David's Story: A Book about Surgery

Explains what happens to a boy who has an operation to correct the problems with his face caused by birth defects.

David is seven years old. He lives in California with his parents and his little brother, Jonathan. When David was born, there was a hole in the right side of his face. His eyes didn't line up above his nose. It was hard for David to see and breathe. He had to have an operation. Doctors rebuilt his face. David and his best friend, Casey, were friends before the operation, and they are friends after the operation. The only difference since the operation is that David looks more like the other children he knows.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5When David was born, his eyes were too far apart and his nose was misaligned, making it difficult for him to breathe. Now seven years old, he is examined by a team of specialists and later admitted to the hospital. The description of the surgery is detailed and fascinating, and the full-color photos are excellent in conveying the care and skill involved in such delicate surgery. While this is a well-organized and well-written look at a child's hospital experience, it won't be useful as an addition to going-to-the-hospital collections, as very few children will ever go through such a radical procedure (having an eye bolted into place and a new nostril made). It's a fine book and will not frighten young readers, but be advised that it's not a let's-have-ice-cream-after-our-tonsillectomy story.Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, NY