Ellie and the marriage list

Ellie, who's 10, and her 15-year-old brother, Ben, have always had a special relationship, but it seems to be changing ever since Ben noticed their pretty new neighbor, Sara. Ellie, who has Down syndrome, believes her extra chromosome usually gives her a special twinkle, but now she's feeling pretty bewildered and powerless. Luckily, Ling, Ellie's BFF, figures out what's going on: Ben and Sarah are going to get married and move to Hawaii. Ling's predictions are based on the marriage list, a secret document she got from a ballet-class buddy that outlines telltale signs of pending matrimony (looking cool for each other, holding hands). Ling's been monitoring the list because she's hoping her own sister will marry her boyfriend and move out, so she and Ellie start plotting. Havoc, misunderstandings, and minor mayhem ensue, complicated by a ghost and the possible demise of Ellie's beloved backyard willow tree. Ellie is well developed, and her cognitive, speech, and physical challenges are seamlessly integrated into the narrative. There's a happy ending for this relatable, spunky protagonist.

According to 10-year-old Ellie, "Down Syndrome is my Superpower!" She even sports the slogan in glittery letters across her lucky T-shirt, which she pairs with an extra sparkly ring to help remind her "how extra cool she is." Assistance from her speech and physical therapists as well as encouragement from her older brother, Ben, help Ellie navigate difficulties pronouncing certain words and physical challenges relating to climbing. But when Ben befriends new neighbor Sara, Ellie worries that she's losing him. Her concerns are exacerbated by her best friend Ling, who claims that Sara wants to marry Ben and move to Hawaii, leaving Ellie behind for good. While Ellie's attempts to sabotage Sara and Ben's friendship lead to heartache on her end, support from her loving community bolsters Ellie as she works to unravel her complicated feelings and repair her sibling bond. Characters with varying disabilities--such as a tween who "was like most kids, just with less words mixed in"--are sensitively and organically portrayed by educator Seabolt in this wholesome slice-of-life debut, a series launch. Facts about Down syndrome conclude. Character interactions are rendered via grayscale illustrations by Rogers (Mara Hears in Style). Ages 7--11. (May)

A girl with Down syndrome fears that her older brother is getting married. Ten-year-old Ellie Anderson loves hanging with her brother, 15-year-old Ben. But lately, he's been too busy with work and soccer to pay her much attention. He becomes even more preoccupied when he starts hanging out with new neighbor Sara and inviting her to outings that should be special just for Ben and Ellie, like their nature hike and the upcoming Ability Center dance. Worse, Ellie's best friend, Ling, informs her that Ben and Sara are getting married: Ling's marriage list says so. The list names six steps toward marriage, including hand-holding and kissing--and Ben and Sara are working their way through those steps. Ellie and Ling hatch a scheme to stop Ben from reaching step six: marrying Sara and moving to Hawaii. But the plan only causes hurt feelings, just when Ellie and Ben need to band together to save Ellie's beloved backyard willow from being cut down by their parents so their magician dad will have room to build a workshop. Artistic, mischievous, and empathetic, Ellie is delightfully nuanced; Rogers' illustrations readily convey her many emotions. Seabolt matter-of-factly portrays Ellie's challenges, such as speech difficulties and "spaghetti noodle" muscles, and readers will root for her as she discovers her strengths and faces her fears. Ellie's supportive family is heartening. Most characters read white; Ling is Chinese American. A warm tale of family and friendship. (Down syndrome facts) (Fiction. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Ellie, who's 10, and her 15-year-old brother, Ben, have always had a special relationship, but it seems to be changing ever since Ben noticed their pretty new neighbor, Sara. Ellie, who has Down syndrome, believes her extra chromosome usually gives her a special twinkle, but now she's feeling pretty bewildered and powerless. Luckily, Ling, Ellie's BFF, figures out what's going on: Ben and Sarah are going to get married and move to Hawaii. Ling's predictions are based on the marriage list, a secret document she got from a ballet-class buddy that outlines telltale signs of pending matrimony (looking cool for each other, holding hands). Ling's been monitoring the list because she's hoping her own sister will marry her boyfriend and move out, so she and Ellie start plotting. Havoc, misunderstandings, and minor mayhem ensue, complicated by a ghost and the possible demise of Ellie's beloved backyard willow tree. Ellie is well developed, and her cognitive, speech, and physical challenges are seamlessly integrated into the narrative. There's a happy ending for this relatable, spunky protagonist. Grades 3-5. Copyright 2024 Booklist Reviews.

According to 10-year-old Ellie, "Down Syndrome is my Superpower!" She even sports the slogan in glittery letters across her lucky T-shirt, which she pairs with an extra sparkly ring to help remind her "how extra cool she is." Assistance from her speech and physical therapists as well as encouragement from her older brother, Ben, help Ellie navigate difficulties pronouncing certain words and physical challenges relating to climbing. But when Ben befriends new neighbor Sara, Ellie worries that she's losing him. Her concerns are exacerbated by her best friend Ling, who claims that Sara wants to marry Ben and move to Hawaii, leaving Ellie behind for good. While Ellie's attempts to sabotage Sara and Ben's friendship lead to heartache on her end, support from her loving community bolsters Ellie as she works to unravel her complicated feelings and repair her sibling bond. Characters with varying disabilities—such as a tween who "was like most kids, just with less words mixed in"—are sensitively and organically portrayed by educator Seabolt in this wholesome slice-of-life debut, a series launch. Facts about Down syndrome conclude. Character interactions are rendered via grayscale illustrations by Rogers (Mara Hears in Style). Ages 7–11. (May)