As we wrap up 2024, we wanted to share all of the books we loved in one place! We try to share a variety of books: some to educate, some to share with kiddos, some to laugh and some to spark joy. We hope that you’ve had a chance to enjoy a few on our list and if not, there’s always 2025! 

 

A Year of Positive Thinking by Cyndie Spiegel

Searching for some more positivity in your life? What if I told you the best way to achieve that is right within YOU!? A positive mindset is one very powerful way to change your outlook on many things. Cyndie Spiegel, author of A Year of Positive Thinking is an honest, empowering voice to help readers realize their inspired potential. Whether you’re looking for courage, repair, inspiration, gratitude, kindness, or wisdom, you’ll find it all (and then some!) in this book. 

No matter what day of the year you start this book, you’re sure to find more positivity with each page you turn. While the book is written by dates through the year, no matter the date you pick it up, the daily wisdom will inspire you all year long! While reading, you may stumble across an excerpt that just gives you that “ah-hah” moment, and you may think to yourself, “I can do that!” Like on July 20th, Cyndie writes, “How to live a wonderful life: Choose joy. Practice love. Accept others. Be kind. Show respect. Love yourself. Repeat.”

Buy it on Amazon

 

Included: A Book for all Children about Inclusion, Diversity, Disability, Equality and Empathy by Jayneen Sanders

“People’s bodies look and work differently. And people’s brains work differently too. Everyone is different. And that’s ok. What’s important is that everyone feels included. Being included makes us feel loved and makes us feel safe.”- Jayneen Sanders 

Included: A Book for All Children about Inclusion, Diversity, Disability, Equality, and Empathy by Jayneen Sanders takes you through the stories of six children with different disabilities. In a simple and engaging way, readers learn about the specific disabilities and how it impacts their daily life in ways that are easy for children to understand. In addition to your child(ren), this would make a great gift for family, friends, and teachers, as well!

Buy it on Amazon

 

Normal Broken by Kelly Cervantes

“Whether you are showing up today having lost a parent, spouse, friend, or child; whether you are grieving your previous life, a career, a version of yourself, or a future life you had envisioned; whether you are grieving someone who is deeply alive but so very far away — your grief is valid.”- Kelly Cervantes 

Regardless of who or what you may be grieving or where you are on your grief journey, author Kelly Cervantes’ “grief companion” book is a genuinely relatable read. Offering reassurance and validation of the wide range of emotions that accompany grief, Kelly’s writing is honest and candid. The book is written to encourage readers to process their grief through writing, something that Kelly found to be positive and powerful for herself. Normal Broken serves as a guide that helps readers ease into their own writing practice by offering helpful prompts. 

Kelly is also an advocate for medically complex children and their families. As a mother of 3 children, including Adelaide who had a complex neurological condition and passed away at the age of 3, Kelly’s personal experience is especially meaningful for our courageous community of families.

Buy it on Amazon

 

Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services and Supports by Kelley Coleman

“I wish I had known what I know now. I wish I hadn’t been taught the false narrative that disability is tragic. I wish I had known disabled kids and adults in real life. I wish I had the conversations that you’ll find in this book. It turns out when you’re learning from people with lived experience, disability isn’t so scary after all.”- Kelley Coleman 

Whether you are brand new to the world of disability parenting, or are a seasoned veteran, the author of our April Book of the Month is sure to have some helpful nuggets of wisdom for you. As a parent caregiver herself Kelley Coleman uses her book, Everything No One Tells You About Parenting A Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports, to draw a roadmap for others caring for those with disabilities. With her relatable writing style, Coleman shares what she has learned from her own experiences and provides tangible resources that you can start implementing immediately. Some topics include: Insurance and Government Benefits, School/IEPs, Disability Rights and Advocacy, Future Care and Financial Planning and many more.

Buy it on Amazon

 

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Wanting to dive into something different? Kristin Hannah’s latest work of historical fiction, The Women, honors the brave and heroic nurses who served in the Vietnam War. But it is so much more than that. It covers it all: 

• Strong female characters and friendship 
• PTSD, Addiction, Trauma 
• Grief and Mental Health 
• Familial complexities and gender stereotypes 
• Love 

Hannah transports you to a different time and place – I learned so much about the Vietnam era from this book, which I loved! Yet, on an emotional level, I felt so invested in Frankie McGrath and her journey through tragedy and triumph and all of the harrowing steps between. Hannah’s words evoked a mixture of joy, sadness, tears, anger, hope, and frustration in me–indicating just how powerful and well written the story is. I couldn’t put it down, but also didn’t want it to end. 

As I turned the last page, I couldn’t help but draw some parallels to our JJMF community. Camaraderie, friendship, and love grows from shared experiences–in this book’s case: military service and reentry, and in the JJMF space–caring for a child with a medically complex neurologic condition. Whether or not you’re a fan of historical fiction, I cannot recommend this book enough.

-Kelsie Guerriero, JJMF Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships

Buy it on Amazon

 

Real Happiness: A 28 Day Program to Realize the Power of Meditation by Sharon Salzberg

Authored by world-renowned meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg, Real Happiness is a longtime favorite of Genny’s for the positive influence it has made in her own life. In fact, we included it in our 250 Month of June care packages this year to share it with our courageous community of parents and caregivers! 

Written as a meditation guide, Salzberg focuses on three key skills – concentration, mindfulness, and lovingkindness (Genny’s favorite!) – and discusses the benefits of integrating meditation practice into your own life. As a bonus, the book comes with audio downloads of guided meditations, making it simple to begin exploring the practice and find out what benefits it may offer you.

Buy it on Amazon

 

The Other Side of Special: Navigating the Messy, Emotional, Joy-Filled Life of a Special Needs Mom by Amy J. Brown, Sara Clime and Carrie M. Holt

“An unrelenting, never-ending to-do list often surrounds us as special needs moms. Some of us are literally never physically alone because we are our child’s hands, feet, and even voice…When we do, we have those moments when it hits us that we don’t have the same concerns as those around us whether they are friends, family or strangers. We feel out of place. We feel alone. We feel isolated”. -The Other Side of Special

As the mom to a child with complex needs, I feel this almost daily! Combining the unique experiences of three different authors (Brown, Clime & Holt), The Other Side of Special does a wonderful job of validating the common emotions that disability parents experience, along with sharing ways to navigate those feelings in a productive and positive way. I identified with seeking the balance of finding both joy and sorrow in the journey and have already recommended the book to family and friends.

– Karlita Blackwell, JJMF Community Engagement Manager

Buy it on Amazon

 

Halloween is Coming! by Cal Everett

“Feel the chill, it’s in the air

Hayrides at the autumn fair

Look around, the signs are clear

Halloween is getting near!”

For our October book, we shared a festive and inclusive book to help get your family ready for the Halloween season! Author Cal Everett takes his readers through several autumn and holiday themed activities as the characters prepare for Halloween. 

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Lane’s Christmas Lesson by Karley Henderson

“She saw elves with no hair. 

She saw elves with wheelchairs.

She saw elves who couldn’t hear.

She saw elves who had no fear. 

She saw elves who used a device. 

She saw elves who did not think twice.”

Looking for a festive and inclusive book for little ones to get into the holiday spirit? Lane’s Christmas Lesson by Karley Henderson guides its young listeners through Lane’s interactions with Santa as he teaches her the important lesson of inclusivity and diversity. My son greatly enjoyed the illustrations and smooth rhyming throughout the story and I enjoyed being able to find a book with a variety of representations of differences. 

-Karlita Blackwell, JJMF Community Engagement Manager

Buy it on Amazon