I Am Abel: And the Public Speaking Contest

By Sharon Balardo and Lori-Alyce Martin

When the reader first met Abel, all he wanted to do was make a friend at school. Not being able to walk and having to use a wheelchair got in the way of that for a while. The children at school used to think of Abel as being different and not able to do the things that they could do. As we read the adventures of Abel, the reader discovers that Abel has many talents. He is a true friend to many as we witness when Abel supports his newest friend, Shyla, as she prepares for the school-wide public speaking contest. There is just one issue. Shyla has social anxiety. As she approaches the stage to speak and sees all the students watching, Shyla can feel herself getting warm, and her heart is pounding in her chest. She attempts to speak, but no words will come out. Abel can see from a distance that Shyla is starting to panic. He lowers his head, wiggles in his seat, and fidgets with his pocket. He feels so sorry for his friend. Will Shyla remember the advice that Abel has given her to prevent her from panicking? Can Shyla continue with her speech?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781665511223

Sharon Balardo

Author Sharon Balardo writes the children's book, I Am Abel, with the intention of shifting the focus to children's "abilities". As Sharon completed her teacher certification at D'Youville College in 2007/2008, she was required to write two children's books as course assignments. Writing from the heart, Sharon mentally wrote the bulk of I Am Abel one evening as she was driving home from D'Youville College, Buffalo, New York to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Sharon Balardo regards herself as parent first, teacher/author second. She leaves her reader with the idea to never judge a book by its cover and never underestimate the abilities of a child as witnessed in her children's book, I Am Abel.

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