How to Keep Rolling After a Fall

July 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-Former mean girl Nikki Baylor deserves a second chance. She is shunned for her role in cyberbullying a former schoolmate (scandalous photos of the girl were posted on Nikki's Facebook page on her laptop at her home in Ocean Isle, NJ). Nikki's parents cannot look her in the eye and focus more on her younger sister and sole household ally, Emma. She feels extremely alone until she meets Matty "Pax" Paxton, a strong-willed, stubborn, and hot wheelchair rugby player. He knows what it is like to rebound from a life-changing car accident. Pax gives her compassion, understanding, solace, friendship, and unconditional love. Nikki also meets and befriends Sam, a bullying survivor and aspiring singer. With friendship and support from Pax and Sam, the teen learns to be more self-confident and forgiving. Cozzo has created a well-written YA novel featuring a main character with a disability. Pax is the voice of reason who accepts Nikki for herself and helps her transform from a mean girl into a sympathetic young woman. Cozzo does not shy away from Pax's reality as a young man who has to deal with urinary tract infections, catheters, and limitations in certain locations. Cozzo never takes on a preachy or pitying tone when describing Pax's disability. Pax and Nikki's love story is natural and gradual and feels authentic to the teen experience. VERDICT Recommended for readers who appreciate tales filled with redemption and forgiveness and positive portrayals of teens and young adults with disabilities.-Donald Peebles, New York Black Librarians Caucus

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