A moving story of the transforming power of love and the bonds between siblings that even polio cannot weaken.
Anna loves to dance with her beloved sister Katya in the meadow of their family’s Wisconsin farm. But one summer, Katya is overcome by a high fever, and the doctor delivers a grim diagnosis: polio. Although she recovers from the lingering illness, Katya’s legs are left weakened and twisted. Now, Anna carries Katya to the meadow and dances alone for her sister. Together they dream of a time when Katya will be able to join her again. When Mama and Papa announce that Katya must go to a hospital in the city where doctors will try to make her legs strong again. Anna worries: Will the treatment and Katya’s “pioneer spirit” allow her to dance once again?
In an afterword, author Dori Chaconas and illustrator Constance R. Bergum each offer true stories of their families’ personal battles with polio.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Inside Flap:
ANNA AND HER LITTLE SISTER KATYA LIVE ON A WISCONSIN FARM. THEIR FAVORITE GAME IS DANCING IN THE MEADOW, PRETENDING THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL BALLERINAS IN SATIN SLIPPERS WITH RIBBONS TIED AROUND THEIR ANKLES. BUT WHEN KATYA FALLS ILL WITH A MYSTERIOUS CRIPPLING DISEASE CALLED POLIO, HER DANCING DREAMS ARE PUT ON HOLD-PERHAPS FOREVER. EVEN THOUGH KATYA'S HEALTH IMPROVES, THE SICKNESS HAS LEFT HER LEGS WEAK AND MISSHAPENED. MAMA AND KATYA MUST TRAVEL TO A SPECIAL HOSPITAL IN MINNEAPOLIS, WHERE KATYA WILL LEARN TO WALK AGAIN. WHILE WAITING EAGERLY FOR HER SISTER'S RETURN, ANNA DREAMS OF RETURNING ONCE MORE TO THEIR BALLERINA GAME. KATYA'S HOMECOMING, HOWEVER, IS BITTERSWEET. SHE HAS UGLY, BULKY BRACES ON HER LEGS, AND WALKS AS STIFFLY AS A DIME STORE SOLDIER. BOTH GIRLS ARE SORELY DISAPPOINTED, AND KATY GROWS INCREASINLGLY DESPONDENT. ULTIMATELY, THOUGH, ANNA USSES HER INGENUITY-AND HER HEART-TO FIND A WAY FOR HER SISTER TO DANCE AGAIN, IN HER OWN JOYOUS WAY.
From the Back Cover:
The Sills turn their wicked wit on the entire world of birdwarching in a hysterical parody of your favorite birding magazine.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherPeachtree
- Publication date2007
- ISBN 10 1561453765
- ISBN 13 9781561453764
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages32
- IllustratorBergum Constance R.
-
Rating