Shane Burcaw uses humor and candid realism to discuss what it is like to live with spinal muscular atrophy. As a 21-year-old who has spent his entire life in a wheelchair, Burcaw tells stories from his childhood, teens, and young adult years that give readers a glimpse of what it would be like to live with a life-threatening, debilitating disease. While it could be a story riddled with self-pity, Burcaw instead discusses topics such as using the bathroom, having a girlfriend, and going to school with such a humorous voice that readers can't help smiling.
Burcaw's voice as he recounts incidents in his life is similar to that of Jon Sciezka in Knucklehead. It is with the same wit that he is able to communicate the ups, downs, and everything in between associated with his disease. Startlingly real and incredibly honest, Laughing at My Nightmare will have readers smiling the whole way through.
While this book is too mature for my sixth graders, I would not hesitate to recommend it to high school readers or more mature readers with a parent's permission. The message in the book is too important for students to miss out on.
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