Go for It, Carrie

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

Lesley Choyce, author of numerous gritty problem novels for young
adults, ventures into the area of “first chapter books,” those
titles directed at youngsters whose reading skills will allow them to
pursue materials more lengthy and demanding than picture books. Despite
the genre’s obvious limitations regarding character and plot
development, Choyce manages to create a warm story with a positive,
nondidactic message that will engage his intended audience.

At times, Carrie, 10, resents the protective interference of her older
brother Ernie. When Carrie sees an in-line skater and decides to pursue
the sport, she receives no support from Ernie and his friend Joe, who
simply dismiss her desire by saying, “You’re too young.”
Encouragement comes instead from a schoolmate, Gregory, who has Down’s
syndrome. His “go for it” statement inspires her to overcome various
obstacles and to achieve her goal of being a competent in-line skater.
Interestingly, when Gregory expresses his own desire to take up the
sport, Carrie tries to place limitations on him, until she realizes that
he too has the right to “go for it.”

Mark Thurman’s 10 cartoonlike drawings provide the only indication
that Carrie is a member of a visible minority. Recommended.