The First Thing About You by Chaz Hayden
Published by Candlewick Press on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 1536223115
Pages: 384
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

“The First Thing About You” is a debut YA novel by Chaz Hayden. The main character, Harris Jacobus, is fifteen and has spinal muscular atrophy. His family is moving from California to New Jersey, which Harris hopes will give him a chance to reboot his life and get a more typical high school experience. There are a lot of incidents featuring ableism. Author Chaz also has SMA, and has created a deeply enganging and well-developed character in Harris. Readers will enjoy the funnier moments (and this book has a lot of very funny moments) and will empathize and root for Harris during the more difficult times in the book.

The only flaws I had with the book were that occasionally the relationship between Harris and his nurse seemed a bit inappropriate, though this definitely isn’t a “patient/nurse romance” novel, and that the book seemed overly slow at times. Written for teens age 14 to 18, this is a recommended purchase for all libraries with a teen/young adult section.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.