Linton, Tal, and Capone

I would first like to discuss Al Capone Does My Shirts and how much I enjoyed reading it. When I first started reading the book, I was not sure what was so special about it but as I dove further into this world I felt that it was extremely powerful. I have not read an adolescent book about disabilities...at least not one that I can remember. The moment in this book that came alive for me was towards the end when Natalie has her "breakdown." The language that Gennifer Choldenko uses is fantastic.
Linton's article was an interesting read. Obviously language is extremely powerful and one has to be careful when discussing sensitive topics. How many of us are guilty of saying something to the effect of, "that's so retarded"? Most of us have and although we probably don't mean to be offensive it is more than likely that many people in the "disabled category" would take great offense to this simple statement. Personally, when discussing this issue I prefer the term "disabled" or "physically challenged." I liked that in Linton's article he broke up sections into "nice words" and "nasty words." It was interesting to read all of the different names that people use.
Tal's article was equally as intriguing. I found the statistics on disabled persons in literature fascinating. The fact that only 2 percent (10) included persons with disabilities and furthermore that only 6 were integral to the story is absurd. Also, the way that people with disabilities are described is ridiculous. ("Pale, delicate, puny." ) It is also interesting that a lot of books provide information but no plot/character development and others have characters with disabilities but the story itself is not about the disability.