All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything
By:
Illustrator: Nabigal-Nayagam Haider Ali
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, Jennifer Keelan grew up battling—and overcoming—the limitations others set for her. From a lack of cutaway curbs and bus lifts to being denied enrollment at her neighborhood school, Jennifer was continually blocked from living the life she wanted. But after discovering the world of disability rights activism, she knew she had to use her voice to change things.
When Jennifer was just eight years old, she participated in the Capitol Crawl. The deeply affecting image of Jennifer crawling up the steps of Capitol Hill went viral and helped pressure Congress into passing the Americans with Disabilities Act. A powerfully illustrated biography of Jennifer's life and a celebration of youth activism, All the Way to the Top will teach all children that they have the power to make a difference.
Foreword by Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins. Further information about disability, the Capitol Crawl, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins. Bibliography. Time line. Full-color illustrations were first sketched, then painted digi
ISBN: 9781492688976
JLG Release: Jun 2020
Sensitive Areas:
None
Topics:
Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins (1981– )
, Activists and activism
, Social justice
, Disability rights movement
, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
, Cerebral palsy
, Wheelchairs
, Capitol Crawl protest
, Ableism
Awards & Honors
2021 Schneider Family Best Young Children's Honor Book
Praise & Reviews
Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:
Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, School Library Journal
School Library Journal
Pimentel’s latest nonfiction book is a biography of disability rights activist Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins and a history of the landmark 1989 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Born in 1981, Keelan-Chaffins, who has cerebral palsy, felt the world was always telling her to “STOP!” when she was “raring to GO!” At the time, sidewalks didn Pimentel’s latest nonfiction book is a biography of disability rights activist Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins and a history of the landmark 1989 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Born in 1981, Keelan-Chaffins, who has cerebral palsy, felt the world was always telling her to “STOP!” when she was “raring to GO!” At the time, sidewalks didn’t have curb cutouts and her schools only had stairs. After attending an activist meeting, where adults “with all sorts of disabilities” invited her to participate, Keelan-Chaffins was inspired to make her voice heard. She and her sister were often the only youth activists at these gatherings. Congress was reluctant to pass the ADA, so Keelan-Chaffins and her family joined others to protest in Washington, DC. Adult disability advocates who used wheelchairs crawled up the stairs of the U.S. Capitol in an act of defiance. Keelan-Chaffins was determined to ensure that children with disabilities didn’t get ignored. Her youth and tenacity caught the media’s attention, in turn, pressuring Congress to pass the ADA. Pimental’s present tense writing and portrayal of the power of a young person fighting to create change will engage young audiences. A few illustrations do not visually match the content of the text. A foreword and back matter enhance understanding. The time line that is provided might cause readers to seek extra information to fully understand specific milestones. Even with a few quibbles, Pimentel offers a great look at a young activist creating change and a better understanding of the importance of the ADA.
Book Details
ISBN
9781492688976
First Release
June 2020
Genre
Nonfic
Dewey Classification
B
Trim Size
10" x 10"
Page Count
40
Accelerated Reader
Level 3.9; Points: 0.5;
Scholastic Reading Counts
N/ALexile
N/AFormat
Print Book
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Explore
Potentially Sensitive Areas
None
Topics
Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins (1981– ), Activists and activism, Social justice, Disability rights movement, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Cerebral palsy, Wheelchairs, Capitol Crawl protest, Ableism,
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