Review Detail

Maysoon Zayid, The Girl Who Can Can focuses on a remarkable American actress and comedian while also shining a light on someone of the Muslim faith who has Cerebral Palsy. The font, language, chapter size, and illustrations throughout make this beginning chapter book biography perfect for newly independent readers.
Maysoon Zayid has been rejected many times in her life, starting in kindergarten when the school didn’t want to admit her without testing due to her cerebral palsy. Many people would have stayed small and chosen a smaller goal than to become an actress and comedian. However, with a supportive father and strong work ethic, she succeeded beyond anyone else’s expectations of her. As an adult reading the book, I found it especially poignant the number of well-meaning adults who said terrible, soul-crushing comments like, “Oh honey, you’re disabled,” or things like people were being nice to “let” her participate. Maysoon showed them, and it serves as a great point not to let your thoughts stop somebody else from reaching their full potential, especially the children in our care.
Overall, this chapter book biography for young readers delivers a success story and positive representation. The book mostly focuses on overcoming people’s diminished expectations due to her physical disability and her big dreams and iron determination to accomplish exactly what she dreamed of doing, making for an inspirational book.