Owning It: Our Disabled Childhoods… in Our Own Words

by Jen Campbell (Editor), James Catchpole (Editor), Lucy Catchpole (Editor)

Growing up disabled can be an isolating experience. As much as you might be surrounded by loving and well-meaning friends and family, chances are no one close to you is going through this alongside you . . . until now!

From navigating sports at school, to facing the confusion of getting given free stuff all the time, to juggling hospital trips alongside your social life, this anthology of firsthand experiences of childhood disability will be a welcome companion for disabled children. For non-disabled children it provides a welcome own-voice perspective and will help build empathy and understanding. A very powerful, much-needed book.

Edited by James Catchpole, Lucy Catchpole and Jen Campbell. With contributions from Ali Abbas, Polly Atkin, Imani Barbarin, Jen Campbell, James Catchpole, Christa Couture, Carly Findlay, M. Leona Godin, Eugene Grant, Jan Grue, Matilda Feyisayo Ibini, Ilya Kaminsky, Sora J. Kasuga, Jessica Kellgren-Fozard, Elle McNicoll, Daniel Sluman, Nina Tame, Rebekah Taussig, Steven Verdile, Alex Wegman, Ashley Harris Whaley and Kendra Winchester. Illustrated by Sophie Kamlish.

Genres: Disability, Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Audiobook, Anthologies, Short Stories, Essays

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 22, 2025

About the author

​Jen Campbell is a bestselling author and award-winning poet. Her short story collection The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night is published by Two Roads, her children's picture books, Franklin's Flying Bookshop, Franklin and Luna go to the Moon, and Franklin and Luna and the Book of Fairy Tales are published by Thames & Hudson. Her poetry collection The Girl Aquarium is published by Bloodaxe.

Jen is also the author of the Sunday Times bestselling Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops series, and The Bookshop Book. Her poetry pamphlet The Hungry Ghost Festival is published by The Rialto. She's a recipient of an Eric Gregory Award and won the Jane Martin Poetry Prize.

Jen worked as a bookseller for ten years and now has a Youtube channel, where she talks about all things books. She also runs a podcast called BOOKS WITH JEN, is Vlogger in Residence for the Poetry Book Society, offers writing workshops and editorial services, and runs a book club for TOAST.

She grew up in the north east of England and now lives in London. She is represented by Charlie Campbell at Kingsford Campbell.

Reviews

[Nienke Schuitemaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of stories from various authors, all with their own style and their own perspective. I found it interesting how different the things they wanted to share about their childhoods were.

Some stories felt aimed at a young audience, others felt more like a piece of healing for the child the author used to be. This made the book as a whole sometimes feel a little bit like a therapy exercise and disjointed in a way I don’t usually get from story collections (because the target audience usually stays the same). But the premise of this collection was so unique that I very much understand why it ended up this way. And I enjoyed reading all these different stories.

I would actually love a second collection with new stories from the exact same authors to see what the second story they’d want to share in this context would be.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really hope this makes the rounds - I can see it helping so many kids with disabilities.

Particularly recommend the audio version. 💚

[Agent_bugs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Varied and compelling, I really recommend this anthology! I now have a list of people to look up because their bios at the end of the book made me want to see more of their work.

Two quotes which particularly struck me:

"I'd been so determined to carry on. But determination can be denial - grief hiding itself in a fixed purpose. I thought about what I wanted - Broadway - so that I didn't have to think about what I didn't want. I didn't want to be disabled. I didn't want to look different or move differently. I didn't want things to have changed." - Christa Couture (the wisdom to look back at a moment in your life and diagnose exactly what was really going on underneath is impressive and the insight itself about denial was eye-opening)

"Me. I'm meant to be me. It's been so long. Too long. But it's time." - Elle McNicoll (what a way to end the anthology! Your mind swimming with everything you've learnt and trying to make sense of it, distilled into the perfect summation)

[Jemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story/essay collection by authors with a range of different disabilities. This is a great book for kids or parents of kids with disabilities, or kids without disabilities so they can have a greater understanding of how disabilities can affect their peers and to learn the importance of inclusion and representation.

It’s so important for kids to see themselves represented. I was a kid growing up with a disability and chronic illnesses and I never saw someone with my condition on the tv (and still don’t actually) but I see similarities in some of the essays here to things I’ve been through.

[Renee Godding]

Jen Campbell is one of the few authors out there where I don't even doubt for a second before preordering anything new she releases. Seeing her edit a collection of stories by so many other voices in disability fiction that I adore and look up to... Let's just say I can't wait for April...

[Melissa Morley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a child growing up with a disability but like the authors of this book, I was once. I definitely found myself within these stories even though most of them were not that similar to my own I could still relate. I loved it and would definitely recommend 😊

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very relatable. It had a good variety of experiences and each piece was engaging to read.

[Maggie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've added several of these authors to my TBR shelf to read more in-depth narratives from them.

[liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, the quality of the writing, such unique stories! "for kids" but just right for adults too - I recommend!

[Karen Cohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful collection of stories, some biographical and many autobiographical, about people who experienced disability of some type during childhood. The narratives are heartfelt and touching, baring the souls of the narrators as they discover that something about themselves is different - followed by the current biographies of the now-adults, showing a range of success stories, describing adults who experienced illness or accident as children that set them apart, and how they dealt with it. As with most anthologies - especially those written by multiple authors - the quality of the stories, and the perspectives of the authors, varies, but in this case, it underlines the point that these are real individuals, not the fictional creations of an author with little or no experience with the subject matter.

These are inspirational stories, as they are intended to be, and yet, the stories are also disturbing, and they're intended to be; we are a society that "others" those who are different, which derides those who don't fit in, and it's meant to be disturbing, to open people's eyes to the person inside, the person who, ultimately, is just like everyone else, and should be treated as such. There's a touch of "but", rather than "and" - as Eugene Grant, one of the contributors noted, that "but" is a bit of venom, a negative described as a positive, each child has some difference, but that doesn't stop them, something I was feeling at some level but couldn't quite identify until Mr. Grant stated it so clearly - even in this volume of inspiring success stories, there's an underlying hint of that "but", implying that these contributors are the exception, not the norm.

As a special education teacher, I search for books that say these things, books that will let my students know that there are others out there like themselves, and from that perspective, I would have liked to have seen more of the common, less-visible disabilities. Only one author - the final one, Elle McNicoll - has a non-physical disability. Only one author had a disability caused by external factors. All the others have a physical disability caused either by genetic factors or illness. I hope that future volumes - and I do sincerely hope that there will be future volumes - will find contributors more representative of population as a whole. Overall, however, this is still a wonderful volume, which I will be sharing with both coworkers and students.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

* Honest, vulnerable, & vibrant storytelling by 22 international authors
* Hope-filled & heartwarming
* Illuminating & empowering
* Diverse disability representation
* Engaging artwork by Sophie Kamlish

A few highlights that landed for me in reading this book:
Alex Wegman shares what kids with disabilities want: … for all the praise they received about being inspiring or resilient, they really just wanted to be kids who were automatically part of things, the way their non-disabled friends were. (p. 75)

A child’s view of wheelchairs by Jan Grue: Kids already know that wheelchairs are magical … A little car that is allowed to go inside the house. (p. 127)

Nina Tame asks: Why does it matter how a person’s body works? Shouldn’t what’s on the inside be more important? After all, it’s the least interesting thing about a person, really, what they look like. (p. 163)

Daniel Sluman expresses a beautiful way to look at life: What I realised in rehearsals and gigs is that playing in a band means working hard to make this wonderful piece of sound between you. It’s not about each of you showing off, it’s about helping each other, creating space for everyone to find their voice and explore the limits of their instrument and their personal expression. (p. 178)

Sound advice from Christa Couture: Pushing past our limits is not always necessary; knowing what we can’t do is not defeat. (p. 270)

The value of disability representation by Eugene Grant: …seeing heroes and role models who look like you—whatever you look like—is so very, very important. (p. 299)

Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini learning about space: …once I found out that there was no gravity in space, I would often dream about a world I could float through—never having to fall, or struggle to climb a step ever again. (p. 327)

Profound perspective from Elle McNicoll: I would rather have a disability than be like them … I would rather have this than have their smallness. Their cowardice. (p. 346)

Highly recommended!

Order from Blackwell’s (delivery included!)

https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe you and/or your child(ren) are what passes for 'normal'. But what if that was not the case? Or what if life changed and now there is a prosthesis, or chemo, or a hidden diagnosis that brings vast changes? What if there were no superheroes that you could relate to? What if there was no one in your social sphere at school who understood? You are not alone, and the stories from kids who grew up 'different' reflect that because each of these 22 authors from around the world have 'been there, done that' and wish that someone had given them the kind of encouragement this book brings.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected proof copy from Faber US via NetGalley. Avail Aug 19, 2025 @goodreads @bookbub ***** #storygraph @librarythingofficial @kobo @waterstones
#OwningItOurDisabledChildhoods by 22 different voices in their own words @faberbooks #NetGalley
#disabledchildrenspartnership @barnesandnoble @childrensbookcouncil @bookshop_org @bookshop_org_uk @booksamillion @betterworldbooks @thriftbooks

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great anthology of different perspectives about growing up with a disability. I learned a lot. Some of the stories are so heartbreaking and I thank God every day that my child with cerebral palsy was born in this century and not the last one, omfg. Not to say it's been easy for him, but still. There are a couple of mean children written about in these stories that I would like to hit over the head with a frying pan.

Many of these stories seem like they were very therapeutic for the authors, esp when reexamining their childhoods. Some of the stories are written for adults and some are written for (or aimed at) children, so the book taken as a whole may not seem cohesive but I read it a bit at a time and it totally worked for me as a collection of divergent essays.

I follow a few of these authors online, and to see that they are now extremely successful adults is a delight.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book for anyone, but especially for kids with and without disabilities. I really like that there are a lot of disabilities and differences in this book (amputation, autism, face differences, deafness, visible/invisible conditions, etc.). I also appreciate that there is a mix of people who have had their disabilities at birth and others who have acquired them later in their childhood. Obviously these authors cannot speak for all young people with disabilities (and they don't pretend to), but there are things that I was able to relate to even though our disabilities might have differed quite a bit.

I really liked that the audiobook was mostly read by the authors, and highly recommend checking it out.

I received a free ALC for library employees from Libro.fm.

[Leeann · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Owning It: Our Disabled Childhoods.. in Our Own Words" is a collection of essays written by adults who have disabilities, reflecting back on their childhoods.. There are quite a variety of different types of disabilities represented. One of my favorite parts of the book was the personalized illustration at the start of each individual's essay. So many of the components of that person's story are found in the drawing at the start of their chapter. Really fantastic artwork!

I think many children (and adults too, really) would benefit from reading this book, whether disabled or not. I really enjoyed reading it, and my thanks to the Publisher (Faber & Faber) and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars, rounded up.

[Ann Schwarz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the short stories in this anthology. It gave a very realistic glimpse into what it is like to grow up with a disability. I also appreciated the fact that there was a real attempt to include authors with varying kinds of disabilities in the anthology. So, readers get a variation of perspectives that include physical or seen disabilities and those that are unseen, or not physical. Each storyteller in Owning It managed to infuse each short story with some measure of hopefulness for their audience as well. I think this is a great book to include in anyone's library or to introduce to kids in the middle grade to young adult age ranges.

I want to thank both NetGalley and Faber US for allowing me to read an eARC of Owning It in exchange for this honest review!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher (Faber US), via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are completely my own.

I wish there were more collections like this when I was younger. Reading this collection of short stories and essays, even now as an adult, gives me a sense of hope that acceptance and understanding will become even more wide spread. I related in some way to every single piece.

I do not think readers have to have a disability to enjoy this collection. It is not preachy in any way, shape or form.

[Laura Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

34th (audio)book of 2025
Short essays/stories written by adults about their childhood experiences as disabled youth (or youth with a disability depending on whether you prefer identity first or person first language). Great as an audiobook, as most stories were read by the authors themselves. Has me thinking lots about how we as a society raise kids who don't bully others for their differences.
Via Librofm Educator ALC program

[Jennybeast · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is awesome. I love the sheer range of humanity that is represented, and I love how unique and clear each voice is. I love that this is people remembering their childhoods, because in many ways that type of story is something most people can relate to, regardless of the reader's age. Unapologetic, honest -- I had so many different kinds of emotions reading it, from distress to aspiration. Fierce.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely FABULOUS collection of stories shared by a group of disabled authors/creators writing about what their childhoods growing up with various disabilities was like. It was especially good on audio read by the authors themselves and is sure to bring hope and meaning to young disabled readers!! 10/10 recommend!!!

[Leslie McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful collection of autobiographical stories. It's an important read for those who have children with a disability, particularly for the encouragement it delivers. The real-life stories offer readers hope that a greater sense of understanding will one day occur on a greater level.

[October · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this :)

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible people of these anthology, thank you so much for sharing your stories.💛

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good collection of autobiographical stories. I'd definitely recommend it to people who want to better understand what it's like to be disabled in many different ways.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The word disability is a universe within five syllables.”Imani Barbarin
“No one explains to disabled kids what will become of people like us. ..You need another disabled person to tell you what the possibilites actually are.”


Owning it is a fabulous collection of personal stories describing the experience of disabled childhood. In the introduction the editors write, “This is the book we’d had when we were young.” The stories come from a wide range of writers including an award winning poet, novelists and disability activists. The writers come from around the world and between them document a wide range of experiences of disability.

This is a book that I think we would all learn from and a powerful tool in developing empathy. This book really expanded my understanding of the huge range of, and vastly different experiences of disability, and how they impact on childhood. A girl on a water park trip, self conscious about the scars of her skin graft; the only one wearing swimming goggles because she doesn’t have tear ducts. A deaf boy living in a war zone.

The stories depict vastly different experiences from an amputee to a child with chronic migraine and very different geogaphy from Norway, Ukraine, US, UK to Iraq and Nigeria. However, there are several themes which unite them: the feeling of being different; questionning the future; navigating inflexible schools and systems and the journey they took to ‘owning it.’

There is a wonderful chapter by the author Elle McNicoll who writes, “I might as well have worn a sash with Autistic written on it…I was wearing a label I didn’t understand and I didn’t know how to fit into it.” She describes going to a dance as Persephone and deciding that “I would like myself so much, it would seem like defiance to neurotypicals.”

This is such an uplifing and empowering read, honest and often funny. Speaking from the future these writers document the highs and lows of their experience and also the possibiliites. A vital book for schools and libraries.

“what makes you different is what sets you apart.” Darren Hayes.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to the different narrators tell their personal story made this book on audio so much better than I had read the book myself.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic middle grade essay collection. I hope middle grade students are exposed to this book that showcases a wide range of experiences with disability.

[Sue.the.very.busy.reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Tara [@trusreads], for introducing me to Owning It: Our Disabled Childhoods… In Our Own Words.

This is a book that truly everyone should read—whether you're disabled, know someone who is, or simply care about being a kind and compassionate human being. The truth is, we all encounter people every day who are facing challenges, whether we see them or not.

Owning It is a powerful collection of 22 short stories written by young disabled writers, sharing their experiences in their own authentic voices. These stories invite us to step into their world, offering a deeper sense of empathy and understanding for individuals and families who may look, move, or live differently than we might expect.
“It’s just a part of my body. It’s part of what makes me… ME. And that’s enough.”
— All Bodies Are Good Bodies by Nina Tame

This book is a meaningful read for teachers, parents, and students alike. It’s perfect for sparking thoughtful conversations—whether in classrooms, family settings, or book clubs. With voices from different countries and a range of disabilities, Owning It beautifully reminds us of the importance of listening, learning, and honoring each person’s story.

Nov. 2025
I reread Owning It: Our Disabled Childhoods in Our Own Words this month with @middlegradegroupies. I loved it the first time, and on this reread I read with a more critical eye — and even discussed it with a few educators who work with disabled students.
I still highly recommend this book for teachers, parents, and middle schoolers and up. Each story is written by a disabled adult reflecting on their childhood — offering real insight and hope.
Education for disabled students is always evolving, but still too often shaped by budgets and barriers. Books like this help us listen, learn, and do better.
💬 Have any other great middle grade books — fiction or nonfiction — that help build empathy for disabled students? Drop them in the comments!