a common disorder to students. Asthma is very serious, but it doesn't have to prevent you from doing things. The pictures are bright. The lesson the book teaches is a good one. The words aren't too hard to read.

A teacher could use this story if someone in his/her class had asthma. The teacher could discuss asthma and other illnesses that effect children, like juvenile diabetes. Also the students could talk about things they felt could have held them back, but they overcame. Prehaps they have disabilities as well.… (altro)