Dancing Daisies

by Sara Pyszka

That was really why I wanted to go to camp this year instead of sitting at home all summer with my parents. I desperately needed some new friends...

Brynn Evason is, in many ways, just like an ordinary seventeen-year-old girl-she cares too much about what other people think of her, she's embroiled in major friendship drama, and she can't wait to head off to summer camp.

But in Sara Pyszka's heartwarming coming-of-age drama, Dancing Daisies, readers learn that Brynn is different in one very important way. Brynn has cerebral palsy, which means she must use a power wheelchair and computer to communicate.

After her relationship with her two best friends is shattered, Brynn is looking forward more than ever to her summer at Camp Lakewood. She soon learns, however, that getting away from home doesn't spare her from all of life's dramas.

While some campers meet her with dismay, Brynn eventually meets friends who can see past her disabilities. One of those friends is Tommy, a boy for whom Brynn immediately falls head over heels.

But as Tommy and Brynn's friendship deepens, a misunderstanding puts the new couple in jeopardy. Can Brynn find a way to clear Tommy's name?

Genres: Disability

350 pages, Paperback

First published December 6, 2013

About the author

Sara Pyszka launched her writing career with the 2013 release of DANCING DAISIES, her debut young adult novel. She published its sequel, SWITCH THE SONG, in 2017. INSIDE MY OUTSIDE is her first non-fiction work. It chronicles her experiences as an individual with cerebral palsy who gets around using a wheelchair, cannot use her hands and relies on an electronic device for communication.

Through her writing, Sara hopes to change perceptions about people with disabilities in a positive way.

An accomplished public speaker and lyricist, Sara lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book is written from the perspective of a character not often seen (let alone given center stage) in YA lit - that of a high school student with a severe physical disability. The novel's narrator, Brynn, has cerebral palsy, a condition that requires her to use a wheelchair to get around and an electronic communication device to communicate, as well as help from aides, family and friends in order to do many of the everyday tasks that most people take for granted. Brynn's story really picks up once she gets to summer camp, a place outside of her comfort zone where she is challenged to be independent for the first time in her life, make friends with people who are not familiar with her disability, and learn how to be true to herself despite what anyone else may think about her. It's a unique spin on the young adult coming-of-age story because it provides such a fascinating look into the inner life of a teenager with a physical disability - a perspective that I've never before had the pleasure to read about, and one that I think has an important place in YA lit.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got recommended this book by my cousin.

I thought it was really cute with an incredible view into the life of a teenager with CP. Having said that, is it fair to say it was almost too introspective? Which absolutely makes sense seeing as the author herself has CP. Still, I would have liked if there were more description about the environment the main character was in to paint the scene.

Usually my complaints with books like this is that the characters are too black and white. Although there were still some characters that were sickly sweet in this book, there still was a large range of gray which I really liked. It gave the book an essential point of honesty. It's obvious that this is written with the sole purpose of giving others (namely teenagers) a realistic view of the life of someone with CP, so frankly, it's important not to bullshit around about how different interactions with people can go.

[Kelly Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHMAZING

I LOVE to read and my favorite books(the ones I read over and over) are ones where I feel like I'm apart of the story, where the characters come alive and I feel every emotion they experience. When they're mad, I'm mad, they're sad and I feel sad and when they're happy, I'm happy, and that's EXACTLY how it was with this book. I know that most people will take away that this book was about a girl who has CP and the things she deals with, but I think it's so much more then that. I feel like it's a book for anyone who's ever felt or is different then the so called normal people, just reading this book has made me feel that you can accomplish anything you've set your mind too, and I have enjoyed it more then I thought I would. Congrats Sara for writing an AHMAZING story and you have definitely won me as a fan and I will be looking forward to reading anything else you decide to write!

[Anne Secher · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.*

4.5 rounded down.

Brynn has a type of cerebral palsy that doesn't affect her cognitive funcioning. However, she must be attached to a wheel chair given her strong physical disability, which also causes others to treat her as if she was also cognitively impaired. Thankfully, there are many who simply ask about what they do not know.

The main and side characters were well rounded and this contemporary story felt quite easy to follow. Told in first person from Brynn's mind, it gives us such an insight into her world that it is impossible not to feel with her as the story develops.

I think the events that take place are a little bit cliché and utopic; ideal although not that likely to take place in that way most of the times even if they should.

The narrator, Corrie Legge, did quite a decent job with the voices; all of them were clearly distinguishable and each had a distinct personality given by the tone of voice, the speed of its speech, the intonation and intentions. I would definitely choose another audiobook narrated by her. Moreover, she never sounded robotic when narrating.

Reading this also made me want to investigate further about the different types of cerebral palsy and their symptoms.

I highly recommend this book if you're looking for some educational reading that will teach you disability just means there are some things the person cannot do as easily as you do them, but it is far from meaning they cannot achieve goals or that they are, as many still believe, stupid.

[Paige Kaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. In society people stereotype others based on a disability or diagnosis. This book not only opens the eyes to readers about cerebral palsy, but helps them understand that although one may be different on the outside, inside they’re just like everyone else; their bodies betray them, but internally we are all the same. Met the author through my dads job and looking forward to reading more of her books!

[Katie Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to teenagers and adults! It’s very entertaining, but also educational about cerebral palsy, other disabilities, and multiple ways people can communicate. I didn’t want to put it down! I plan to read the sequel next! I’m an SLP and I have had the pleasure to meet Sara a couple times over the years! I find her very kind, intelligent, and interesting to be around!

[Dorothy Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, couldn't put it down

I absolutely loved reading this book. I learned so much about people with physical disabilities but no intellectual problems. How the main character, Brynn, overcame issues many of us can't even imagine! I am looking forward to reading the next book from this author. My next stop is to the bookstore to buy the next one.

[Chelsie Hermsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone that works with students with disabilities, who don't have intellectual disability, should read this book.

[Maria Rountree · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book just caught my eye at goodwill. i wasn’t even looking for books at the time but once i read the back i immediately bought it. it’s actually the book that got me back into reading! it is the sweetest story and being someone who has spent a lot of time around disabled kids, it made my heart so happy!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Pyszka brings a new, fresh main character to the young adult genre that we are not accustomed to seeing: a smart, funny, average teenager who is living with a disability. Most novels whose main character has a disability go for the "inspirational" angle, which Pyszka purposely avoids. She is trying to help the world understand that people with disabilities are not here for the inspiration of people without disabilities, but another part of our diversity.

I used this book in my college class to help my students (majoring in rehabilitation) understand the world from the viewpoint of a young person with a disability. Their feedback was really encouraging because they have never had the opportunity to experience life as a person with a disability; Psyzka's detailed descriptions and observations allows the reader to experience life in another body.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book, written in first person, out of curiosity, to gain a greater perspective on the way disabled individuals interact with the world around them on a daily basis. It provides the reader with a small sense of being in her shoes, and seeing through her eyes. Thanks to Sara Pyszka for sharing her story.

[Kelly Hermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, gives such a great perspective from a physically impaired teens life.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-read in my opinion. It should be in the high school curriculum. Great informative story about the struggles of inclusiveness and relationships in an able-bodied teen-aged world.

[Daisy Blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about just your ordinary teenage girl dealing with ordinary problems...and cerebral palsy.

[Debbie Waltz]

Since this book is written by a disabled person in a actual wheelchair, I can really relate. Although I can speak, I can relate to the stereotypes that being disabled brings- being in a wheelchair you can't really speak for yourself and/or don't really have your own individual opinions. I mean really? But this is actually something with on a daily/weekly basis. Let alone the idea of wanting to be in a relationship with somebody. I mean really?. Brinn gives an actual voice to those who don't have the courage or luxury to speak on their own behalf. Albeit, she is way more outspoken on the controversies of today's society and makes her ideas known. But I for one want to thank the author for being so brave as to give a voice to the disabled minority