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“The book takes care to show that Mara’s difference from others in Sametown isn’t only her wheelchair use, but also her creativity and inventiveness. Co-author and dancer Ho discusses her own wheelchair use in an author’s note, which brings authenticity to the story.”

– Kirkus Reviews

Mighty Mara

Written by Carina Ho and Jesse Byrd
Illustrated by Mónica Paola Rodríguez
Published by Paw Prints Publishing

Welcome to Sametown where everyone and everything is…well…the same. Except Mara! She’s a little different. She’s bright. She’s sunny. And, unlike her classmates who are all planning on performing a similar magic show act at the school talent show, she is going to dance, dance, dance! One problem: everyone in Sametown – her classmates, her teacher-they all think she shouldn’t do it. And it’s not just (it seems) because dancing isn’t the status quo in Sametown…It’s because they just don’t believe in Mara. Mara won’t let their dissuading and even their heckling rock her spirit, though. She’s Mighty Mara, and she’s about to shake she some new life into her muted town. In the most surprising and beautiful of ways.

Look for the Spanish version, La Gran Mara (Mighty Mara).

Primary ISBN: 9781223186306
Publication Date: May 2023
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback
Picture Book, Age 05 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , ,

Setting: Unspecified

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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