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| image: changeforthechildren.org |
Few kids like to be noticed for their differences, especially physical ones. So how to handle a prominent
facial birthmark? Evan Ducker, 17, drew on firsthand experience to write a
children's book dealing with the issue. The Kingston, N.Y., high schooler helped arrange a May read-along for thousands of students "to increase tolerance" of birthmarks such as his own facial port-wine stain. The book's premise -- a Galapagos Island booby bird has a chance to have his birthmark magically removed; will he take it? -- seems relatable to many types of differences kids experience. For his efforts, the teen author earned a spot on
Parade's
All-America High School Service Team, props from the
Jonas Brothers, and most importantly -- he told
Parade -- "parents' emails saying how much more confident their kids with birthmarks are" after reading the book.
