An action-packed, empowering middle grade novel about a girl whose wheelchair motocross dreams get turned upside down.
Monica Roe is the author of Thaw, a Cybils Young Adult Fiction Finalist, and the short story "The Unhealthy Breakfast Club" in the anthology Rural Voices. She is a longtime disability advocate and researcher, holds a doctorate in physical therapy from Clarkson University, and has devoted her pediatric clinical practice to rural and underserved communities, as well as publishing journal articles in the area. She lives in Swansea, South Carolina. monicaroerambles.com
School Library Journal Best Middle Grade Books of the Year
Young Hoosier Award Nominee
Truman Readers Award Nominee
North Carolina Children's Book Award Nominee
Illinois Bluestem Award Nominee
Whippoorwill Award Winner
Target Book Club Pick (age 9-12)
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Georgia Children's Book Awards Grade 4-8 Finalist
Cybils Awards Middle Grade Fiction Finalist
Vermont Golden Dome Book Award Nominee
Rhode Island Middle School Book Award Nominee
Massachusetts Children's Book Award Nominee
Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year
"A fun, fierce heroine fights architectural ableism with the powers
of friendship." --Kirkus Reviews
"Roe's energetic debut . . . 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."
--Publisher's Weekly
"Though sports feature heavily in Air, the larger lessons on
disability advocacy and finding your voice make this story
especially powerful. Highly recommended for young daredevils and
those looking for stories with a strong female protagonist."
--Booklist "Emmie Ethrige is a daredevil who lives life FAST. She
is gutsy and kind, fun-loving and flawed--exactly the sort of
character readers will relate to and root for . . . A fantastic,
bright, and important read." --Kate Beasley, author of Lions &
Liars and Gertie's Leap to Greatness "Air is fantastic, fierce, and
too much fun. Please read it immediately." --William Alexander,
National Book Award-winning author of Goblin Secrets "Air is the
high-energy tale of a wheelchair athlete determined to get the
equipment she needs to have fun and go far. After Emmie bumps up
against others seeking to 'help' by pushing her in their direction,
she learns to resist creatively. Her quest will engage readers from
start to finish as they see how one girl forges her own path with
the real help of loyal friends in their small town." --Lyn
Miller-Lachmann, author of She Persisted: Temple Grandin &
co-author of Moonwalking
![]() |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
![]() |