My Left Foot
Cascades Series
on Goodreads (8,590)
What’s inside...
Christy Brown is born with cerebral palsy and through this inspiring book, he tells the story of how he overcame his condition to become an articulate and imaginative writer. The moving and inspiring autobiography of Christie Brown who is born with cerebral palsy but who overcomes his disability to become an articulate and imaginative writer. Also an Oscar-award-winning film starring Daniel Day-Lewis. The warm, humorous and true story of Christy Brown's supreme courage and triumph over the severest of handicaps.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
14-17
Length
192 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the main character's journey make you feel?
What did you learn about overcoming challenges from the story?
Can you think of a time when you had to use creativity to solve a problem?
Why is it important to never give up, even when things are hard?
How did the people around the main character help him succeed?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences.
Ask your child to draw a picture of a scene where the character faced a challenge and overcame it.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and brainstorm other examples of this trait either in real life or other stories.
Create a 'can-do' list with your child, noting down all the things they've achieved that they initially thought were hard.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The story depicts the protagonist overcoming physical challenges through determination and relentless effort.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of not giving up in the face of difficulties, whether it be learning a new skill or dealing with everyday obstacles.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Adaptability
Explanation: The main character uses creative ways to interact with the world, showcasing that there are multiple ways to solve problems.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to think creatively in problem-solving and adapt to situations by finding unique solutions.
Example Lesson: Self-acceptance
Explanation: The protagonist's journey includes learning to accept and love themselves as they are despite societal expectations.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of embracing their individuality and can foster a healthy self-image.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The book gives insight into the life of someone with significant physical challenges, fostering a sense of empathy in readers.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding to be more considerate and kind to people who are different from them in their community.