Praise for SAY WHAT YOU WILL: “This is a book to read, savor, and pass on and on until it has gone around the world twice.” - Ron Koertge, author of Stoner & Spaz
“Exhilarating and heartrending.This novel is stunning.” - ALA Booklist (starred review)
“Readers will be surprised, moved, amused, worried, hopeful, and grateful.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“McGovern’s triumph is how well she normalizes and highlights the variety of disability experiences among teens and their often circuitous journeys toward claiming their voices and right to self-determination. Ultimately, a deeply engaging and rewarding story.” - Kirkus Reviews
“What this book does best is move beyond the typical concerns and stigmas people with disabilities inevitably encounter to present an honest portrayal of the difficulties of growing up faced by these particular characters.” - The Horn Book
“Cammie McGovern channels her knowledge and passion for specialneeds kids. Like the deservedly best-selling Wonder by R.J. Palacio—required reading for every family—this doesn’t just get you talking, it gets you thinking, feeling and rejoicing.” - Family Circle
“McGovern’s books are created and written to make the readers think carefully about the themes presented in the stories. Her beautifully written novels feature people who are different in some way; developmentally delayed or suffering from cerebral palsy, obsessive compulsive disorder, or autism. Her stories make people who are “different” more accessible to all of us.” - Examiner.com
“McGovern’s books make readers think carefully about the themes presented. Her beautifully written novels feature people who are different in some way; developmentally delayed or suffering from cerebral palsy, obsessive compulsive disorder, or autism. Her stories make people who are “different” more accessible to all of us.” - Examiner.com
“McGovern writes convincingly about characters trying to figure out how best to live with the complications of a disability, both the person whom it most affects and also those around him or her. Benny’s voice deserves to be read aloud in a classroom.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
“In her debut novel for middle grade readers, McGovern presents a heart-filled story of a likable boy who doesn’t realize that his natural gifts are recognizable and valued by a supportive family and his teacher Mr. Norris. There are many moments that will ring true to middle grade readers: feeling anxious about friendships, wanting to be noticed, and trying to do the right thing. Recommend this sensitive novel to fans of Lisa Graff’s Absolutely Almost and Rob Buyea’s Because of Mr. Terupt.” - School Library Journal
“A heart-filled story of a likable boy who doesn’t realize that his natural gifts are recognizable and valued by a supportive family. There are many moments that will ring true to middle grade readers: feeling anxious about friendships, wanting to be noticed, and trying to do the right thing.” - School Library Journal
“Benny’s first-person narrative radiates with exactly the kind of compassion his mother recommends. Like many nine-year-olds, Benny can be guileless in one moment and wise beyond his years in another. Highly recommended for fans of realistic fiction by writers such as Ann M. Martin or Lisa Graff.” - ALA Booklist
“Benny’s first-person narrative radiates with exactly the kind of compassion his mother recommends: to ease your own pain, try to help others. Like many nine-year-olds, Benny can be guileless in one moment and wise beyond his years in another, and his fascination with LEGO Minifigures will likely delight many young readers, who might share his hobby. In addition, Benny’s goodhearted family embraces a well-rounded life, supporting each other even when it’s tough. Highly recommended for fans of realistic fiction by writers such as Ann M. Martin or Lisa Graff.” - ALA Booklist
“Just My Luck is very poignant and will strike a familiar chord with readers of all ages.” - Jennifer Armstrong, Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, Vt.
“I loved this portrait of a young boy struggling to find his role in a family determined not to be defined by their differences. Benny’s brave story, told with wry humor, is inspirational.” - Ann M. Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Rain Reign
“In her first middle-grade novel, McGovern brings readers fully into Benny’s troubled thoughts, making a clear distinction between the things that he can’t control (his father’s health, his brother’s autism) and the things that he can. McGovern’s thoughtful depiction of a family facing difficult situations without fracturing, coupled with a gentle message about not being too hard on oneself, will surely speak to middle schoolers with their own slate of worries.” - Publishers Weekly
“McGovern’s thoughtful depiction of a family facing difficult situations without fracturing, coupled with a gentle message about not being too hard on oneself, will surely speak to middle schoolers with their own slate of worries.” - Publishers Weekly
“McGovern’s observations about ordinary-seeming life and about the people around us, about small acts of kindness and healing and forgiveness, are perceptive and thought-provoking.” - The Horn Book
“In narrator Benny, readers find a resilient and very observant 9-year-old who accepts those around him with their strengths and shortcomings alike. His story is insightful and inspirational.” - Kirkus Reviews
“McGovern writes convincingly about characters trying to figure out how best to live with the complications of a disability, both the person whom it most affects and also those around him or her. She manages to keep Benny’s voice authentic and still draw a rich cast of minor characters. As she does for older teens in Say What You Will and A Step Toward Falling, she offers younger readers a compelling story filled with people they will care about. Benny’s voice deserves to be read aloud in a classroom.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)