Unbroken

This is an anthology for teens that explores disability from a fictional lens, so that it entertains as it teaches tolerance and compassion. Each short story’s author lives with a disability and writes about first loves, friendship, hardship, and adventure. Unbroken is for teen readers to step into the shoes of teens with disabilities so that they can understand other experiences besides their own. Understanding differences and recognizing one’s own positionality and privilege helps teen find their own agency, purpose, and empowered hope for the future. 

Unbroken is one of the books I regularly teach in my YA Literature class for the MFA in Writing program at Lindenwood University. The anthology features stories about teen protagonists who are dealing with—but not defined by—their disabilities. I love the range of the stories in terms of POV, theme, style, and genre. I’ve found that there is something to relate to for every student who reads these stories—whether because of their personal experience with a particular challenge faced by a character or because of a similar challenge faced by a friend or family member.