Inspiring and wryly humorous . . . Readers will be outraged to read about the treatment disabled individuals have faced and still face and cheer as Heumann persists against incredible odds. Necessary reading. Booklist, Starred Review
Heumann s frank accounts of humiliation and dismissal are infuriating, but her conversational narration and snarky chapter titles ( Sorry, If You Could Just Hide Behind Everyone Else That Would Be Great ) keep the tone encouraging, and her accounts of disabled people s camaraderie are heartening. A reflective epilogue explores global disability rights, representation, and the importance of telling and listening to #ownvoices stories. Insightful and empowering. Kirkus Reviews
"Rolling Warrior is poignant, funny, passionate, angry and hopeful. And it is a page-turner." Rethinking Schools
A powerful yet tender memoir from one of the most important figures in disability rights history. Judy s story made me laugh, cringe, and perhaps most importantly, it lit a fire in me to fight harder for disability rights. Shane Burcaw, author of Laughing at My Nightmare
Many people will say Rolling Warrior is an important read and it is, but it is also fun, exciting, and honest. This isn t just a story that disabled children will love; it s a story about what is possible when we fight for ourselves and each other. It is a story about how tenacity, strength, the power of community, and the willingness to fight for what matters can start a revolution. Keah Brown, author of The Pretty One
Judy Heumann s journey is told with heart, tenacity, and even humor. Any young person will find inspiration in her story to overcome whatever barrier comes their way and to realize their dreams just as she has. I only wished I had the chance to read her story when I was reaching for my dreams! Marlee Matlin, Academy Award winning actress and activist
A marvelous memoir by a disability hero who has paved the way for so many of us. This book will inspire a new generation of disability rights activists and guide future leaders as we work toward a barrier-free world. Haben Girma, author of the bestseller Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law
For the first time, I see myself in someone else. Judy s lifelong fight and fierce advocacy around disability justice have undeniably paved the way for me to achieve what I have today. . . . A must-read for all young people. Ali Stroker, Tony Award winning actress
The book I needed growing up . . . has the possibility to inspire a new generation of activists and if I m any indication, it most certainly will. Anja, age 14, Rolling Warrior Youth Advisory Board member
I couldn t help but feel Judy s frustration, excitement and passion as she fought for justice and equal rights for disabled people. Will, age 17, Rolling Warrior Youth Advisory Board member
Prologue
PART ONE
CHAPTER ONE Yelling at blank walls
CHAPTER TWO Time for rest hour, kids
CHAPTER THREE Sorry, if you could just hide behind everyone else that would be great
CHAPTER FOUR If you re not busy, can you help me into bed?
CHAPTER FIVE You want me to what?
CHAPTER SIX The last drop
CHAPTER SEVEN Are you Judy Heumann?
CHAPTER EIGHT The fight
CHAPTER NINE Am I reading correctly?
PART TWO
CHAPTER TEN Weird sleepover
CHAPTER ELEVEN And suddenly, we re visible
CHAPTER TWELVE Dinner tonight courtesy of the Black Panthers
CHAPTER THIRTEEN The government threatens us with bombs
CHAPTER FOURTEEN We threaten the government with more sleepovers
CHAPTER FIFTEEN House party at Califano s
CHAPTER SIXTEEN There are no accessible bathrooms in the White House
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Please don t ignore us or we will come to your Sunday school
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Power to the people
PART THREE: FOUR YEARS LATER
CHAPTER NINETEEN Thirty-six million of us
EPILOGUE And next
Acknowledgments Credits
Judith Heumann is an internationally recognized leader in the Disability Rights Independent Living Movement. She has served in the Clinton and Obama administrations, and she was the World Bank s first adviser on disability and development. Heumann is the author of a memoir, Being Heumann, and her story was featured in the Netflix documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2020). Connect with her on Twitter (@judithheumann) and Facebook (TheHeumannPerspective).
Kristen Joiner is a writer, activist, and producer. She is the co-author of Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist and the YA version of the book, Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution with Judy Heumann, Former Advisor to Presidents Clinton and Obama, star of the Oscar-nominated Crip Camp, and one of the most influential disability rights activists in US history. Being Heumann has been optioned by Apple TV for a feature film directed by Oscar-winner Sian Heder (C.O.D.A.). Kristen co-founded the youth filmmaking organization, Scenarios USA, and executive produced short films written by young people and directed by award-winning directors. She lives in New Zealand with her family.