Just Don't Fall (Adapted for Young Readers)

January 18, 2010
Sundquist proves to be equally enthralling and witty at the written word in this sometimes heartbreaking, mostly uplifting memoir. Diagnosed with cancer at the age of nine, Sundquist eventually is forced to deal with the harsh reality of losing his left leg to amputation. Yet even at his young age, he deals with the setback with courage and determination, eventually setting his sights on becoming a ski racer at the 2006 Paralympics in Italy. While skiing becomes a large part of his life, his story is just as much about growing up in small-town Virginiaand, for example, dealing with common high school heartbreak. His dreams of a world ski racer are eventually met, because in his words, "I don't have time to fail". Some of his retelling of events at times seem over the top, but overall Sundquist is an honest and charming writer. And there are countless lighhearted anecdotes, like his desire to stop being homeschooled and attend public school partly for the pizza without whole-wheat crust. The final chapter provides a fitting conclusion to Sundquist's, proving that life is more about the journey than the destination.

July 1, 2023
Grades 5-7 Sundquist pares down his 2010 memoir for adults--notably, by removing nearly all mention of girls and God--to offer younger audiences a terrifying view of what it's like to have a childhood cancer diagnosis, lose a leg, and go through subsequent rounds of chemo and rehab, all while surrounded by secretive, lying, and incompetent adults. To be fair, while going on not only to survive but also to compete as a skier in the 2006 Paralympics, he does encounter a few helpful grownups and, with the support of his parents and church community, shows an inspiring determination to achieve both life and athletic goals. And if harrowing hospital experiences and incidents like his little brother's suicide attempt give his narrative a nightmarish quality, he lightens the emotional load by writing in an absurdist vein of past events, such as his eye-opening introduction to public school and his early efforts on the slopes. The overall message may reassure readers who can see past the horror of being sick and powerless to the possibility of an independent, even triumphant afterward.

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July 15, 2023
In this adaptation of a memoir for adults, comedian and Paralympic skier Sundquist recounts how he learned to persevere after losing his leg to cancer. Nine-year-old Josh is dismayed when Dad announces the whole family will be relocating from Virginia to Florida so Dad can attend seminary. But everything changes--including the move--when Josh is diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, necessitating the amputation of his leg. An avid soccer player, Josh must now relearn to walk with crutches and a prosthesis. He wonders how he can play sports again; he keeps falling, even when he discovers a knack for skiing. But as he grows, he realizes that the most important thing is getting right back up. At 16, he sets his sights on making the 2006 Paralympic ski team, putting his determination to the test. Though his stream-of-consciousness narration is occasionally difficult to follow, pitch-perfect kid logic renders his discussions of such tough topics as hospitalization, chemotherapy, and death alternately humorous, poignant, and insightful. While Josh candidly expresses anger and frustration, his overall pragmatism is reassuring, especially for kids navigating similar circumstances. His Christianity also comforts him. His family's support grounds the story as, in heartbreaking and heartwarming scenes, Josh details the impact of his cancer on his parents and younger brothers. However, he emphasizes, life goes on--a sentiment illustrated particularly vividly by his hilariously awkward transition from home schooling to public high school. Witty, encouraging, and perceptive. (Memoir. 8-13)

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