Use Your Voice

K-Gr 3–Based on the author’s real-life experience, this is a story about young Alice, who wakes up in the middle of the night with a terrible stomach pain. The next morning, her parents take her to the doctor where they ask her to choose a level of pain from a chart of faces. The faces jump off the chart, reassure her that she is not alone, and help her pick number 9. Unfortunately, the doctor misdiagnoses her repeatedly, assuring her that she will feel better soon. Initially she does not speak up, and her pain number 9 tries to convince her to tell the medical professionals they are not taking her pain seriously enough. When she finally does speak up and insists that they do something to figure out what is wrong with her, it is a different doctor who listens when she says she is not feeling better, but worse. Cheerful illustrations, particularly of the colorful pain faces, help to soften the story and keep Alice’s struggle from feeling too overwhelming. The lesson on self-advocacy, whether surrounding medical issues, or any tough situation, is a valuable one for this age group. This title could be helpful for fostering conversations with children about sticking up for themselves; it’s also a reminder to adults to pay attention. Includes a health checklist for appendicitis and sepsis.