Born With: Erika & Gianni

One-2-one

by Lorna Schultz Nicholson

2017 Red Maple Fiction Award finalist Meet Erika and One is a fifteen-year-old girl who loves to dance and sing and make people laugh. She tells people that she was born with an extra gene, but her sister has to buy hers at the mall (ha, ha!!). Being in three dance numbers in the school production of Grease is a big job, but with the help of her Best Buddy, Gianni, Erika knows she can be a star. The other is a Grade 11 boy with a secret. Like his Best Buddy, Erika, who was born with Down Syndrome, Gianni loves to sing and dance. He also knows that he was born different from the other boys in his school - but is he that different from Blake, the cool, attractive male lead in the school play? Or is he just imagining that the sparks between them are mutual? And will the rough gang of guys at school also pick up on who he really is? Told in the alternating voices of Erika and Gianni, Born With is the story of two teens who help each other to find their own versions of success and acceptance. Each One-to-One novel tells the story of a different pair of teens participating in the Best Buddies program at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School. Follow the lives of this group of friends who come together with different expectations and problems, seeing the world from their own unique perspectives and facing it head on together.

Genres: Young Adult, Canada, Fiction, Contemporary, LGBT, Middle Grade, Friendship

229 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2016

About the author

Lorna Schultz Nicholson is an award winning author who has published over 50 books, including children's picture books, middle grade, YA fiction and sports non-fiction. Lorna divides her time between Edmonton and Penticton, where she and her husband share their homes with their Mexican rescue dog.
http://www.facebook.com/lorna.s.nicho...
www.lornaschultznicholson.com
Instagram- Lorna Schultz Nicholson
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Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brilliant, poignant tale of two teen characters brought together by both their differences and common interests, will expand your heart and understanding. As you journey with Erika and Gianni, you are taken deep into their lives, personalities, and how they view the world. I was particularly taken with the realistic depiction of Erika and how having Down Syndrome shapes her perspective.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book almost 6 years ago and I’m so glad I found it again. I love this story and all it has to offer in regards to diversifying reading! The characters are so lovable and the story feel like you could put yourself right into it.

[Mallika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:

Born with is a book about two teens who have very different lives yet, they surprisingly get along. Erika, who is born with Down syndrome, and Gianni, who is struggling with his sexuality, are both passionate for singing and dancing. They both met each other at a program called the "best buddies program". It's a program where someone with a mental disability is paired with someone that doesn't have a mental disability. This led to Gianni and Erika to become great friends. After both of them discovering their common interests in singing and dancing, Erika and Gianni both audition for a role in a play, "the production of grease". These 2 months are going to be hectic for the two. How is Gianni supposed to talk to his parents about his sexuality? Especially since he's already being teased and bullied about it. He might be developing feelings for another boy, Bilal, who may also be struggling with his sexuality. While Erika on the other hand has to join dance classes and take extra practices to keep up with her 3 roles that she gets in the play. She already has such little time to do so much that her dad's ALS is getting in the way and making things harder. Erika is devastated to hear that her dad won't be able to make it to her performance for "the production of grease”, but she's not going to let that get in the way of her singing and dancing. On the other hand, this gang of bullies has been teasing Gianni about his sexuality which might be getting out of control. The gang had beaten up Gianni a week or two before the big day. Injured and hurt, Gianni still decided and managed to show up. After a long week of practices and hard work, the big day is finally here. Erika plays her first number, then she did her second number with Gianni. Finally she performed her third number. All the hard work finally paid off. Everyone is so proud of their performance. Just as the group is packing up and getting ready to leave, to Erika's surprise, she sees her dad come in a wheelchair, holding a bouquet of flowers. He was able to make it. After a big family photo, Erika, Gianni and the whole team that worked on "the production of grease" couldn't be happier.


Praise of the book:

Overall, born with was a great book but there were some things that could have made it better and more satisfying. I liked the book because it was a mixture of all genres. The book included drama, comedy, action and fiction. For example, Erika was always cracking jokes with her friends but there was always drama such as issues with friends and relationships. I like that because I am a type of reader that gets bored of a book quickly or gets distracted easily, so having a taste of all the genres kept me interested in the book. One thing I didn't like about the book was I had a lot of questions at the end such as, what happened with Bilal and Gianni? What about their sexuality? What happened with Erika's dad's ALS? Did it get cured? Since I had so many questions, in my opinion, the book left a lot of things hanging which wasn't very satisfying to me as a reader. In conclusion, the ending of “born with” wasn't very satisfying, but there were still many great qualities in the text which kept me interested in the story.

[Karen Upper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Another wonderfully moving story about 2 very different young people who discover by that being 'buddies' opens up a world of unexpected possibilities and self awareness!
Highly recommended!
5 stars!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. First book I have finished in a while. There were some good lessons in it with a cute story line. I would recommend it, it's worth a read.

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erika, who was born with Down Syndrome, is partnered with Gianni, who is struggling with his sexuality, through the school's Best Buddies program because of their common interest in dancing and singing. They have a beautiful, kind, and supportive friendship, each one offering the other something needed. As Erika deals with her father's illness and Gianni endeavours to feel accepted, they are also practising for their school musical. Born With is a fairly mature story, with themes of friendship, loyalty, kindness, bullying, and diversity. Powerful story - made me cry!

Short-listed for the 2018 MYRCA. Part of the One-2-One series.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book about fitting in and getting treated right.

One is a fifteen year old girl named Erika she loves to dance and sing.Erika lately has signed up for
Grease (A musical) and got 3 roles in it although its a lot of work Erika knows with her best buddy's
help Gianni she can do it all.

The other one is a sixteen year old boy named Gianni but he has a secret he doesn't want anyone to know.He helps out in the best buddy's group and his partner and friend is Erika.He also loves to dance and sing like his friend that has Erika that has down syndrome

Can they help each other accept being themselves?

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this book made me cry when Erika's dad was having problems and Erika didn't understand everything going on around her. I was so happy when Gianni finally told everyone that he was gay and when he told his parents that he didn't get the lead role. Gianni and Erika are perfect together, they make such a good team.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an interesting story. The author took a lot of time just to figure out how a life of a Down syndrome girl would seem like. It was fun and I think it is an important read because it shows what people might do, and how even if your life is like that, it can still be pretty good.

[Janna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I wasn't totally sure about the characterization of Erika when I started reading, but by the end I was on board. I'm enjoying this series and will be reading the next book soon, I'm sure.

[devynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a great story line but was a very easy read. Only one part of the book was exciting or interesting. The author could have done a much better job writing this book. I will sadly not be reading anymore of her books.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, with tons of great lessons. Only complaint; too much stuff.

[Midnight Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really like this book it was boring the first few chapters but then I kept reading it because I thought it would get better. SPOILER ALER: It didn't :( So i stopped reading it.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great novel about diversity from a Red Maple Award Nominee. Erika and Gianni are Best Buddies, paired up at school so that Gianni can help Erika who has Downs Syndrome. But Erika helps Gianni overcome his own difficulties with coming out and experiencing homophobia.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for my teen book club, the book didn't go over well. We liked that the author tried to have diverse characters but it felt forced. Interesting story telling with alternating chapters between Erika and Gianni.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born With: Erika and Gianni
(A One-2-One Book)
by Lorna Schultz Nicholson

Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC

Clockwise Press
Middle Grade

Pub Date 15 Sep 2016

I was given a copy of Born With Erika and Gianni through the publisher and their partnership with Netgalley in exchange for my honest review:

Erika Wheeler loves musicals, but finds herself with horrible stage fright when she tries out. Her nerves nearly get the better of he but she finally eases up, Erika also has Down Syndrome.

Gianni is Erika's friend who helps her and encourages her to audition. Erika also has an older sister Karina Wheeler whose in Grade 12. Gianni and Erika's Father has ALS and their Mom has to take care of him but it's Erika's job to feed him his dinner.

Some of Gianni's friend tease him and call Erika names but Gianni always sticks up for her.

Erika and Gianni is a wonderful book that encourages understanding and acceptances and reminds us that though someone may be different it doesn't give us a right to hate and bully.

This book would be awesome for Junior High and Highscoolers.

Five out of five stars

Happy Reading

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erika was born with Down Syndrome, and Gianni is her Best Buddy (a volunteer program called BestBuddies pairs a student with another student who has intellectual or developmental disabilities). Gianni suspects he may be gay.

The story is told in alternating chapters from Erika’s and Gianni’s points of view. Gianni and Erika have a common bond – they both like musical theater and are trying out for the high school production of Grease. Erika is also dealing with the fact her dad has ALS and is declining.

The book centers on the pair’s relationship and how they deal with their lives, but both come under fire by a group of boys who are targeting kids for their differences (others targeted because of race and religion).

The story is a good one and if you are a Wonder fan, this one’s for you.

I received a galley of this book from netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a fantastic book. It touched on the important issue of bullying, but added plenty of humour as well. The characters were likeable, and I fell in love with them right away. It was a great story about becoming comfortable with yourself. The only criticism I have is that the end left a few questions unanswered. Other than that, I loved it and can't wait to read other books in the series.

[Jia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just love this series, I honestly think each book in this series deserves a 4.5. I just needa read one more book to complete the series. Honestly can't wait for the last one because I already got a sneak peek at Anna. And from what I currently read, she's such a great character, and totally belongs with Justin! Janna+Austin forever!

Also Gianna has so much guts, like damn. He be touching him in the car already, no way Jose would I have that courage, no siree!

I might give all the books in this series a five depending on the last one, if it wins me over all the books get a five!

Also when I first read the summary I had no idea Gianni was gay, so I kinda assumed he liked Erika... thankfully not, that would have been so awkward to read.

We might see some lil action going on between Madeline and Harrison. ;)

By we I mean me. lol

Im such a weirdo.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born With is a touching story about two teens and their families. Gianni struggles with understanding his sexuality and how to come out to his family. He is Best Buddies with Erika who has Down Syndrome and they both love to sing and dance. Erika's family also face the additional challenge of Dad's struggle with ALS. The realism of the characters is very strong, it is wonderful to see Erika as a brave and smart heroine. Highly recommended for parents and teachers looking for books with diverse characters that will deepen their children's understanding of people who are different. They can also look to the other books in this One 2 One series for more.

[Owen.W · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite parts of this book is the different point of views from almost every character, and how they all "connected" to make one awesome book!. This is now one of my all time favorite books and I would like to see another book like this. Every time I was reading i was so excited to see what would happen next, it was a real page turner. I have bought the book and i haven't stopped reading it. I TOTALLY! recommend this book to any who loves books with a different points of view.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Born With is a heartwarming story about a girl named Erika who has Down syndrome and her best buddy Gianni who’s hiding a secret. This book revolves around their school production of Grease. I really liked this book because every chapter alternates between Erika’s and Gianni’s point of view. If you like reading about the different and unique troubles people go through in their lives then read Born With: Erika and Gianni.

[Randy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea in this book is a good one. The whole Best Buddies thing is worthy and kids need to eat about diverse characters. This book, however, . As be trying a little too hard. Not only is there a character with Down's Syndrome, but also a guy character and even one with ALS. That's a lot for one novel.

[Anaiyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. I think it was very relatable for teens because it was about finding yourself, for example when Gianni came to terms with being gay. I really liked "Fragile Bones" because it had a perspective of someone who had a disability which was really cool to experience. I liked "Born With" better because there was more than one person who was having troubles with who they were.

[Ash.Jess.Xo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the different aspects of this including Erika's and Gianni's separate problems and situations. It was paced well and the events were so interesting and I wish there was more. But the ending was sweet and cute which I fall for every time!

[Tfalcone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley for the free reading copy. I thought this was good YA lesson on topics of Down Syndrome, Homosexuality and sick parent. I wish we could have just focused on Erika's Down Syndrome, I think there were maybe too many issues at once, which diluted the focus a little.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 2016-2017 Red Maple nominated books. An excellent novel with many different layers that makes you think of your own acceptance of others.

[Jennifer Huang Macaroon Cupcake · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice book

[Amy Polegato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born With, written by Lorna Schultz Nicholson is a book about a girl named Erika who has Down Syndrome and a boy named Gianni who is coming to terms with his sexual orientation. Gianni is Erika’s best buddie. In this book the school is doing a big production of Grease for their school play and Erika and Gianni are both in it. This book switches between Gianni's and Erika’s perspective every chapter which really helps you see things from their different points of view. I think that it added more to the book because I got to know more about Erika and Gianni than I would have. They were both really amazing characters each different in their own ways. I really enjoyed this book I thought it was well written and that the story was very interesting, it also kept me wanting to read more.