My Life Beyond Sickle Cell Disease by Guillaume Federighi AKA Hey Gee is a graphic novel based on a real life Mayo Clinic patient. We are introduced to Arabella, a 14 year old aspiring track star who is training for the international races. With each race she attempts, her sickle cells affect her in different ways but she doesn’t let that stop her.. With big dreams and optimism, we see her determination not allowing her illness to defeat her. As we learn the ways she manages to work through her challenges, we watch her embrace her “nothing is impossible” mantra to achieve her goals and live the best life she can.

This is such a wonderful book to share with kids to learn more about sickle cell disease from the perspective of a kid. This isn’t just an inspiring read watching her work hard through her challenges to reach her life goals and is a great lesson to be gained. Also, there is information and resources at the conclusion that will allow you to learn more.

This is 40 pages. The reading level is 8-12 years old.

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My Life Beyond Depression is part of a series that gives us insight beyond the scenes of a young girl facing challenges and coping with depression. Based on the story of a real life patient, Gifty, this graphic novel brings awareness through the point of view of a young person dealing with depression.

Bindi, physically disabled from a stroke earlier in life, has been battling depression due to her circumstances. As she gets older, wanting to fit in and be a young kid, the challenges from her trauma have not enabled her to participate in the normal activities that her peers engage in. Through her story, we learn what she goes through. how she deals with things and what she does to make things better.

In today's times, so many young people go through so much. It’s hard being a kid today. They may not have the same experience but might have gone through something that makes them feel the same. What I love about her is how she encourages you to reach out when you feel no hope. With acknowledgement there are times that you can deal with things yourself, reach out because there are people that love you.

I feel that with her circumstances, seeing this from her youthful perspective, can be impactful. For other young people with similar circumstances or those who have found themselves feeling the same, this hopefully will be an uplifting story that will give them courage and learn ways to cope and manage to make their lives more optimistic.

The age range s 8-12. The book has 40 pages.

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