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kristinajean's review
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
A great middle grade novel about ableism, accessibility and standing up for what you need.
Twelve year old Emmie was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair. She has wheelchair motocross dreams and is trying to raise money for a new chair but when she has an accident at school she gets assigned an aid she doesn't want or need.
Then when the school offers her money for a new chair she decides she'd rather have them put it towards making the school more accessible for everyone. Good on audio narrated by Sandy Rustin and recommended for fans of books like Roll with it by Jamie Sumner and The chance to fly by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz.
Twelve year old Emmie was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair. She has wheelchair motocross dreams and is trying to raise money for a new chair but when she has an accident at school she gets assigned an aid she doesn't want or need.
Then when the school offers her money for a new chair she decides she'd rather have them put it towards making the school more accessible for everyone. Good on audio narrated by Sandy Rustin and recommended for fans of books like Roll with it by Jamie Sumner and The chance to fly by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz.
blogginboutbooks's review
4.0
AIR is an upbeat, empowering, and engaging story that teaches lots of valuable lessons without being preachy or heavy-handed. Emmie is a strong, capable, and confident heroine. She may be in a wheelchair, but that doesn't stop her from doing lots of amazing things like running a successful online business, helping her dad in his auto shop, playing sports, performing daring stunts, etc. She has a strong voice, reminding readers that just because someone is wheelchair bound, it doesn't make them weak, dumb, or incompetent. Although I didn't find her super likable (in fact, she's a self-centered brat at times), Emmie is sympathetic and has a strong voice. While I really liked Emmie's strength and capability, they also made it so I didn't worry about her achieving her goals, which made her story less compelling for me than it would have been otherwise. I didn't have to root for her because she didn't need me to. She never really struggled to achieve her goals, so I didn't have to worry. I definitely would have been more invested in her plight if it felt a little less possible. I also felt like Emmie and her friends talked and acted much older than 12, which made them feel less authentic to me.
Roe's writing is engaging, so AIR feels both approachable and entertaining. It moves along swiftly, making for a quick, immersive read. I also enjoyed learning about the history of educational access for those with disabilities as well as simple etiquette for interacting with people in wheelchairs. Very enlightening.
All considered, I ended up liking AIR but not loving it. If I could, I'd give it 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I rounded up.
Roe's writing is engaging, so AIR feels both approachable and entertaining. It moves along swiftly, making for a quick, immersive read. I also enjoyed learning about the history of educational access for those with disabilities as well as simple etiquette for interacting with people in wheelchairs. Very enlightening.
All considered, I ended up liking AIR but not loving it. If I could, I'd give it 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I rounded up.
annalisenak97's review
5.0
Fabulous. I loved every character, and I loved the unapologetic message that every kid should have the resources that serve them best, not ones that impede them. The writing was so incredibly strong and the sass in this book was unparalleled. Emmie is a superstar-- full of strength and moxie and determination.
feralgreen's review
5.0
Devoured it. Had me hooked from the start, just as eager to read as she is to grab air.
ellbo_oks333's review
3.0
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for providing the E-ARC of this book.
The writing is awesome, and I believe that we need more positive books about people with different abilities. It educates people how to respond thoughtfully as well, thus teaching children to respond thoughtfully. I liked how Emmie and her teacher's conversation mention that many of the reforms we have today aren't that long ago. The book gives you a strong sense of victory and belief that even though we're young, we can still fight for reform.
The writing is awesome, and I believe that we need more positive books about people with different abilities. It educates people how to respond thoughtfully as well, thus teaching children to respond thoughtfully. I liked how Emmie and her teacher's conversation mention that many of the reforms we have today aren't that long ago. The book gives you a strong sense of victory and belief that even though we're young, we can still fight for reform.
melbsreads's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Trigger warnings: ableism, death of a parent (in the past), grief
A delightful middle grade story about a kid with spina bifida who desperately wants to do wheelchair motocross, but doesn't have a suitable wheelchair. Emmie was a fabulous protagonist and I really enjoyed her voice. I also liked her slow realisation that the fundraiser the school holds is less about supporting her and her dreams and more about turning her into inspiration porn for the able-bodied community.
It was perhaps a little TOO fast paced at some points, but on the whole it was really well done and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author's note about IEPs/ILPs and including students in those was great too.
A delightful middle grade story about a kid with spina bifida who desperately wants to do wheelchair motocross, but doesn't have a suitable wheelchair. Emmie was a fabulous protagonist and I really enjoyed her voice. I also liked her slow realisation that the fundraiser the school holds is less about supporting her and her dreams and more about turning her into inspiration porn for the able-bodied community.
It was perhaps a little TOO fast paced at some points, but on the whole it was really well done and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author's note about IEPs/ILPs and including students in those was great too.
alaspooriorek's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
creativitea's review against another edition
3.75
Interesting and fun book. Despite the author being able bodied, feels accurate to the wheelchair user experience. Reads young but it IS a middle grade novel so that makes sense. Fun, enjoyable read.
321zeggy's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Air is an an excellent story about standing up against ableism, working through grief, and just navigating the challenges of being a kid.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Death of parent