Caleb and Kit

From award-winning author Beth Vrabel comes a powerfully moving story about a magical friendship, coping with disability, and the pains of growing up and growing apart.

Twelve-year-old Caleb is shorter, frailer, and more protected than most kids his age. That's because he has cystic fibrosis, a diagnosis meaning lungs that fill with mucus and a shortened lifespan. Caleb tries not to let his disorder define him, but it can be hard with an overprotective mom and a perfect big brother.

Then Caleb meets Kit -- a vibrant, independent, and free girl -- and his world changes instantly. Kit reads Caleb's palm and tells him they are destined to become friends. She calls birds down from the sky and turns every day into an adventure. Her magic is contagious, making Caleb question the rules and order in his life. But being Kit's friend means embracing deception and danger, and soon Caleb will have to decide if his friendship with Kit is really what's best for him -- or her.

Fosters empathy and educates kids about kids with disabilities. In the same vein as Wonder and Out of My Mind, Caleb and Kit provides solid, factual information about cystic fibrosis and helps guide kids toward having empathy for peers who may also be struggling with a disease or disability.------
Readers are seeking diverse and empowering children's books. This need is heard in the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement, and heard from teachers, librarians, and caregivers.------
Features a main character who has cystic fibrosis. Without being a book about cystic fibrosis, this story introduces readers to a disease they might otherwise not know much about and fits in with similar books that have gained wide praise, including Wonder and Out of My Mind.------
This is a strong story of friendship and self discovery. Told with Beth Vrabel's signature heart and complicated character building, this is upper middle grade about growing up, for fans of Rebecca Stead and Gary Schmidt.------
Beth Vrabel is the award-winning author of A Blind Guide to Stinkville (winner of the 2016 ILA Award for Intermediate Fiction), A Blind Guide to Normal, and the Park of Dorks series.