SuitabookBeing understood beyond appearance
Harriet has cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair and has a dysarthric voice that leads others to make assumptions about her abilities and thoughts.
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Book details
Kate Darbishire - Author
This is an emotionally direct school-and-family story about being misread, finding ways to communicate and learning to recognise a person beyond appearance or speech. Harriet’s perspective gives disability, irritation, humour and courage a central place.
Book Brief
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Sign in for personalised guidanceThis is an emotionally direct school-and-family story about being misread, finding ways to communicate and learning to recognise a person beyond appearance or speech. Harriet’s perspective gives disability, irritation, humour and courage a central place.
Harriet has cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair and has a dysarthric voice that leads others to make assumptions about her abilities and thoughts.
At a new secondary school, classmates ignore or laugh at Harriet, while Charlotte tries to communicate with her; their relationship is presented as uncertain at first.
Ridicule and exclusion at school, communication frustration, a parent’s hospitalisation and a family member acting unusually are all worth noting.
This is a grounded book brief while Suitabook strengthens the analysis: some draft conclusions still depend on unresolved evidence.
Anything not established here remains open; it is not being treated as absent or safe.
These links show the original reading lists. Inclusion is not a guarantee of suitability for your child.