Book Talk: "Figure It Out, Henry Weldon" - Representation Matters in Disability Literature
In this book talk, disability rights activist Helena Donato-Sapp enthusiastically introduces "Figure It Out, Henry Weldon" from the NEA Disability Awareness book list. The book features a protagonist with dyscalculia, a condition Helena shares, making it a deeply personal and emotional read for her. Helena emphasizes the importance of diverse representation in literature, highlighting how seeing herself reflected as a Black girl poet with dyscalculia in the book is a powerful experience. She urges educators to build classroom libraries with diverse books that mirror students' experiences and recommends this young adult novel for students who struggle with math.