How to Roller-Skate with One Leg

About this book

When an accident means that 12-year-old Maya must have a leg amputated, a year of gruelling medical appointments and physio follows. The main story kicks off as she returns to school – very happy to be back doing normal things with her friends again. 

While some things may have changed (such as her best friend apparently having ditched her for the ‘cool girls’), Maya’s not going to let having a prosthetic leg diminish her sense of adventure or her playful sense of humour. She sets to work fulfilling a ‘lifegoals list’ she’d written before the accident. And now there’s an added item on the list – showing her former best friend what she’s missing!  

This is a gentle, uplifting story about friendship, family, growing up and learning to adjust. With the support of her parents and brilliant friends Vita and Miles, a resilient Maya learns that she can achieve almost goal she sets herself – even roller-skating and ‘going viral’. 

But it’s not all plain sailing – there are moments of resentment and regret. Plus there’s the frustration of inaccessible buildings. And a spirited (aka stubborn) Maya must also learn that while pushing yourself can reap rewards, there can also be painful setbacks.   

This convincingly-told story is no doubt enhanced by the fact that the author is herself an amputee. It’s entertaining and encouraging, and enriched with plenty of humour – and a whole load of guinea pigs!