“The Chance to Fly” introduces readers to thirteen-year-old Nat, a wheelchair-racing enthusiast and Broadway superfan whose life shifts when her family moves from California to New Jersey. Nat stumbles upon auditions for a youth production of Wicked (her favorite musical) and lands a role, despite never having performed before. As she navigates new friendships, a budding crush, and her overprotective parents’ worries, Nat confronts barriers like inaccessible rehearsal spaces and societal assumptions about disability. When a fire threatens to cancel the show, Nat and her theater group, the Broadway Bounders, rally to save their production. Co-authored by Tony Award-winner Ali Stroker (the first wheelchair user to win the honor), this OwnVoices middle-grade novel earned accolades like the Charlotte Huck Award and starred reviews for its authentic portrayal of disability and infectious love of theater.
This novel is a standout choice for exploring SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and the IB learner profile trait of Risk-taker. Nat’s journey highlights systemic inequities like venues without ramps, or adults doubting her capabilities, while modeling how to challenge these barriers with resilience and creativity. Educators can use scenes of the Broadway Bounders adapting spaces for Nat to spark discussions on accessibility audits of their school or community. Nat’s decision to audition despite societal biases pairs well with role-playing activities where students brainstorm Risk-taking solutions to real-world obstacles. Consider tying the book to projects like designing accessible event plans or analyzing how media representation impacts inclusivity. Nat’s story doesn’t just talk about equity, it shows kids how to build it, making it a powerful tool for inspiring action-oriented learners.
