Air

In Roe’s energetic middle grade debut, Emelyn “Emmie” Ethrige, implied white, loves using her wheelchair to do impressive stunts like her favorite WCMX athletes. Emmie’s old, oft-mended chair isn’t particularly suited for ambitious jumps and tricks, however, a fact that she’s regularly reminded of by her father, who has become increasingly protective since the death of her mother two years ago. To save up for a new chair, the 12-year-old is operating an online store, selling custom wheelchair bags and foraged craft materials with her best friend Alejandra Che, a young beekeeper, cued Latinx. After an incident involving Emmie and her chair, her meddlesome principal assigns her an unwanted school aide and holds a fundraiser to pay for a new chair. In response, Emmie must find a way to communicate her desire for agency as well as what she really wants and needs from her school, peers, and family. Roe thoughtfully depicts the obstacles Emmie faces, from assumptions about her abilities to the lack of wheelchair accessibility in her small South Carolina town, while highlighting the importance of intentional allyship and advocacy. Ages 10–14. Agent: Jacqui Lipton, Raven Quill. (Mar.)