Summary

Award-winning author, Sharon G. Flake, presents a powerful novel about a teen boy and girl, each tackling disabilities. Autumn and Adonis have nothing in common and everything in common. Autumn is outgoing and has lots of friends. Adonis is shy and not so eager to connect with people. But even with their differences, the two have one thing in common ? they're each dealing with a handicap. For Autumn, who has a learning disability, reading is a painful struggle that makes it hard to focus in class. But as her school's most aggressive team wrestler, Autumn can take down any problem. Adonis is confined to a wheelchair. He has no legs. He can't walk or dance. But he's a strong reader who loves books. Even so, Adonis has a secret he knows someone like Autumn can heal. In time, Autumn and Adonis are forced to see that our greatest weaknesses can turn into the assets that forever change us and those we love. Told in alternating voices, Takedown explores issues of self-discovery, friendship, and what it means to be different.

Author Biography

Sharon G. Flake exploded onto the literary scene with her novel THE SKIN I'M IN, in 1998, and was named a Publishers Weekly Flying Start. Since then she has become a multiple Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award winner and has been hailed as the voice of middle-grade youth and a Rising Star by The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books. Many of Sharon’s novels have received ALA Notable and Best Books for Young Adults citations from the American Library Association. Her writing has been applauded for its on-point narrative that explores issues affecting teens from all walks of life. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Please visit Sharon’s website: www.sharongflake.com.

Supplemental Materials

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Excerpts

From Pinned

Autumn

When Miss Baker walk in class smiling—like reading is fun—I pick up my pencil and draw two hearts.

We gonna read a play today, she saying. "Open your books." She walk over to me, squeezing my shoulder. "Autumn. Read the part of Kayla."

I tap my pencil on my book.

She winks. "I know you can do it."

I don't like to read. It's boring. I tell Miss Baker this all the time. She say not to give up. She gonna help me read better. That ain't gonna happen. Teachers tried before. I'm still reading three grades behind....

My goal is to be the best wrestler ever. Not the best reader.

Adonis

I try to keep Autumn out, but she chases me. I have to run fast to get away.

Autumn is wearing track shoes. She says they are magic, superfast. Now she is ahead of me, staring back at my legs.

"Where your wheels at?" she wants to know.

"I have legs. See." I stop to give her a better look.

"Those are just pretend. I got real ones. Wanna wrestle?"

Poof! My legs disappear.