Diabetes Doesn't Stop Maddie!

February 1, 2020
Follow along on Maddie's first day back at school after a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. Maddie is understandably nervous; she's had a lot to learn and process. The very first page explains Type 1 diabetes: "Her body stopped making insulin, which turns sugar in food into energy." And on the next spread, readers see Maddie using her insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor and explaining them (in fairly adult language) to her younger brother. Packing for school is a bit complicated, what with the extra snacks and juice and backups for her monitor. Being prepared for her classmates' questions is another matter. Her friend Brianna's sister has diabetes, so she can answer many of the kids' questions, much to Maddie's relief. And Luis, whose grandfather has the disease, stands up for her when she needs a juice in art class and prompts her to cover up her CGM at a soccer game to avoid more questions. Di Gravio's illustrations capture emotions clearly, from Maddie's uncertainty and Brianna's matter-of-fact support to the curiosity, jealousy, and tendency to think the worst displayed by some of Maddie's diverse classmates. Maddie and her family are light skinned, Brianna has dark skin, and Luis is Latinx. Marsh's note describes her own connection to diabetes and her wish that no one should feel as though they are dealing with it alone. Both reassuring for those with diabetes and educational for those around them. (Picture book. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2020) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

April 1, 2020
Grades K-3 Finding out you have diabetes can be hard. In this picture book, Maddie has recently found out that she has type 1 diabetes, and she's anxious about going back to school and performing her new diabetes-care routine. How is she going to explain about low blood sugar, insulin pumps, glucose meters, and testing strips? All she wants is to be treated like everyone else, but she's sure there will be stares and questions. Though her school day is initially stressful, by the end?and with support from a few good friends?Maddie is able to overcome her fears and educate her classmates on type 1 diabetes. Ultimately, she learns that even with diabetes, she is just like everyone else. Cheery colors fill the pages of this story, providing some lift for its tough topic. Marsh infuses the narrative with her own experience and emotional understanding as a diabetic, making Maddie's character all the more relatable. A good purchase for any library.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)