I Just Am
Grade 4 Up–A black-and-white photo-essay by a young adult with Down syndrome. Bryan, who wrote the book along with his dad, speaks candidly about his disability, It is not my fault. I just am. This active young man has an infectious personality; he knows that he's not stupid, but acknowledges that he is slow. He knows that he does not look normal, but questions just what that means. I am not perfect. Who is? I look different. Doesn't everyone? The snapshots, depicting Lambke from toddlerhood to the present, are a bit grainy, which perhaps adds to their immediacy. Readers see his friends, pets, bedroom, activities, and family, and learn how very much he is like his peers. Concluding information describes medical ailments associated with Down syndrome, suggests language usages (avoid saying that someone is a Downs), and presents statistics and endorsements. This engaging and helpful book updates older titles that might describe people as suffering from or being afflicted with mental retardation. Weed those and replace them with this one.–Linda Beck, Indian Valley Public Library, Telford, PACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.