The World Wide Web makes it relatively easy to find factual information about scoliosis, its symptoms, and the available treatment options. But fictional tales about people with scoliosis are a little harder to find.
Today (11 June) is Empathy Day, and with the accompanying #ReadForEmpathy campaign, the organisers are hoping to highlight the power of stories to help us understand each other’s lived experiences. In that spirit, then, here’s our all-ages guide to stories about scoliosis and what it’s like to live with a curved spine:
Scoliosis Books for Children
Ideal for younger readers, these books can be a great aid for parents who are looking to help their young children understand scoliosis and the effects it can have on one’s body. Better still, they also help to highlight the fact that a scoliosis diagnosis isn’t the end of the world, and that courage and perseverance can help to overcome even the biggest obstacles.
Being Grace by June Hyjek
Ideal for educating young children about the ins and outs of scoliosis, Being Grace follows the story of a Grace, a young giraffe who has a curved neck.
As in the Christmas story of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, Grace the Giraffe is singled out and ridiculed for being different. Despite this, Grace’s crooked neck allows her to do things the other giraffes can’t.
Grace ultimately learns to be happy in her own skin, accept her differences, and appreciate the way they make her unique. The author June Hyjek has scoliosis herself, adding authenticity to the story and its message.
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The Bravest Thing by Donna Jo Napoli
The Bravest Thing centres around pet-loving 10-year-old Laurel and her pet rabbit. When the rabbit has babies, the rabbit’s unwillingness to feed her offspring leaves Laurel (who has scoliosis) to take the lead and keep them healthy herself.
The book focuses on optimism in the face of adversity, providing a good introduction to the effects of scoliosis for children.
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There’s an S on My Back by Mary Mahony
Mary Mahony’s 1999 book There’s an S on My Back is a great way to educate pre-adolescent readers about the implications of scoliosis while also reinforcing hope, instilling courage, and dispelling anxiety.
Written as a first-person narrative from the perspective of lead character Maisey MacGuire, There’s an S… provides children with an enlightening insight into scoliosis, from diagnosis to treatment, including brace fitting and the social situations around it.
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Scoliosis Books for Older Kids & Teens
For older children who have just entered their teenage years (or soon will), the following books provide a more mature analysis of scoliosis while still effectively maintaining engagement in younger readers. Centred around early adolescent characters, these books are a great way to improve a child’s knowledge of scoliosis while still capturing their imagination.
Abby’s Twin by Ann M. Martin
Part of the Baby-Sitters Club series, Abby’s Twin tells the story of twin sisters Abby and Anna. Anna is diagnosed with scoliosis after a routine school screening, and the twins are left to come to grips with the revelation in their own way, with Abby’s excessive attempts to comfort her sister ultimately leading to a falling out.
Bridging the gap between children’s literature and teen reading, Abby’s Twin is a good introduction to scoliosis for young teens and pre-adolescents, highlighting the importance of communication and family.
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Braced by Alyson Gerber
Braced is the debut novel from Alyson Gerber (who has scoliosis herself). It tells the tale of Rachel Brooks, a 7th-grade student with a place on the school soccer team, a crush on a boy named Tate, and a great year ahead of her…until she’s told that she has to wear a scoliosis brace for 23 hours a day.
Told from an authentic and honest perspective, this heartfelt story recounts the trials and tribulations of a maturing teen coping with scoliosis, with great underlying messages of compassion and triumph over adversity.
Published in 2017, Braced came as a welcome modern addition to the realm of scoliosis fiction, and it has been repeatedly praised online as a great read for teens and young adults alike.
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Dear Isaac Newton, You’re Ruining My Life by Rachel Hruza
Another recent publication to add to the growing list of scoliosis novels, Dear Isaac Newton… was originally published in early 2018 and follows the story of Truth Trendon, a 12-year-old with scoliosis.
The main protagonist in this scoliosis story aims to keep her scoliosis a secret from her classmates. Of course, the lies soon start to snowball, and disaster looms…
Touching and quick-witted, this book is full of adolescent angst and important life lessons, with the scoliosis theme prevalent throughout. Another great read for early teens.
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Straight Talk with the Curvy Girls by Theresa E. Mulvaney and Robin Stoltz
Billed as ‘a journey into the trials, tribulations and triumphs of child and adolescent scoliosis’, Straight Talk features contributions from a number of young people with scoliosis (and their parents). Most of the other books on our list are fictional, but if you’re looking for real-life tales of what it’s like to grow up with scoliosis, this one is a must-read.
You can order a copy of Straight Talk with the Curvy Girls from straighttalkscoliosis.com. We’d also strongly recommend reading our interviews with Curvy Girls founder Leah Stoltz and vice president Rachel Mulvaney, both of whom have been living with scoliosis since childhood.
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Young Adult Books About Scoliosis
These books focus on a variety of themes and plotlines, and while they are predominantly aimed at young adults, they are just as suitable for those that fall outside of that category, providing a good literary experience for adults too – particularly those with an interest in scoliosis.
Deenie by Judy Blume
Perhaps the most famous book on this list, Deenie is considered somewhat of a cult classic, achieving both critical acclaim and controversy.
First published back in 1973, Deenie has seen its fair share of controversy, primarily due to its sexual references. As a result, Deenie has been banned in countless schools, even landing on the American Library Association’s list of the ‘100 Most Frequently-Challenged Books’ in the 1990s.
However, this was nothing new for author Judy Blume, who has had numerous other books on the same list over the years. And none of this has impacted the book’s popularity; Deenie is still held in high regard and frequently cited as a ‘coming of age’ classic, and it’s a great scoliosis story to boot.
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Mannequin Girl by Ellen Litman
The second novel from Ellen Litman, Mannequin Girl is another coming-of-age story, but this one is set in 1980s Moscow.
The action – which takes place within a boarding school that’s specifically for children with scoliosis – centres around lead character Kat, who enters first grade at the age of six as the book begins. We then see Kat’s experiences over the eight years that follow.
Themes of identity, independence and rebellion emerge; Litman herself grew up in Moscow, allowing her to draw upon her real-life experiences for a narrative that’s authentic, engaging and heartfelt despite being written in third person.
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Heaven Sent by S.J. Morgan
The most recent entry on this list, Heaven Sent is the debut novel of British ex-pat S.J. Morgan. A trained occupational therapist, Morgan has real knowledge of scoliosis, and she uses this knowledge to great effect throughout Heaven Sent.
Another coming-of-age novel, relationships are the key theme here, with particular focus on friendship, family and love. The well-developed characters and thought-provoking narrative make Heaven Sent a solid read that’s even more appealing to those with firsthand experience of scoliosis.
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Scoliosis SOS is a specialist clinic in London, UK for people with scoliosis and other spinal conditions. Learn more about us here, and if you’d like to arrange a consultation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.