Aaron Philip with Tonya Bolden
[From the Dust Jacket]
He started his own Tumblr,
Aaronverse.
★
He’s hung out with the guy
who created the cartoon
Adventure Time.
★
He’s appeared in
a documentary film.
★
He’s a disability activist
who’s been on television.
★
He’s a kawaii dude
who loves anime.
★
And he’s a fourteen-year-old boy
with cerebral palsy.
★
This kid can’t walk,
but he can fly.
Aaron Philip’s memoir chronicles his extraordinary journey from happy baby in Antigua to confident teen artist in New York City. His honest, often funny stories of triumph—despite physical difficulties, poverty, and other challenges—are as inspiring as they are eye-opening.
………………………………
Praise for “This Kid Can Fly”
Similar to Shane Burcaw’s Laughing at my Nightmare (2014), for a slightly older reader, this inspiring glimpse into the life of a real kid goes beyond disability to celebrate his remarkable ability.
—Booklist
Philip’s simple, chatty account of both physical and societal challenges—and the “angels” without whom couldn’t have risen to them so highly—will motivate readers with and without disabilities to support accessibility and inclusion.
—Kirkus
“In an enlightening and candid memoir, Philip recalls his early childhood years, when he moved from Antigua to New York City to seek medical attention for cerebral palsy. Now 14, he shares memories . . . that are honest, raw, and devoid of self-pity.”
— Publishers Weekly
“At thirteen years old, Aaron has written a memoir that manages to tell the real story of being not only significantly disabled, but also of being a new immigrant to this country, the child of brave, hard-working parents, of being poor but also hopeful and passionate about a brighter future. This book will inspire many children to work a little harder and dream a little bigger. It inspired me.”
— Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will
“Following Aaron’s journey as he overcame countless adversities with endless humor and positivity was nothing short of awe-inspiring. I am delighted to know the world will get to read his story.”
— Shane Burcaw, author of Laughing at My Nightmare
“This story of how a boy with cerebral palsy and his family navigate an indifferent social system is proof that the human spirit has no boundaries.”
— Sonia Manzano, Sesame Street actor and author of Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx
“At once beautiful and heartbreaking, Aaron Philip found a way to make me laugh even as I choked up, found a way to bring on my empathy without ever allowing me to feel sorry for him. An eye-opening debut.”
—Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award winner and Newbery Honor author of Brown Girl Dreaming
………………………………
Ages 8–12 | 192 pages
Hardcover | Balzer + Bray (An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers) 2016
ISBN: 978-0-06-240354-4