“‘The Fantastic Freewheeler is going to save the park and defeat your mall of doom!’” ― Molly Felder, The Fantastic Freewheeler vs. the Mall of Doom
ALWAYS on the lookout for books for my nephews―because BOOKS MAKE GREAT GIFTS―I came across author Molly Felder, a whimsical storyteller who infuses a passionate “own-voice” element into her captivating full-colour graphic novel series Drew Daniels, better known as THE FANTASTIC FREEWHEELER!
This remarkable 12-year-old superhero, who lives with cerebral palsy, navigates a world filled with challenges—and adventures! This series may be aimed at kids 8-TWEEN, but it’s accessible and entertaining to kids of all ages!
Armed with his extraordinary “brain boost” superpower, Drew can absorb vast amounts of knowledge through a single touch, which he cleverly employs to tackle both monumental and mundane problems.
Think of it as a power similar to psychometry, which is the ability to discover facts about an event, historical era or person by touching objects associated with them. In some instances, Drew can perform this power even upon touching other people!
Drew acquired his powers from aliens—and they occasionally overwhelm him! Practice makes perfect, Drew!
Joining Drew on his journey are his best friends and sidekicks of The Fantastic Freewheeler: Mickey Lang, an actor and live theatre enthusiast, and Maxima Croft, an artist.
Much like 12-year-old Drew Daniels, the author is also living with cerebral palsy
(CP). This condition varies significantly from person to person, creating unique challenges and experiences for each individual.
For Molly, the impact of CP means she cannot walk, so she relies on her wheelchair for mobility. Similarly, Drew uses a wheelchair, highlighting a shared experience that Felder employs in her fiction to connect with her readers and to show that disabled people, kids, in this case, can have adventures and navigate the world successfully, albeit differently.
Bursting with a playful, not juvenile mix of excitement and humour, these captivating adventures draw readers into a vibrant world full of relatable characters, different experiences and perspectives, and amusing adventures. Felder’s stories will resonate with anyone searching for inclusive, heartwarming narratives that celebrate diversity and the spirit of resilience in a world that is too often resistant to accommodating everyone’s distinctive mobility needs. Each tale is infused with laughter and life lessons, inviting readers to embark on journeys of friendship, courage, and self-discovery.
When I was growing up, there weren’t many youth-oriented stories featuring individuals with disabilities, especially not those with cerebral palsy (CP). There were hardly any narratives where the main protagonist was a child with a disability; most often, characters with disabilities functioned only as side support, if they appeared at all.
Today, the landscape is much different. Books like What Happened to You? by James Catchpole and illustrated by Karen George, I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and illustrated by Sydney Smith, and Baking Up a Storm by Jessica Parham and illustrated by Srimalie Bassani are excellent examples of inclusive stories.
What I appreciate about Felder’s work, and I credit this to an “own voice” writing
perspective, is that Drew never feels othered or a caricature, unintentional or not. His disability is an extension of his whole person, and it allows others, especially children (who, as the saying goes, can be cruel), to see parts of themselves in someone who is, in Drew’s case, outwardly different from them (as not all disabilities are surface seen).
Young readers, in particular, deeply benefit from seeing disability representation in literature. It’s essential for them to encounter characters with differences, whether these experiences resonate with their own lives or offer insights into those of others. This inclusion fosters empathy and understanding and serves as a reminder that disabled individuals are integral to our diverse world with their own stories and experiences.
As a great bonus to her books, Felder adds a glossary of terms that allows her younger readers to learn the meanings of some of the more advanced text or specific subjects they may be unfamilair with. More education is always a plus.
Lastly, I cannot overlook the artwork by Scott Brown, Yuri Guzman, and Rory Walker. Each of the three artists has infused their distinctive flair into the book(s) they’ve illustrated, creating vibrant visuals. They’ve achieved an overall equilibrium between simplicity and expressiveness, a hallmark of contemporary young adult graphic novel illustration.
I love the bold, thick shapes that dominate the composition, perfectly complemented by a kaleidoscope of colourful backgrounds that breathe life into each page of Felder’s Drew Daniels books.
The dynamic interplay of shape and scale elevates both the dramatic and quieter moments, inviting the reader to immerse themselves fully in the narrative. The geometry of the illustrations introduces intriguing perspectives and captivating proportions, adding a profound depth that enriches the visual storytelling. The colouring is radiantly cheerful, not too bold or overly saturated, evoking a sense of adventure and intrigue.
Freewheeler series is available for purchase at
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