Aspire is delighted to have partnered with Penguin Random House UK for the release of Jacqueline Wilson's new book Katy.  A retelling of the nineteenth century classic What Katy Did, Katy tells the story of Katy Carr, a lively, daredevil oldest sister in a big family.  She loves messing around outdoors, climbing on the garage roof, or up a tree, cycling, skateboarding, swinging . . . But her life changes in dramatic and unexpected ways after a serious accident.

 

Jacqueline Wilson says that she wrote Katy because “I still think What Katy Did is a brilliant story, but I don’t think its message is appropriate for the twenty-first century... I try to show what it’s really like to have a serious spinal injury.  It’s a terrific struggle for Katy to come to terms with her new life using a wheelchair.  She doesn’t become good and sweet and patient.  She’s angry and sour and frustrated, but she also has grit and determination and courage.

“She doesn’t learn to walk again – but she gets herself back to school and learns to deal with all kinds of awkward situations.  She finds she can still have fun and play sport and make cool friends like any other young girl.  I feel so proud of my Katy.  In some ways it’s a sad story, but I hope you also find it uplifting. ”

Brian Carlin, Aspire CEO, comments: “We are proud to be partnering with Penguin Random House UK for the release of Jacqueline Wilson’s Katy.  Every eight hours someone is paralysed by a spinal cord injury; it can happen to anyone at any time and no one is prepared for how it will change their life.  Aspire exists because there is currently no cure and provides practical help, supporting people from injury to independence.   We are therefore pleased to be supporting the release of Katy because it realistically portrays what many spinal cord injured people go through after an accident, but it also has a positive message with Katy herself striving for her own independence.”

Click here to read the full version what Jacqueline Wilson has to say about why she wrote Katy.  

Katy is available to buy now.  Read more at www.jacquelinewilson.co.uk.