Facing Challenges

Shane Burcaw was born with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare disease which hinders muscles’ growth. That condition means his body will not grow bigger and become strong but will instead get smaller and weaker. This hasn’t stopped him from doing things he enjoys (like eating pizza and playing sports and video games) with the people he loves, but it does mean he routinely relies on friends and family for help with everything.

Classroom activity and discussion guide

Student Response Questions

Christine and Moon are unlikely buddies, but quickly become best friends. But soon Moon is in the hospital, fighting for her life. Can Christine be the friend Moon needs, now, when the sky is falling?

Classroom activity and discussion guide

Student Response Questions

"From fixing the class computer to repairing old radios, twelve-year-old Iris is a tech genius. But she's the only deaf person in her school, so people often treat her like she's not very smart. If you've ever felt like no one was listening to you, then you know how hard that can be. When she learns about Blue 55, a real whale unable to speak to other whales, Iris understands how he must feel. Then she has an idea: to invent a way to 'sing' to him! But at three thousand miles away, how will she play her song for him?"

Classroom activity and discussion guide

Sign Language poetry

Student Response Questions