The first thing about you by Chaz Hayden

When his family moves from California to New Jersey, Harris must start at a new school at age 15, trying to make new friends, meet girls, find classrooms and complete homework. He is also navigating the usual teen-age rites; going to parties, getting drunk, watching sport, preparing for college. Except Harris has spinal muscular atrophy, so uses a wheelchair and has a carer with him constantly, either the attractive young student-nurse Miranda, or his over-worked mother Clare.

This is the sweet story of a teenager acutely aware that others judge him on his disability. His unorthodox opening question, 'What is your favourite colour?' is his way of evening the score and making his own assumptions about others.

He is determined to upend his current image as a lonely wheel-chair-bound boy. This involves working through his relationships with his distant brother Ollie, his one nerdy friend Zander and new romantic interest, classmate Nory whose refusal to divulge her favourite colour is a source of frustration as he becomes more attracted to her. He also needs to weigh up the relative benefits of associating with either the geeks or the football jocks.

The secondary characters are highly engaging. Miranda, alumnus of Harris’ school, makes Harris feel valued, but she is preoccupied by the memory of her best friend’s death and the increasingly controlling behaviour of her boyfriend. Clare does a wonderful job of appearing laid-back when with him at school, but becomes a regular, if flawed mother at home.

As might be expected in a gritty coming-of-age story, there is some profanity, alcohol and drug use and implied coercive control, however this fitted within the characters’ personalities and was not gratuitous.

Hayden writes from experience, having SMA himself, and demonstrates the daily battles that a person with SMA must deal with; health issues, mobility, access to education, harassment, challenges with personal care etc. Some of these issues will be an uncomfortable eye-opener to many readers, but they are an essential part of Harris’ story, often explored in detail, but without feeling didactic.

The First Thing about You, ‘a classic boy-in-a-wheelchair meets girl love story’ is a powerful read, written with humour and insight. Teacher's notes are available.

Themes: Disability, Friendship, School-days, Own voice.

Margaret Crohn