Scan barcode
A review by shalanna
Scoot Over and Make Some Room: Creating a Space Where Everyone Belongs by Heather Avis
4.0
I'm going to be generous with my stars & go for 4 because while I didn't love this book, it is a book worth reading. I loved The Lucky Few & I would have rather hear more about Avis' personal journey rather than be told what I should or shouldn't be doing, thinking or feeling.
I liked some of this book, some of the time. I liked most of this book, most of the time. But I didn't like all of this book all of the time. There were many reasons, but for me, the most glaringly obvious reason that this book did not resonate with me is because I felt it was very one sided. Avis was encouraging everyone to Scoot Over and Make Some Room for differently abled people, but I left this book feeling that her adamant statements about full inclusion wouldn't have left room at her table for families whos journeys don't look like hers; families who were unable to accomplish full inclusion, for whatever reason. It painted a strict picture that felt like she was saying, "This way, and only this way, is the way to raise a child with down syndrome." So you've been raising 2 kids with down syndrome? Doesn't make you an expert on down syndrome, just makes you an expert on YOUR KIDS. It felt judgmental rather than inclusive at times.
I liked some of this book, some of the time. I liked most of this book, most of the time. But I didn't like all of this book all of the time. There were many reasons, but for me, the most glaringly obvious reason that this book did not resonate with me is because I felt it was very one sided. Avis was encouraging everyone to Scoot Over and Make Some Room for differently abled people, but I left this book feeling that her adamant statements about full inclusion wouldn't have left room at her table for families whos journeys don't look like hers; families who were unable to accomplish full inclusion, for whatever reason. It painted a strict picture that felt like she was saying, "This way, and only this way, is the way to raise a child with down syndrome." So you've been raising 2 kids with down syndrome? Doesn't make you an expert on down syndrome, just makes you an expert on YOUR KIDS. It felt judgmental rather than inclusive at times.