The Girl Who Figured It Out

April 15, 2024
An Indian American polio survivor explains how in 2013 she became the first female wheelchair athlete to complete an Ironman World Championship. Born in a village near Mumbai, Dentler contracted polio before her first birthday; her legs were paralyzed. Unable to afford her care, Dentler's loving single mother put her up for adoption. Adopted by an American couple, Dentler moved to Spokane, Washington. She endured multiple surgeries, and her adoptive parents encouraged her to achieve seemingly impossible goals, such as learning to walk with crutches and leg braces: "You can do it...Just figure it out." But classmates sometimes excluded and taunted her because of her mobility aids and dark skin. Undaunted, Dentler grew up to accomplish much, including backpacking solo through Europe and becoming a White House intern. But ultimately, she wanted to be an athlete. After practicing handcycling, she competed in the New York City Marathon and, feeling "unstoppable," set her sights on triathlons. Dentler tackled difficulties, such as learning to swim and adjusting to a racing wheelchair. She follows disappointments, such as being disqualified at her first Ironman attempt, with refreshingly concrete details of how she trained harder and, above all, believed in herself, punctuated by the refrain: "Just figure it out." Ultimately, she completed an Ironman in Kona, Hawaii, swimming, biking, and running 140.6 miles. Dehennin depicts Dentler's endeavors with bright hues and vivid expressions; fluid curves impart a sense of motion. An uplifting ode to persistence. (author's note, information about polio and wheelchair sports) (Picture-book memoir. 6-8)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from August 16, 2024

Gr 1-5-Dentler pens a breathtakingly inspiring memoir, told in picture book form. Readers follow the story of the author, whose journey was anything but easy. After Dentler is diagnosed with polio, her birth mother is unable to care for her and leaves her in an orphanage in India, where she is later adopted by a supportive New York family. From there, Dentler faces numerous challenges as she navigates a world that overlooks her because of her disability. Yet, with the encouragement of her family, she realizes that she can do difficult-seemingly impossible-things. Dehennin's stunning digital art brings this testament to the human spirit to life. The images vividly depict each stage of emotion that Dentler experiences while she, for example, struggles to do chores, learns how to swim, and runs her first race. As she discovers her passion for athletic competitions, she finds a running team that introduces her to hand cycling. This raw true story shows not only her greatest success, but also her very real failures, allowing readers to see her transformation from vulnerable orphan to confident world champion. Her motto, "I was stronger, I was smarter, I was more confident!" becomes a rallying cry for anyone facing obstacles. VERDICT An unforgettable tale of triumph. The message is perfect for readers of all ages, but the book itself works for first through fifth grades, and deserves to be in all collections.-Jessica Clark

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.