Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask about Having a Disability

Not So Different offers a humorous, relatable, and refreshingly honest glimpse into Shane Burcaw's life. Shane tackles many of the mundane and quirky questions that he's often asked about living with a disability, and shows readers that he's just as approachable, friendly, and funny as anyone else.

Shane Burcaw was born with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy, which hinders his muscles' growth. As a result, his body hasn't grown bigger and stronger as he's gotten older--it's gotten smaller and weaker instead. This hasn't stopped him from doing the things he enjoys (like eating pizza and playing sports and video games) with the people he loves, but it does mean that he routinely relies on his friends and family for help with everything from brushing his teeth to rolling over in bed.

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2017

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Published: 11/07/2017
Pages: 40
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 10.10h x 9.20w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781626727717
Age: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.1
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 193585 / Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask about Having a Disability


Award: Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award - Honor Book


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 09/01/2017
School Library Journal 09/01/2017
Publishers Weekly 10/09/2017
Booklist 10/15/2017 pg. 39
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 12/01/2017
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2018 pg. 233 - Recommended, Satisfactory

About the Author

Shane Burcaw is a twenty-three-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy. He lives in Bethlehem, PA with his family, and runs a blog and eponymous nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money for muscular dystrophy research.

Matt Carr is an award-winning visual storyteller with a background in photojournalism and a penchant for delivering honest, believable, and beautifully lit scenes. His photography has been published in The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, and Rolling Stone among other publications, and he has been recognized by American Photo, Hasselblad Masters, PDN, IPA, and Communication Arts. After 10 years working in London and Prague, Matt now lives in Brooklyn with his wife and their spirited 4-year-old daughter.