Air

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About the Author

Monica Roe grew up in an Appalachian farming community and spent her childhood haunting the local library, where she was once almost locked in at closing time (she saw this as a huge win; the librarian disagreed). She has worked for over a decade as a pediatric physical therapy consultant for off-road Alaskan communities and is a researcher/advocate for the social model of disability and inclusive rural health. A first-generation graduate, Monica currently studies public health at the University of Alaska Anchorage, focusing on disability-inclusive disaster preparedness for rural communities threatened by climate change. When not in Alaska, Monica and her family can be found in rural South Carolina, where they raise honeybees and sometimes get stung. 




About the Book

An action-packed, empowering middle grade novel about a girl who has to speak up when her wheelchair motocross dreams get turned upside down.

Twelve-year-old Emmie is working to raise money for a tricked-out wheelchair to get serious about WCMX, when a mishap on a poorly designed ramp at school throws her plans into a tailspin. Instead of replacing the ramp, her school provides her with a kind but unwelcome aide―and, seeing a golden media opportunity, launches a public fundraiser for her new wheels. Emmie loves her close-knit rural town, but she can’t shake the feeling that her goals―and her choices―suddenly aren’t hers anymore. With the help of her best friends, Emmie makes a plan to get her dreams off the ground―and show her community what she wants, what she has to give, and how ready she is to do it on her own terms.

Air is a smart, energetic middle grade debut from Monica Roe about thinking big, working hard, and taking flight.

Praise for AIR: 

School Library Journal Best Middle Grade Books of the Year

Young Hoosier Award Nominee

Whippoorwill Award Winner

Target Book Club Pick (age 9-12)

Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Georgia Children's Book Awards Grade 4-8 Finalist

Cybils Awards Middle Grade Fiction Finalist

Vermont Golden Dome Book Award Nominee

Rhode Island Middle School Book Award Nominee

Massachusetts Children's Book Award Nominee

Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year


“A fun, fierce heroine fights architectural ableism with the powers of friendship.” —Kirkus Reviews


“Roe's energetic debut . . . thoughtfully depicts the obstacles Emmie faces, from assumptions about her abilities to the lack of wheelchair accessibility in her small South Carolina town, while highlighting the importance of intentional allyship and advocacy.” —Publisher's Weekly


“Though sports feature heavily in Air, the larger lessons on disability advocacy and finding your voice make this story especially powerful. Highly recommended for young daredevils and those looking for stories with a strong female protagonist.” —Booklist


“Emmie Ethrige is a daredevil who lives life FAST. She is gutsy and kind, fun-loving and flawed—exactly the sort of character readers will relate to and root for . . . A fantastic, bright, and important read.” —Kate Beasley, author of Lions & Liars and Gertie’s Leap to Greatness


“Air is fantastic, fierce, and too much fun. Please read it immediately.” —William Alexander, National Book Award–winning author of Goblin Secrets


“Air is the high-energy tale of a wheelchair athlete determined to get the equipment she needs to have fun and go far. After Emmie bumps up against others seeking to ‘help’ by pushing her in their direction, she learns to resist creatively. Her quest will engage readers from start to finish as they see how one girl forges her own path with the real help of loyal friends in their small town.” —Lyn Miller-Lachmann, author of She Persisted: Temple Grandin & co-author of Moonwalking



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