Diabetes and Me: An Essential Guide for Kids and Parents - Hardcover

Chaloner, a middle-school science educator, provides a highly accessible resource for youth newly diagnosed with diabetes and their parents, going a long way to demystify the ever-more-common disease. Going well beyond standard juvenile texts about living with diabetes, she addresses fears and concerns with both sensitivity and realistic advice for a wide range of readers. A grade-school child facing daily needles, for instance, has concerns that differ from a middle-school athlete, who fears being left out because of his or her diagnosis. In addition to exploring the science behind diabetes, the pharmaceuticals and medical instruments used in treatment, and dietary needs, Chaloner spends ample time on the importance of physical activity and potentially troubling family dynamics, such as resistance to healthier eating habits. Bertozzi, illustrator of Boaz Yakin’s Jerusalem (2013), ably depicts a diverse group of diabetics, detailed accounts of handling monitors during the course of the school day, and some apt metaphorical battles between sugars and insulin. This easy-to-read resource is a standout for its wealth of information and welcoming format. Grades 7-11. --Francisca Goldsmith