Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
- Downloads：5044
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-08-03 06:54:53
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Sonia Sotomayor
- ISBN：0525514120
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary
Feeling different， especially as a kid， can be tough。 But in the same way that different types of plants and flowers make a garden more beautiful and enjoyable， different types of people make our world more vibrant and wonderful。
In Just Ask， United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor celebrates the different abilities kids （and people of all ages） have。 Using her own experience as a child who was diagnosed with diabetes， Justice Sotomayor writes about children with all sorts of challenges—and looks at the special powers those kids have as well。 As the kids work together to build a community garden， asking questions of each other along the way， this book encourages readers to do the same: When we come across someone who is different from us but we're not sure why， all we have to do is Just Ask。
In Just Ask， United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor celebrates the different abilities kids （and people of all ages） have。 Using her own experience as a child who was diagnosed with diabetes， Justice Sotomayor writes about children with all sorts of challenges—and looks at the special powers those kids have as well。 As the kids work together to build a community garden， asking questions of each other along the way， this book encourages readers to do the same: When we come across someone who is different from us but we're not sure why， all we have to do is Just Ask。
Reviews
Matthew
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Honestly， I don't know that I was expecting something this good from an author who is so much more famous for her work as a Supreme Court Justice。 Still， this was a truly remarkable book。 It describes children who have a number of different diagnoses and conditions and what it is about them that people should know for a start。 It comes from Sotomayor's own experience as a child with childhood diabetes and how others didn't know how to perceive the differences they observed when she was treating Honestly， I don't know that I was expecting something this good from an author who is so much more famous for her work as a Supreme Court Justice。 Still， this was a truly remarkable book。 It describes children who have a number of different diagnoses and conditions and what it is about them that people should know for a start。 It comes from Sotomayor's own experience as a child with childhood diabetes and how others didn't know how to perceive the differences they observed when she was treating herself with insulin。 This book does a great job of making the seemingly forbidden curiosities children have become points for observing strengths。 It was nicely done。 。。。more
Erin Cogdell
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Este libro enseña a los niños que está bien ser diferente o tener una condición médica。 Es un libro muy bueno para leer a sus niños si usted quiere enseñarles cómo ser respetuosos de las diferencias de otras personas y estar cómodo con las suyas。
Allison Frank
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I think this is a great book to read to student to help them understand their and other differences and how it makes them unique。
Julie Schroeder
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This would be a great read for classroom teachers to understand differences！
Soad Altaai
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Great book， to teach children， about how the importance of asking questions and building a safe space for children to learn about different types of disability
Cindy Gonzalez
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A very diverse book not only about race but disabilities， medical conditions and more！
Dyanna Humphrey
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United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor celebrates the diversity of differently-abled children as they create a garden together。 The story begins by telling Sotomayor’s own story of growing up with diabetes and feeling different from the other children。 Just Ask！ provides a conversation and explanation of some of the differently-abled children someone might encounter while socializing with other children such as diabetes， asthma， autism， down syndrome， food allergies， and more。 It al United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor celebrates the diversity of differently-abled children as they create a garden together。 The story begins by telling Sotomayor’s own story of growing up with diabetes and feeling different from the other children。 Just Ask！ provides a conversation and explanation of some of the differently-abled children someone might encounter while socializing with other children such as diabetes， asthma， autism， down syndrome， food allergies， and more。 It also encourages them to ask questions if they are curious about something and not to just stare awkwardly。 With each turn of a page we meet a different child with a special thing that makes them different， as well as， asks a question to the reader to help them relate to each character in the book。 The book concludes by encouraging children to ask the adults in their lives questions about the things that may seem different or new to them if their friends aren’t ready; don’t want to， or can’t explain their condition and affirms that our differences are what makes our world a special place。 Rafael Lopez is an award-winning illustrator and artist whose work is also known in books such as “Drum Dream Girl” and “Book Fiesta。” He uses brightly painted illustrations to reinforce the story of differently-abled children working together to create a garden。 The bright colors he uses help the reader have a positive experience while reading and discussing a book about a topic that may be difficult for some to talk about。United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor creates a window into each differently-abled child's experiences and provides a mirror as well by asking the reader to relate to the situation presented in the text。 By doing this she sheds light on issues that are often ignored because it can be uncomfortable to recognize out loud。 Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor creates inclusivity between non-differently abled， and differently-abled children by showing how each character handles their ability。 She shows that there is more than one way a differently-abled person’s ability might be presented， such as having autism where a child is calmed when he counts or having non-verbal autism。 She emphasizes that abilities like blindness might not all look the same and how each person can use different things to help with their ability。 Teachers in lower and upper levels could use this book to help facilitate a safe place for conversation between abled and differently able students。 Not only is the conversation inclusive to all， but it also celebrates diversity within the differently-abled community。 Sotomayor mentions that while she is okay with answering questions not everyone that is differently-abled will。 By mentioning that not everybody will want to answer questions about their differences; this removes the entitlement of the questioner expecting an answer。 Instead， the reader is encouraged to ask a teacher or parent。 Teachers could also use other books such as The Proudest Blue （a story about a Muslim American girl and her choice to wear a hijab）， and Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border （a story that shares a families visit their grandma through the fence at the Mexican/California border）， to facilitate more conversations about diversity， inclusivity， and empathy。United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is a New York-born author with degrees from Princeton and Yale Law。 She began her career as a litigation attorney。 In 1991， she was nominated by President George H。W。 Bush to the US District Court of Southern New York and was nominated again in 1997 for the Second Circut of the US Court of Appeals by President Clinton。 However， she is most known for her nomination to Associate Justice of the Supreme Court by President Obama in 2009。 She made history by becoming the first Latina woman in the Supreme Court。 Justice Sotomayor has written many children's books to help spread social equity。 Illustrator and artist Rafael Lopez's work is known for celebrating diversity and inclusivity in his art。 He has worked on many other books and won awards such as the Pura Belpre， Tomas Rivera Children’s Book Award， and the Society of Illustrators Original Art Silver Medal。 Lopez also has helped create social change by using his art to develop official posters for both of President Obama's campaigns， contributing to President Obama’s win of the Hispanic votes， and has also designed seven postage stamps for the United States。 。。。more
Elizabeth
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1
Travis
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I am neutral on the content。 It wasn't super great， it wasn't bad。 I can see merit in some of the good reviews and some of the negative reviews。 I'm sure it fills an important need in teaching children。 I'm not the target audience。 I read it because I'm interested in the profession of the author。I want to warn readers that this book does not do well on Kindle。 It is very difficult to read on a device。 I had to read it on a computer monitor in order to see the words and appreciate the illustratio I am neutral on the content。 It wasn't super great， it wasn't bad。 I can see merit in some of the good reviews and some of the negative reviews。 I'm sure it fills an important need in teaching children。 I'm not the target audience。 I read it because I'm interested in the profession of the author。I want to warn readers that this book does not do well on Kindle。 It is very difficult to read on a device。 I had to read it on a computer monitor in order to see the words and appreciate the illustrations。 But， haven't done so， I'm glad I did。 。。。more
Rowan County Public Library
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This is a sweet children's book about lots of differently abled friends working together to plant a garden。 The author explains， when you're curious about other kids， just ask！ Some people won't like to talk about themselves， but you'll be surprised what you can learn。Atlanta — Circulation This is a sweet children's book about lots of differently abled friends working together to plant a garden。 The author explains， when you're curious about other kids， just ask！ Some people won't like to talk about themselves， but you'll be surprised what you can learn。Atlanta — Circulation 。。。more
Reader
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For Goodreads RepositoryDiverse SocietyRealistic FictionWritten by Minority Author Covers many topics that kids will encounter and may have questions about。
Karol Silverstein
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I've been meaning to read this book for a long time， and now that I finally got to it， I must say I really enjoyed Just Ask。 The structure of the story， with each kid sharing details about his/her/their disabilities and then asking a question that invites the next character "to the stage，" was inventive and fun。 The illustrations are delightful， and the community garden was a lovely way to connect all of the children featured。I was aware of some backlash toward this book related to children's pr I've been meaning to read this book for a long time， and now that I finally got to it， I must say I really enjoyed Just Ask。 The structure of the story， with each kid sharing details about his/her/their disabilities and then asking a question that invites the next character "to the stage，" was inventive and fun。 The illustrations are delightful， and the community garden was a lovely way to connect all of the children featured。I was aware of some backlash toward this book related to children's privacy concerns， so I had that in mind before reading。 I have to say， I really don't agree with the concerns I've heard expressed。 Sotomayor clearly lets it be known that some people are more comfortable answering questions than others， which I think allows children to decline to answer questions if they prefer （and prepares others that their question may not always be answered）。 As a disabled person myself， I personally prefer that people ask me questions if they're curious rather than be distracted by unasked questions。 The fact that each child's diagnoses was mentioned matter-of-factly rather than vaguely or avoided altogether is also something I really appreciated about this book。 Disability is not something that should be whispered cautiously or "downplayed" with silly euphemisms。 Owning and embracing my diagnosis gives me grace and power around it - rather than giving my disability power over me。Nice job Justice Sotomayor！ 。。。more
Sherry
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A children's book but with a message we all should remember to evoke。 Illustrations are delightful。 A children's book but with a message we all should remember to evoke。 Illustrations are delightful。 。。。more
Nativity Peace Library
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Reading Level: Pre-K-Grade 5Tags: Individuality-Fiction， Friendship-Fiction， African American， Friendship， ADHD， Autism， Diversity， Inclusion， Picture Book，
Kendra
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A great book for kids to learn about common disabilities， health concerns， or neurodiverse conditions of their peers。
Xavier University Library
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While I appreciate the intention behind the topic， the differences that were presented in the book as examples felt a bit dated （at least to me）。 I think if there had been more consideration to issues kids are currently feeling insecure about that this would have felt much more successful in what it set out to do - show that we all have unique perspectives and gifts that are the result of our differences。
Monique
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Justice Sotomayor explains different disabilities from a kids viewpoint。 Great way to discuss why people are different and why。 Sometimes you have to get to know people and ask questions so you can have a better understanding。
Cecilia Hendricks
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What a wonderful book！ All children should read this book。
Elizabeth S
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Sonia， thank you for such a valuable book。 In the book， Sonia explains that she has diabetes and that is why she gives herself shots。 We are then introduced to kids who have Tourette's， or are deaf， or a number of other physical and mental conditions。 The condition is explained in a short， matter-of-fact way， helping kids （and adults！） see that the condition doesn't define anyone。 It just makes them interesting。 Each kid's story leads into the next kid， making the overall book cohesive。 Sonia， thank you for such a valuable book。 In the book， Sonia explains that she has diabetes and that is why she gives herself shots。 We are then introduced to kids who have Tourette's， or are deaf， or a number of other physical and mental conditions。 The condition is explained in a short， matter-of-fact way， helping kids （and adults！） see that the condition doesn't define anyone。 It just makes them interesting。 Each kid's story leads into the next kid， making the overall book cohesive。 。。。more
Hannah Bustos
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I really enjoyed "Just Ask！: Be Different， Be Brave， Be You" by Sonia Sotomayor。 The book follows Sonia and her friends as they plant flowers in a garden。 Throughout the book she compares people and our differences to the differences in flowers in a garden。 I thought that the great message about making an effort to get to know those around you as some of our differences aren't ones you can see。 I had gotten this because it was labeled as a latinx book。 While the author and illustrator are both l I really enjoyed "Just Ask！: Be Different， Be Brave， Be You" by Sonia Sotomayor。 The book follows Sonia and her friends as they plant flowers in a garden。 Throughout the book she compares people and our differences to the differences in flowers in a garden。 I thought that the great message about making an effort to get to know those around you as some of our differences aren't ones you can see。 I had gotten this because it was labeled as a latinx book。 While the author and illustrator are both latinx I think the book is more focused on teaching about inclusivity within the realm of disabilities。 。。。more
Abby combs
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Great easy to follow storyline portrays a beautiful message to brighten students days and offer a new perspective on differences they may notice every day。 Rafael Lopez creates beautiful illustrations to keep students interested and engaged
Amanda Calegan
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This book is amazing！！！！ The book focuses on all dis/abilities for a brief moment。 I feel as an educator this is a wonderful book to introduce diversity to students。 The book does an absolutely wonderful job of bringing people together。 Each page is filled with wonderful illustrations as well as language。 I really enjoyed how each page included a questions as well。 The book begins with one dis/ability and ended with many because each question embarked another dis/ability。 The book also shows stu This book is amazing！！！！ The book focuses on all dis/abilities for a brief moment。 I feel as an educator this is a wonderful book to introduce diversity to students。 The book does an absolutely wonderful job of bringing people together。 Each page is filled with wonderful illustrations as well as language。 I really enjoyed how each page included a questions as well。 The book begins with one dis/ability and ended with many because each question embarked another dis/ability。 The book also shows students to embrace their differences rather than hide them。 Each character had a dis/ability however they did not let it stop them， they still enjoyed life and were having fun。 。。。more
Jami Hines
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Just Ask written by Sonia Sotomayor is a great way to introduce some heavy topics into the lives of small children。 The author compares flowers and plants to children。 Some plants require sunlight， shade， and can be fragile or hardy。 Children can be in a hurry， take their time， can be shy or loud。 These are great comparisons for children to understand。 The book demonstrates different disabilities that children and other people face that can be challenging， describes what the subject is about on Just Ask written by Sonia Sotomayor is a great way to introduce some heavy topics into the lives of small children。 The author compares flowers and plants to children。 Some plants require sunlight， shade， and can be fragile or hardy。 Children can be in a hurry， take their time， can be shy or loud。 These are great comparisons for children to understand。 The book demonstrates different disabilities that children and other people face that can be challenging， describes what the subject is about on the surface level， then gives the tools that are needed to be productive in their daily life。 I enjoy how the author gives each person a name and describes the event。 I think this is a great book to introduce to young readers。 This book gives enough information to young readers to know just enough about different types of people and how they function in their daily life。 It is okay just to be you。 This is a great introduction book。 。。。more
Emily Bowers
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This is one of the best books I have read。 The message this book portrays is great and crucial for kids to learn。 Everyone is different in their own ways and it shows that meaning unique is great。 It teaches kids about ADHD， Autism， Down Syndrome， wheel chairs， being blind， deaf， etc。 Everyone is their own flower in a garden and if everyone was the same the garden would look boring and not as colorful and pretty。summary: A book that talks about things that make children unique。 Compares a beauti This is one of the best books I have read。 The message this book portrays is great and crucial for kids to learn。 Everyone is different in their own ways and it shows that meaning unique is great。 It teaches kids about ADHD， Autism， Down Syndrome， wheel chairs， being blind， deaf， etc。 Everyone is their own flower in a garden and if everyone was the same the garden would look boring and not as colorful and pretty。summary: A book that talks about things that make children unique。 Compares a beautiful garden of many different flowers to children。 Nobody wants to all look the same; it would be a dull world。 Teaches children about ADHD， autism， down-syndrome， etc。 Ask questions when you are curious， never assume！ Speak up。 。。。more
Abigail Veillon
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There are many different kinds of plants that grow in Sonia's garden。 They have different smells， different shapes， and different colors。 This book works to teach young readers that each kid is different too， but those differences are what make us unique。 The author knows that not everyone is comfortable answering personal questions， but she encourages readers to ask those questions that they may be scared of。 Sonia begins by explaining to the audience that she has diabetes which means she has t There are many different kinds of plants that grow in Sonia's garden。 They have different smells， different shapes， and different colors。 This book works to teach young readers that each kid is different too， but those differences are what make us unique。 The author knows that not everyone is comfortable answering personal questions， but she encourages readers to ask those questions that they may be scared of。 Sonia begins by explaining to the audience that she has diabetes which means she has to take insulin to remain healthy。 The next character， Rafael， has asthma， and he explains how his inhaler can help him。 As the book progresses， we meet a variety of people who each explain what makes them different。 This book does an amazing job of explaining how people are more than their disability。 They may do things differently or need a few extra tools to help them， but we are all the same。 I particularly enjoyed the illustrations which were so bright and lively。 The garden metaphor that was referenced at the beginning of the text is carried throughout with small details like the rose Sonia is sitting in while she administers the insulin。 While the text may be a bit too advanced for K-1st grade， this book would be perfect for upper elementary students。 This is definitely worth reading！ 。。。more
Jordyn
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Just Ask！: Be Different， Be Brave， Be You shares a story of children building a community garden。 Even though it may not always be apparent each child faces a different challenge。 Some children have asthma while other children have autism。 These challenges no longer must be a secret and the book encourage children to speak openly about their challenges。 I would recommend this book to all children four through eight years old with or without challenges。 This book can approach a difficult subject Just Ask！: Be Different， Be Brave， Be You shares a story of children building a community garden。 Even though it may not always be apparent each child faces a different challenge。 Some children have asthma while other children have autism。 These challenges no longer must be a secret and the book encourage children to speak openly about their challenges。 I would recommend this book to all children four through eight years old with or without challenges。 This book can approach a difficult subject of helping children talk different about different disabilities。 The best part about this book is that it is presented in a very joyful way as sometimes discussing challenges can be difficult or scary for children。 Families and teachers alike can use this book to help talk about their differences with others and feel confident。 This will help all children show that differences do not have to stand in your way of make great friendships or doing great things。 。。。more
Gina
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The framing of this book is that gardens have all different kinds of plants like fruits， flowers， grasses; some plants need shade， some need lots of watering， etc。 Then there's a page for each kid explaining something about themselves， like a blind kid， an autistic kid， a kid who uses a wheelchair。 The main theme is diversity， and each kid explains how they're like other kids， in addition to what's different about them。 It's a bit more informational than other similar books。 It's a bit wordy for The framing of this book is that gardens have all different kinds of plants like fruits， flowers， grasses; some plants need shade， some need lots of watering， etc。 Then there's a page for each kid explaining something about themselves， like a blind kid， an autistic kid， a kid who uses a wheelchair。 The main theme is diversity， and each kid explains how they're like other kids， in addition to what's different about them。 It's a bit more informational than other similar books。 It's a bit wordy for a picture book， I'd guess appropriate for early elementary school。 The art is really cute。 。。。more
Alaina Portwood
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This book shows how children are all beautiful in different ways。 It is great to be different in unique and your own way it make our world wonderful。
Morgan Sackella
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I really enjoyed how this book introduces you to multiple different children each having something that makes them unique。 One feature about this book I really liked was how on each page the author asked a question。 Therefore， there were multiple opportunities to reflect。 While reading this book you may be able to relate to a character or it will just give you an opportunity to learn a little bit about the different disabilities some people have。
Autumn
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