Dancing Daisies

Just Be, Book 1

By: Sara Pyszka

Narrated by: Corrie Legge

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

That was really why I wanted to go to camp this year instead of sitting at home all summer with my parents. I desperately needed some new friends....

Brynn Evason is, in many ways, just like an ordinary 17-year-old girl - she cares too much about what other people think of her, she's embroiled in major friendship drama, and she can't wait to head off to summer camp.

But in Sara Pyszka's heartwarming coming-of-age drama, Dancing Daisies, listeners learn that Brynn is different in one very important way. Brynn has cerebral palsy, which means she must use a power wheelchair and computer to communicate.

After her relationship with her two best friends is shattered, Brynn is looking forward more than ever to her summer at Camp Lakewood. She soon learns, however, that getting away from home doesn't spare her from all of life's dramas.

While some campers meet her with dismay, Brynn eventually meets friends who can see past her disabilities. One of those friends is Tommy, a boy for whom Brynn immediately falls head over heels.

But as Tommy and Brynn's friendship deepens, a misunderstanding puts the new couple in jeopardy. Can Brynn find a way to clear Tommy's name?

©2013, 2016 Sara Pyszka (P)2017 Sara Pyszka

Great listen!

I loved this story! Brynn was easily one of my favorite characters I've listened to. While this is a story of her triumph, I really wanted those who wronged her to get theirs. There was the best friend who stole her wanna-be boyfriend. There was the boyfriend who let it happen. There was the mean girls at camp. Then there was Jonah and JT. Ugh!

I liked the narration very much although I think the computer speak could have been a lot faster. (That's just personal.)

I see there is a book two so that's a win!

Great young adult novel and a good read for anyone

This is a lovely story about being 17 & disabled and being a normal teenager. There are many ways in which this is quite typical and also ways in which it challenges stereotypes. Well written with a good plot and story arc, characters are well developed and believable. Narrator voice is a little irritating, but I got used to it. Voice definitely has a bit of teenager sound to it. All in all, recommended highly.

I stepped out of my comfort zone. Not disappointed

First let me say I never write reviews good or bad so bare with me on this. When I read or listen to books I usually stick with the same genre, science fiction. Dancing Daisies opened my eyes to a new world of literature. If I was awake I was listening to it. From beginning to end this book demanded my attention. It is full of powerful messages, serious moments that will have you yelling at whatever you're listening on, and some great comedic moments. if you are reading this review you are probably debating on whether or not to give it a shot. Let me say it will not disappoint. Sara Pyszka is a very talented author and she is definitely on my radar now. I will continue to read any book she writes.

Exceptional!

I'm in school for Occupational Therapy and my class was told to read this book. I wasn't looking forward to it since I never read, or listen to books, but having this on Audible and it being read so well was absolutely amazing! I finished the book in less then a week! I highly recommend it! : )

great read

a great book and i highly recommend. took a minute to get use to the reader, but for my first audible book, this was wonderful.

I LOVED IT!

I absolutely loved it! This book caught my attention from the very beginning and held it throughout the entire book. The narration was superb and gave the story that extra flair! It will keep you entertained! The author did an amazing job with the character builds and plot! I look forward to reading more books from this author! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Absolutely love! Must read!

We read this as a class for my OTA program at Sinclair College in Dayton, later finding out that the author graduated from Wright State University! My classmates and I loved this book. We were so sad when it ended but are looking forward to reading her second book. She puts in perspective how important it is to educate yourself on different disabilities and to treat others the way you would want to be treated. Those with CP are no different from anyone else. They get embarrassed too, they want to date too, they want to make friends too! There are way more similarities we share with others than differences between us, even those who have CP. One of my good friends in the program has a sister with CP and she said so many times that her sister felt so similar to the way Brynn felt. We loved the attitude and hilarious sarcastic comments Brynn made in the book. Thank you for educating our class and all other readers about CP and sharing your story through your talent of writing!

Disability has nothing to do with stupidity.

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.*

4.5 rounded down.

Brynn has a type of cerebral palsy that doesn't affect her cognitive funcioning. However, she must be attached to a wheel chair given her strong physical disability, which also causes others to treat her as if she was also cognitively impaired. Thankfully, there are many who simply ask about what they do not know.

The main and side characters were well rounded and this contemporary story felt quite easy to follow. Told in first person from Brynn's mind, it gives us such an insight into her world that it is impossible not to feel with her as the story develops.

I think the events that take place are a little bit cliché and utopic; ideal although not that likely to take place in that way most of the times even if they should.

The narrator, Corrie Legge, did quite a decent job with the voices; all of them were clearly distinguishable and each had a distinct personality given by the tone of voice, the speed of its speech, the intonation and intentions. I would definitely choose another audiobook narrated by her. Moreover, she never sounded robotic when narrating.

Reading this also made me want to investigate further about the different types of cerebral palsy and their symptoms.

I highly recommend this book if you're looking for some educational reading that will teach you disability just means there are some things the person cannot do as easily as you do them, but it is far from meaning they cannot achieve goals or that they are, as many still believe, stupid.