Book #2 Keep Your Ear on the Ball

	Related Information	Comments
Name of Book:	Keep Your Ear on the Ball
Author	Genevieve Petrillo
Illustrator	Lea Lyon
Publisher	Tilbury House, Publishers
Year of Pub:	2007
ISBN:	978-0-88448-296-3
Age range	6-10 (or even older)
Type of Disability	Blindness
Fiction or Nonfiction	Fiction
Category:  B A)books that provide factual information about a disability B) books that provide information about a disability in a story format in which the character with a disability is integral to the plot C) books that provide stories that have a character with a disability who may or may not be integral to the storyline and who has been added to the story to achieve diversity and reflect reality
Annotation Davey is the new kid in class. He’s typical in every way, except that he is blind. Eager to assist Davey in any way they can, the other students ask whether they can help him get around and complete the activities. But Davey, determined to show them he can do everything himself, gives the same answer every time:  “Thanks, but no thanks.” They get the hint and stop asking how they can help him. But during recess, it’s time to play kickball, and Davey keeps missing the ball or running into people. Nobody wants him on the team. The kids’ moods are low until one of them comes up with a plan.  Through innovation and determination, they provide Davey with the tools he needs to play the game. And most important, Davey is able to maintain his independence and dignity AND learn how to accept what others have to offer. Vivid, realistic, portrait-like illustrations.
Link to publisher:	http://tilburyhouse.com/childrens/keep-your-ear-on-the-ball.htm
Links to professional reviews:	http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/990363.Keep_Your_Ear_on_the_Ball
Awards:	Moonbeam Award (bronze), 2008; http://www.moonbeamawards.com/

                       

Standards for Quality Portrayal of Characters with a disability		Comments
1. Promotes empathy not pity	Yes
2. Promotes acceptance, not ridicule	Yes
3. Emphasizes success rather than, or in addition to failure	Yes
4. Promotes positive images of persons with disabilities or illness	Yes
5. Assists children in gaining accurate understanding of the disability or illness	Yes	The book jacket provides information about the real person who was the inspiration for the character (David DeNotaris) and about assistive technology used today by students with visual impairments.
6. Demonstrates respect for persons with disabilities or illness	Yes
7. Promotes attitude of  “one of us” not “one of them.”	Yes	Especially so!
8. Uses people-first language	Yes
9. Describes the disability or person with disabilities or illness as realistic (not subhuman or superhuman)	Yes
10. Depicts people with disabilities as more similar to than different from other people	Yes	Absolutely.
11. Shows peoples’ strengths and abilities along with their disabilities	Yes
12. Represents characters as strong, independent people who others can admire or learn from	Yes	The illustrations play a major role here.
13. Represents people with disabilities from different racial and cultural backgrounds, religions, age groups, and sexual orientations	No	Character is white. Classmates are culturally diverse.
14. Shows people with disabilities in integrated settings and activities	Yes
15. Shows people with disabilities in valued occupations and diverse roles.	Yes
16. Shows people with disabilities in reciprocal relationships	Yes
17. Main character develops and grows emotionally as a result of what happens in the story	Yes	This is a main point of the book.

Watch for an interview with the illustrator, Lea Lyon!