
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the friction between their physical reality and their internal ambitions. It is an ideal choice for parents of teens who feel defined by a label, such as a disability or a specific social status, and are looking for a way to voice their own complex identities. The story follows Ben, a high schooler with cerebral palsy, as he navigates the high-pressure world of filmmaking and the confusing waters of two very different romantic interests. Koertge uses sharp, unsentimental humor to explore deep themes of self-worth, the weight of family expectations, and the difference between love and gratitude. While the language and situations are authentic to the high school experience, the book offers a profoundly humanizing look at life with a disability, making it a powerful tool for building empathy and self-assurance. It is best suited for mature readers aged 14 and up due to its realistic portrayal of teen life and substance use themes.
Exploration of teen relationships, attraction, and emotional intimacy.
Themes of loneliness and the difficulty of living with a chronic physical condition.
Frequent references to drug use and addiction regarding the character Colleen.
The book addresses physical disability (CP) with a direct, secular, and often biting approach. It also deals with substance abuse (Colleen) and class distinctions. The resolution is realistic rather than perfectly neat, focusing on internal growth rather than a magical fix for external problems.
A 15-year-old artist or filmmaker who feels like an outsider and is struggling to balance who they want to be with the labels others put on them.
Parents should be aware of the frank language and references to drug use. Preview the scenes involving Colleen's erratic behavior to discuss the reality of addiction with your teen. A parent might see their teen pulling away, using self-deprecating humor to mask insecurity, or choosing friends that seem self-destructive.
Younger teens will focus on the romance and the 'cool' factor of filmmaking. Older teens will resonate more deeply with Ben's existential questions about whether people like him for the right reasons.
Unlike many 'disability books' that are overly sentimental, this is caustic, funny, and refuses to treat its protagonist as a saint or a victim.
Ben Bancroft is a high school student with cerebral palsy (CP) who finds his voice through filmmaking. As a sequel to Stoner and Spaz, the story picks up with Ben navigating his complicated relationship with Colleen, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks with a drug habit, and A.J., a high-achieving student who shares Ben's passion for cinema. Ben must decide if he is choosing people based on who they are or how they make him feel about his disability.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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