Geoff Havel, Dropping In, Fremantle Press, 25 March 2015, 128pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN: 9781925162219
Who doesn’t like hanging out with a friend? Ranga and Sticks have been best mates for ever, just the two of them. Then James moves in across the road from Sticks and with it, challenges many elements of friendship. For James uses a wheelchair, as he is trapped in a body that disobeys directions from his brain – how can he be mates with two able bodied fellas?
The answer is skateboarding! As their individual skills develop through boarding so does their respect for each other. Ranga is clearly the best at it but Sticks really tries. James does everything he can to help his mates and support them but he does so with such longing that the mates hatch a plan. They are going to give James some ‘air’ time! What happens? Chaos of course!
This story had me itching to share it with Stage Three at my school. The ability to look past someone’s disability and see them for who they are regardless of what their body can do, was a theme loud and clear throughout the story. Do your students see someone in a wheelchair and see their disability first? I think we may all be guilty of that from time to time. I love the way Havel has understated the idea that students-with-additional-needs are special and must be treated differently. Of course they’re special, all kids are, and all kids are different.
This story was heart-warming and funny and I found myself pulled into the plot able to imagine each scene clearly! There were many laugh-aloud moments and it was a book I simply couldn’t put down until the end. A great read indeed! Teaching Notes are available on the Fremantle Press website.
reviewed by Emily Meldrum
