Review: Touching & Empowering. It Will Touch Your Heart.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 21, 2014
Rating: 4.5 starsMaybelle Dawson is a teenager yearning for a normal life while struggling with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a rare disease that can manifest in many ways including chronic pain and illness. She wants friendship and love based on who she is and not what she suffers from, a life without pity.When Malach, the new kid in town, shows a genuine interest in being her friend, Maybelle is thrilled. Plus, there's the boy next door, Nick--a boy that's known her forever, but is suddenly seeing her in a new light. She's even making new friends. But just as she's enjoying some normalcy, including a memorable Homecoming night, she suffers another blow. Will she ever have the life she's always dreamed about?This book really touched me. It's hard for any teenager to define themselves. Even harder when they have a condition that brands them before they can figure it out. Then add to that missing school for flare ups and symptoms. Maybelle is fortunate to have her mother and cousin fighting for her, as well as Nick and Malach. But even her grandmother, who clearly loves Maybelle, struggles to understand what she goes through and why she can't simply overcome it.At its heart, A Zebra Like Me is a poignant story about wanting to fit in and be loved--something we can all relate to. It's also about learning to love yourself and accept what you cannot change, to live within the parameters of your path while still enjoying the beautiful journey of life. Maybelle's story is touching, but empowering.As if that wasn't enough, there's a sweet romance. What I loved most about it is that it develops slowly with charm and understanding. There are so many wonderful elements to this book, no doubt enriched by the author's own struggle with the disease.I highly recommend A Zebra Like Me to readers who appreciate a story with emotional depth; one that will touch your heart in many ways.Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.