My Pal Victor:Mi Amigo Victor
Kindergarten-Grade 2–Pedestrian prose and amateurish illustrations mar this treatment of friendship despite disabilities. Dominic's friend, Victor, may not walk, but he's far from disabled. He is not only a source of support, but a limit-pushing, life-expanding influence. Always ready with an imaginative story, a sidesplitting joke, or one more terrifying ride at the amusement park, Victor cheers Dominic on at softball games and admires his swimming ability. The closing twist reads: "But, the most important thing about my pal, Victor, is that he likes me just the way I am." This is paired with a picture showing one boy in a wheelchair. Libraries will be better served by Fred Rogers'sExtraordinary Friends(Putnam, 2000) orLaura Dwight'sWe Can Do It!(Star Bright, 1998).Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.