Her Own Two Feet: A Rwandan Girl's Brave Fight to Walk

Born in the Rwandan countryside with arthrogryposis, a disease resulting in curled hands and twisted feet, Rebeka Uwitonze taught herself to walk on the tops of her feet at age seven. Following multiple unsuccessful attempts to straighten her feet, an American sponsoring her school education arranges for U.S. doctors to evaluate then-nine-year-old Uwitonze for another possible treatment, this time surgical. If she is found to be a candidate for the surgery, Uwitonze would have to stay in the States with a host family for as long as a year. With her family's blessing ("Chance comes once," her father says, a phrase repeated throughout the book), Uwitonze flies, alongside translator Anna, to Austin, Tex. With the support of her host family--coauthor Davis and her family--Uwitonze undergoes numerous medical procedures (31 casts and 58 hospital visits) and works arduously studying English and learning to walk anew, while missing her family. Mixing Davis's third-person narrative and Uwitonze's first-person introspection (via letters to her sister), interspersed with endearing photographs, the authors sensitively convey Uwitonze's wealth of strength through adversity and the familial love--from both her own family and her American host family--that helped her navigate her experience. A glossary of Kinyarwanda words and notes from the authors conclude. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)

Gr 4-8—Uwitonze, one of seven siblings, was born with clubfeet in a small village in Rwanda. She got around by crawling until she was seven years old. Eventually, she taught herself—with some help from her younger sister—how to walk on the tops of her feet. Walking was painful, slow, and would likely not be sustainable as she grew into adulthood. Through Africa New Life Ministries, an organization that enables donors to sponsor the education of Rwandan children, nine-year-old Uwitonze traveled to Texas to receive treatment for her feet. She lived with a host family, the Davises, for a year, undergoing multiple surgeries, 58 hospital visits, and 31 casts on her legs. Uwitonze, who navigated homesickness and daunting physical challenges, made tough decisions and persevered. Davis, the host mother, captures the child's humor and resilience. A glossary with select words and sentences in Kinyarwanda, a national Bantu language spoken in Rwanda, is included. Readers interested in hearing Kinyarwanda spoken aloud can find a recording of Uwitonze reading the glossary at herowntwofeet.com, a companion website to the book. VERDICT Uwitonze's story of strength and bravery will appeal to most middle grade readers.—Ragan O'Malley, Saint Ann's School, Brooklyn