Kindle Edition Amazon Just4kixbooks Category:  Children Publisher: Just4kix Books ISBN-10:  1494989980 Type: Fiction Pages: 26 Copyright: May 29th 2013 ISBN-13: 9781494989989 Price: $2.99 (eBook) Vicky is left-handed and teased for being clumsy, but a visit from her Gran changes everything. The story highlights some of the challenges faced by left-handers. Vicky’s Granddad has died and her Gran is coming for a visit. Vicky wants to cheer her up by embroidering a cushion as a gift, but because Vicky is left-handed she struggles to learn how to sew. She decides that winning a race in the school sports might be a better idea – but can she do it, especially when Graham threatens to spoil all her plans?  The story highlights some of the challenges faced by left-handers.  At the end of the book is advice on how to help left-handers; how to tell if a child is left-handed; the correct way for a left-hander to hold a pencil and to slant the paper; famous left-handers; percentage of the population who are left-handed; career choices for left-handers and cultural issues for left-handers. Excerpt “Stop nudging me!” “I’m not. You’re nudging me,” Vicky said crossly. She hated sitting at the desk next to Graham. Now he’d ruined her drawing. The cat’s whiskers were all bent, as if it had a TV aerial coming out of its head. She angrily rubbed them out. Graham always wanted to sit next to the window, so Vicky had to sit on his right, and because she was left-handed their elbows kept knocking. “Why are you so clumsy?” Graham said. “I’m not clumsy,” snapped Vicky. She’d tried using her right hand, but it felt awkward. “Yes, you are. You can’t do high jump and you can’t hit a ball.” She felt like kicking him. But she knew he was right. She always knocked over the high jump bar. She was small for ten, but she was sure she could do better if she ran at it from the other side, but Miss Watson looked at you fiercely and tutted if you made a fuss. And when she showed the class how to hold the bat for baseball and for cricket everyone was expected to copy the way she did it, and Vicky could never manage to hit the ball properly. She was glad drawing was the last lesson. Soon the bell would sound and they could go home. Asha was coming round and they were going to decide which races they would enter for sports day. She doubted she could win any races, but if she chose carefully she could at least try not to come last. She shuffled her chair, turned her back to Graham and carried on with her drawing.

For left-handers - AND THE REST
A short and charming children's story written first to reassure the 15 percent of children who are left-handed and who are often made to feel awkward about it - and second as a guide to parents of such children. One can only assume Hurst-Nicholson is left-handed herself because her empathy is obvious from page one.

I would recommend this to all who are around children - their ...
"The Race" by Ms.Nicholson if truly an inspiring story for left-handers, and those who live and/or work with them. We should never jump to conclusions when a child (or adult, for that matter) doesn't conform to our expectations. Not wanting to and/or not being able to, both lead to problems. Most people are unable to, or don't know enough to, 'stand up' for themselves and instead begin to think there is something wrong with them. They may also become angry with those around them and/or withdraw to avoid conflict. This story encourages all to look a little -or a lot- deeper when someone doesn't fit the "norm". We should remember that the norm is usually only what the majority does, right or wrong. It also encourages, and gives specific suggestions, for anyone involved with 'different' kids, esp. left-handers, to overcome any obstacles to coping well. I would recommend this to all who are around children - their own, or others' - and for lefties old enuf to read it on their own.

I give it a big right and left thumbs-up!
Let Me First Say that I am not left-handed. I wanted to read this book out of curiosity and because I thought it looked interesting. What I ended up with was a great story and a lot of knowledge.

The story is about a young girl who happens to be left-handed. The problem is those around her just don’t understand that and at her young age, even she doesn’t. This leads to her feeling almost like an outcast.

The story itself is a great lesson for anyone who feels different to help them realize that not everyone has to follow the same mold. Sometimes it’s the differences that lead to greatness. A school event day, a good friend, a new challenge and a proud Gran help out to show this to Vicky and by the end I was even tearing up a bit.

Then the author has to go and throw in a ton of wonderful information, some interesting facts and great ideas for her readers leaving me with no choice but to rate the book at five stars. The book should be read by all kids for the great story and the knowledge they can gain.