Beverley Brenna: Research Interests
Books are powerful mirrors and windows for readers. They allow us to explore ourselves and others in ways that deepen understandings and promote community building. I am inspired to include characters with diverse abilities in my work because I see trends in traditional literature regarding a stereotypical portrayal of people with "disabilities." These trends include the dark suggestion that authors have not been able to imagine a happy future for someone who has a "disability." When brought into the daylight, such an assumption about people with special needs looks ridiculous. Yet in many of the classics-Heidi, The Secret Garden, Little Women-we see characters who are either miraculously cured, or done away with.
The following is a partial list of Canadian children's fiction novels published since 1995 in which characters with "disabilities" are portrayed. I am always looking for new Canadian fiction titles that fit this category in terms of novels for children and young adults (beverley.brenna@gmail.com), and I encourage educators to consider diversity when selecting classroom resources. We must reflect the storied lives of our students on classroom landscapes.
- The Moon Children by Beverley Brenna (2007)
- Wild Orchid by Beverley Brenna (2005)
- In the Clear by Anne Laurel Carter (2001)
- Ms. Zephyr's Notebook by k. c. dyer (2007)
- Seeds of Time; Secret of Light; Shades of Red (a trilogy, 2002-2005) by k.c. dyer
- Odd Man Out by Sarah Ellis (2006)
-Sandbag Shuffle by Kevin Marc Fournier (2007)
- Chill by Colin Frizzell (2006)
- A Friend Like Zilla by Rachna Gilmore (1995)
- Irish Chain by Barbara Haworth-Attard (2002)
- Gemini Summer by Iain Lawrence (2006)
- Forward, Shakespeare! by Jean Little (2005)
- Willow and Twig by Jean Little (2000)
- Charlie Wilcox by Sharon McKay (2000)
- A Different Kind of Beauty by Sylvia McNicoll (2003)
- Beauty Returns by Sylvia McNicoll (2006)
- Zoe's Extraordinary Holiday by Christina Minaki (2007)
- The Crazy Man by Pamela Porter (2005)
- Big Guy by Robin Stevenson (2008)
- Elixir by Eric Walters (2005)
- Run by Eric Walters (2003)