Growing Up with Scoliosis Book Reviews
 
Growing Up with Scoliosis is recommmended by
The National Scoliosis Foundation.
 
Michelle Spray started a diary to record her feelings
when she was diagnosed with scoliosis in the fifth grade.
The diary continued through her brace therapy to a
spinal fusion done in the summer of her junior year of h
igh school. The entries relate not only Michelle's feelings
but also those of her parents and siblings. The last part
tells of her elation at the success of her back surgery. To be diagnosed with scoliosis and watch the progression clearly is horrendous; but this little book will give courage to anyone with scoliosis and should be in every school library.
Barbara Jo McKee, printed in KLIATT Magazine, September 2002
 
Growing Up with Scoliosis is most certainly a wonderful story which takes you through days in the life of a young girl's emotions and physical being while dealing with Scoliosis. As a young girl myself growing up with Scoliosis, I enjoyed reading this story. I could relate to many of the author's trials and tribulations that she details so throughly in this book. Her positive outlook, words of wisdom and motivation are truly inspirational!
Debbie Baierlein, The Scoliosis Association
 
Spray's adolescence was a study in scoliosis. Now a beautiful, young college grad with multiple talents, a straight back, and a normal body shape, she is in a perfect position to have written this upbeat and uplifting memoir. Diagnosed during a fifth-grade screening, Michelle reacted with predictable anger, denial, and resentment. As she grew, the curve-despite increasingly intense forms of bracing-worsened, and she eventually had to undergo a complex spinal fusion. Her emotions and frustrations ran rampant, from rebellion to resolve, from determination to fury. She tells her story eloquently, and readers will feel empathy without ever feeling pity. Since her case encompasses nearly every procedure used in scoliosis treatment, this book is a terrific resource for those who want to understand the condition and an excellent companion to the more academic "coping with-" titles. It also has clear black-and-white drawings, inspiring "after" photos, practical recommendations, and even a "word search" puzzle.
Mary R. Hofmann, Rivera Middle School, Merced, CA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
School Library Journal
 
This young girl's informative narrative reveals her medical and emotional triumph over a potentially crippling condition. Michelle's story is deeply moving and candid. An absolute must for teens and their families.
Thomas and Madeleine Kohl
Secondary and Elementary School Educators
 
Growing Up with Scoliosis is an inspirational, factual account by the author, on how she lived with and overcame her disability, during the most formative years of her life. One can only imagine the courage it took to relive her experiences, by committing them to paper, so that others would benefit. The images she creates makes the reader a silent partner in her initial discovery, extensive treatment and ultimate victory. Anyone who has scoliosis, or knows such a victim, indeed anyone with a long term illness will gain insight and hope from the experiences and emotions gleaned from the author's diary. The resulting book and the outcome are both sheer joy!"
Stan Gorzelany
 
When I was 10 years old I was diagnosed with scoliosis. Like many young girls who have gone through this I thought that I had this horrible disease, that my life would never be the same. Unfortunately, I did not deal with this part of my life as bravely as Michelle Spray did. I experienced the Boston Brace. I was miserable and felt sorry for myself. My parents felt so bad for me that we didn’t follow up with a doctor and I was allowed to throw the brace away after wearing it only for a year. Almost 20 years later I’m fortunate that my curvature did not get too horribly worse. I wish that I had had an account like Michelle’s to help me understand that this was NOT the end of my world.
Michelle’s brave story of dealing with her scoliosis has inspired me. It should be required reading for all kids diagnosed. The story chronicles the 6 years of therapy and brace wearing for Michelle, with her curvature constantly progressing to the point where the risky spinal fusion operation was the best option. Michelle’s positive attitude is incredibly refreshing. I cannot say enough how thrilled I am to have had a chance to read this.
Way to go, Michelle!
Jeni, scoliosis patient and reader
 
This is a very personal, individual, thoroughly comprehensive account of what the author felt and experienced while “Growing Up With Scoliosis”. It begins with the school screening diagnosis and takes the reader through the stages of observation, long-term brace treatment, curve progression after the end of growth, and scoliosis surgery and its outcome.
“Although some of the technical aspects of the author’s brace treatment and surgical care have evolved since she experienced them, the principles have not changed, nor have the scope and depth of feelings encountered by a young person who must with deal scoliosis. The author has had the courage and concern for others to share her deeply personal experience.”
Thomas S. Renshaw, M.D.
 
Growing up with Scoliosis is simply a wonderful book. I was prompted to read this book because I know Michelle personally. Once I started to read this wonderful little 'gem' I became quickly 'caught up' in Michelle's story. The story took on a different meaning for me as I sat spellbound by all I was reading and learning about her strength and strong determination. If felt as if  I was right there with her watching the entire time. I kept thinking 'How did she do it?' 'How did she manage to get through all of this?' I was totally overwhelmed by this book. This book is simply stated and easy to read. I enjoyed it tremendously. I would recommend it to everyone.
Edna Itoka

The author's positive attitude was fantastic. The way she dealt with her situation is the way everyone should approach the "curves" that life throws their way. I think this book will really help people.
John Stoltenhoff
 
Scoliosis refers to the curving of the spine and is a medical condition that affects hundreds of teenage girls each year. Written and illustrated by Michelle Spray, Growing Up With Scoliosis: A Young Girl's Story addresses the emotional and social aspects arising from this condition and answers all the questions commonly raised by girls, friends, and family members affected by Scoliosis. Recommended by the National Scoliosis Foundation and a welcome addition to any medical clinic, community school or public library reference collection, Growing Up With Scoliosis is thoroughly "reader friendly" and simply invaluable in helping teens and families to cope with a condition that could otherwise have serious emotional ramifications.
The Midwest Book Review- Small Press Bookwatch, August 2003, Vol. 2, # 8
 
Growing Up With Scoliosis is the personal and heartfelt memoir of Michelle Spray, a young girl, who wrote down her thoughts as she adjusted to living with braces, posture exercises, and surgery to treat her scoliosis in the form of a spine curvature so severe it threatened to mercilessly twist her body. An upbeat and engaging true experience, highly recommended for young people everywhere who have to deal daily with this all-too-common condition, Growing Up With Scoliosis is especially recommended reading for young readers having to deal with scoliosis -- as well as their friends, families, neighbors, teachers, and providers.
The Midwest Book Review- Small Press Bookwatch, September 2003, Vol. 2, # 9
News Channel 12 interview
WEBE 108 KidsFest Appearance
National Scoliosis Foundation Speech
Scoliosis Association Speech