Rick Hansen.

In March 1985, Rick Hansen launched a Man in Motion World Tour in his hometown, Vancouver, B.C. The purpose of the tour was to raise funds for spinal cord injury research and to “change society’s attitudes about people with disabilities.” It was an extraordinary success. During the tour’s two years, Rick, in a wheelchair and accompanied by his team, travelled more than 40,000 kilometres, visited 34 countries, and raised more than $26 million.

This brief biography of Hansen begins in 1973 with Rick, 15, in a hospital bed unable to move his lower body as the result of an automobile accident. Determined to “not let his injury hold him back,” he goes on to attend university, then becomes the best wheelchair marathon racer in the world. The book focuses on his remarkable will and resiliency.

Every second page features black-and-white photos from Hansen’s life. Sidebars highlight interesting facts about both Hansen and his tour. A glossary helps young readers with easy-to-follow explanations of some of the words in the text (marathon should have been one of these). Questions at the end of the book serve as an excellent tool for the reader or a tutor to assess the young reader’s comprehension of the text.

Hansen’s perseverance serves as a strong example of a young person striving to reach personal goals. How appropriate for children learning to read. Highly recommended.