Abby's Asthma and the Big Race
Abby likes to run. Her legs are “long and fast,” but sometimes her breath is “short.” There’s a big race at the fair in August, and she’s training for it, but whenever she tells someone—her dad, her teacher—they try to get her to enter the fair’s pie-eating contest, instead. As the story progresses, Abby is shown having successes (making a goal in a soccer game after being teased), and some downturns (having an asthma attack in school). During a checkup, Dr. Allison tells Abby that when it comes to the race, she should “go for it!” So Abby keeps training and not only finishes the race, she wins it. This is a purposeful book, but freckle-faced Abby is an appealing heroine whom readers will root for. This does show the uncertain course that asthma can take, but the resolution, for many asthma sufferers, may be too upbeat. Still, this is a hopeful offering, and the endnote by a pediatrician offers some basic facts. Grades K-3. --Ilene Cooper