• Age: 8 to 11
• Grade: 2 to 5
• Reading age: 8 to 11

Zoe mostly has it good. Her parents are nice, her brother isn—t half bad, and her dog Ella is amazing. But Zoe thinks her life is boring — nothing ever changes. She's stuck in her wheelchair and her parents never let her do anything fun. And it really bugs her that some of the kids think she's not smart just because her body doesn—t always do what she wants.

Then in the midst of the holiday season, Zoe learns about the diverse cultures of her friends at school, and realizes she's not the only different one in class. While celebrating the traditions of Christmas, Hanukkanh, Kwanzaa, Divali and Eid, she realizes that excitement can arrive in weird and challenging ways. Will Zoe succeed when she needs to take charge for the first time” Or, is having adventures really not as great as she thought”

Christina Minaki is a librarian in Toronto who writes and reviews books. She is a strong advocate for the rights of women, children, and people with disabilities. She enjoys horseback riding, reading, traveling, and spending time with her nephew. Recently Christina rescued two miniature poodles, Sammy and Barney, who have great fun jumping on and off her wheelchair.

Christina Minaki's profile page

Zoe's Extraordinary Holiday Adventures