Arlene on the Scene
By: Carol Liu
with Marybeth Sidoti Caldarone
Intended Grades: 3rd or 4th grade students
Book Summary:
In the book Arlene on the Scene, Arlene has extremely big plans as she
enters the 4th grade. Her
plans are to become the youngest student government officer in Greenwood
Elementary history. She likes to think of herself as the next big thing since
coffee milk. Arlene is a spunky fourth-grader who, yes has leg braces, but she
works at not letting this stand in her way of what she really wants this school
year, her "big plan."
Arlene must overcome
hurdles and not let the fact that she has purple leg braces with yellow
butterflies stand in her way of what people think of her.
Arlene suffers from a disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth.
(CMT) This
doesn’t mean she is necessary different from everyone else, that is just the way
everyone makes her feel. Arlene will have a completely new outlook on herself
after elections are over but not before
facing
obstacles while in the running for SGA that will test her thoughts on people who
may be thought to be different from others.
This book was inspired by a friend of Carol Liu's, Marybeth Sidoti Caldarone and her 9-year old daughter Grace who both live with CMT. This book was written in hope to spread the awareness about the disease CMT and also help children understand physical disabilities.
About the Authors:
While in college, Carol Liu cared for Marybeth Sidoti
Caldarone while in a work-study job. Through this, they became close friends and
eventually lived together as roommates. Together they came up with the idea for
this book in honor of Grace, Marybeth’s daughter.
Carol Liu grew up in
Rhode Island and is now currently an attorney and clinical social worker working
with children who have special needs in the Washington, DC area. While growing
up Carol met Marybeth who was a student at the University of Rhode Island and
she helped to fix Carols speech. Then they both became best friends. Carol
decided to write the
book Arlene on the Scene to help find a
cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) and all proceeds of this book will be donated
to hopefully help find that cure. Along with
Arlene on the Scene,
Carol has also written one other book as a co-author en-titled
True Friends
which is a children’s picture book.
Marybeth Sidoti Caldarone is a speech/language pathologist
helping children in public schools in southern Rhode Island. She is also very
actively involved in the network of organizations committed to finding a cure
for Charcot-Marie-Tooth. (CMT)
A
4.2.1 Explain the major purposes of Indiana’s Constitution as
stated in the Preamble.
4.2.4 Identify major state offices, the duties and powers
associated with them, and how
they are chosen, such as by election or appointment.
4.2.5 Give examples of how citizens can participate in their
state government and
explain the right and responsibility of voting.