Gabe & Izzy: Standing Up for America's Bullied

Gr 7 Up—When she was 12, Gabrielle (Gabe) Ford was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia, a disease that causes nervous system damage. She lost her balance and muscle control and, with them, her dreams of becoming a dancer. Classmates at school bullied her, and she sank into depression. When she adopted Izzy, a coonhound with health troubles similar to her own, Ford was able to take control of her life by caring for her dog. Narrator Susan Bennett's soothing voice leads the listener though Ford's story from diagnosis to despair and from Izzy's adoption to Ford's struggles to help Izzy with her medical issues. Ford describes how she found support from her community—many of whom bullied her through school—and the world through telling her story. This book will appeal to animal lovers, those who like stories about overcoming adversity, and people wishing to help end bullying.— Amanda Rollins, Northwest Village School, Plainville, CT