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Summary
Summary
Not So Different offers a humorous, relatable, and refreshingly honest glimpse into Shane Burcaw's life. Shane tackles many of the mundane and quirky questions that he's often asked about living with a disability, and shows readers that he's just as approachable, friendly, and funny as anyone else.
Shane Burcaw was born with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy, which hinders his muscles' growth. As a result, his body hasn't grown bigger and stronger as he's gotten older--it's gotten smaller and weaker instead. This hasn't stopped him from doing the things he enjoys (like eating pizza and playing sports and video games) with the people he loves, but it does mean that he routinely relies on his friends and family for help with everything from brushing his teeth to rolling over in bed.
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2017
Author Notes
Shane Burcaw is a twenty-three-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy. He lives in Bethlehem, PA with his family, and runs a blog and eponymous nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money for muscular dystrophy research.
Matt Carr is an award-winning visual storyteller with a background in photojournalism and a penchant for delivering honest, believable, and beautifully lit scenes. His photography has been published in The New York Times , Entertainment Weekly , and Rolling Stone among other publications, and he has been recognized by American Photo , Hasselblad Masters , PDN , IPA , and Communication Arts . After 10 years working in London and Prague, Matt now lives in Brooklyn with his wife and their spirited 4-year-old daughter.
Reviews (5)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Burcaw follows his YA memoir, Laughing at My Nightmare, with a picture book that offers an approachable and candid look at his life with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Throughout, he answers some common questions people have about his life and appearance, such as, "But how do you do things?" and "How does your chair work?" Burcaw's responses usually include a touch of humor, but he's always firm and clear; in response to the opening question, "What is wrong with you?" he says: "Absolutely nothing is wrong with me. I'm just a little different!" Carr's photographs provide readers the opportunity to truly get a sense of Burcaw's life while also creating a few opportunities for silliness-in one spread, Burcaw uses his wheelchair and rope to hoist his brother up to a basketball hoop (something the brothers attempted in real life, resulting in a broken motor). An author's note includes a more in-depth medical explanation of SMA, as well as information about Burcaw's nonprofit organization. Ages 6-9. Author's agent: Tina Wexler, ICM. Photographer's agent: Michael Ginsburg & Associates. (Nov.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
The author of the YA memoir Laughing at My Nightmare, who was born with spinal muscular atrophy, answers ten questions he's commonly asked, from "How does your [wheel]chair work?" to "Do people ever make fun of you?" His responses are candid and relatable. Colorful backgrounds, clear photographs (occasionally manipulated for humorous effect), and vibrant typography add to the book's accessibility for younger readers. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Shane Burcaw was born with a disease called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which means he uses a wheelchair and is just a little different. Here Shane openly invites the questions readers may have about him and other people with disabilities (Go ahead, ask me). The questions are posed in stark black-and-white speech bubbles on each page What's wrong with you? How do you do things? Can you climb stairs? and answered with blunt clarity and humor. Shane explains how SMA has affected his body, how his parents and brother have to help him with almost everything, how his wheelchair works (and how he can pop a wheelie in it), and how cruel comments hurt his feelings. The book is illustrated with photographs in which we see Shane posed in comical tableaus in all sorts of everyday situations, such as riding his home elevator known as the Shane-o-vator, and flopped in the grass while playing football with his friends. Readers get to know him on many levels as really not so different at all.--Chaudhri, Amina Copyright 2017 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Burcaw answers the most common questions he gets about having a disability. He was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which makes his muscles grow weaker throughout his life and his body smaller as he ages. A range of questions, from "What's wrong with you?" to "How do you play with your friends," are answered in a concise yet thorough way. Burcaw takes a humorous approach towards each topic, such as comparing himself to a T. rex when discussing why his head is bigger than the rest of his body. Additionally, he describes his wheelchair as working with a joystick "sort of like a video-game controller." This ultimately serves to emphasize that though Burcaw may look different, he is a person whom kids can empathize with. The discussion of his family's help and how it feels to be made fun of will allow readers to more fully understand what it is like to live with a disability. The pages are visually pleasing, with brightly colored photographs of Burcaw accompanying bold graphics and speech bubbles. An author's note at the end goes into greater detail about SMA and Burcaw's work as a disability rights activist. VERDICT This slim book packs a punch and can serve as a good introduction for students about people with disabilities.-Kathryn Justus, Renbrook School, West Hartford, CT © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Burcaw (Laughing at My Nightmare, 2014) answers the 10 most common questions kids ask about his disability, spinal muscular atrophy. When kids ask, "What's wrong with you?" Burcaw, a white man in his 20s, replies, "Absolutely nothing is wrong with me. I'm just a little different!" With humor and candor, he answers questions ranging from "Why is your head so much bigger than the rest of your body?" to "How do you play with your friends?" In addition to learning about SMA, readers will discover how Burcaw gets around, plays football with friends, and eats pizza just as they might, except with the aid of a motorized wheelchair and the physical assistance of his parents and brother, who help him with "almost everything." Though many of Burcaw's chatty, straightforward explanations are specific to his own situation, some are more broadly applicable, such as "Please ask me before you touch [my wheelchair]!" Carr's close-up color photographs illustrate Burcaw's explanations by highlighting their humorous aspectshis brother dresses him in a silly outfit, a large-headed T. Rex provides a pep talkand emphasizing his family's closeness. Photos of family vacations and goofing around with friends remind readers that Burcaw is, indeed, "not so different" from themselves. An author's note provides a more complex explanation of SMA as well as background on Burcaw's nonprofit, Laughing at My Nightmare. A candid, approachable resource for curious kids. (author's note) (Informational picture book. 6-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
