Review: “B” is for Baylee by Kay M. Bates

Author Kay M. Bates has crafted a hard but hopeful YA novel in “B” is for Baylee, a story that shines a light on life’s unpredictability and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.

After taking a line drive head-on during her softball game, young Baylee Harker’s life is changed forever, as there is no promise that her vision will ever return to normal. Beginning a new year at Stoutland Middle School as a legally blind student means a constant cycle of struggles to adapt and persevere, while also managing the emotional and psychological turmoil of being an “official tween.”

Though the world is mostly composed of large colorful blobs, Baylee has a stubborn amount of faith that her sight will return. However, having to learn Braille, adjust her class schedule, and leave her sports team behind, plants the seed of fear that the injury will be permanent. The handicapped placard on her parents’ car is also a stark reminder that life may not soon go back to normal.

The first half of the novel is difficult to witness – peppered with the casual cruelty of the world for people with disabilities and Baylee’s mounting frustrations, which culminate when she finally returns to school, only to find that her old teammates may not have actually been her real friends. Fortunately, she has a wonderfully supportive family, including Isla and Sam, her younger sister and older brother, who keep her spirits up and represent the empathy, flexibility, and humanity that so many people lack when it comes to those with permanent disabilities. Importantly, the story is one of hope, as Baylee finally does reach a new purpose, and a new form of happiness.

Aside from being an engaging narrative with believable young characters navigating unexpected challenges, this book also illuminates the overlooked battles of differently-abled people to fit into a world not designed for them, as providing access and consideration for people with disabilities remains a critical issue. For young readers, this first-person narrative may help to expand empathy and understanding for their classmates or other people they may encounter who face different challenges. Observing Baylee’s internal monologuing and moments of pain as she moves through the world may make people think twice before teasing someone for being different, or treating them as abnormal.

There is an informality to the prose, but it is also sharp and smart, with unique descriptions and a rapid-fire style of dialogue and narration that keeps up a good pace. Bates captures the energy of middle school dynamics with cringing accuracy, and taps into the emotional maelstrom inside most young teen girls with extreme precision. At times, this linguistic authenticity makes “B” is for Baylee feel almost autobiographical. As Baylee moves through her journey of acceptance and healing, she comes to powerful realizations that will resonate with readers of any age: “I lost more than my eyesight when I got hit with the softball. I feel like I lost parts of my identity.”

Though there are some passages that are rushed, as well as personal scenes of failure and frustration that could be fleshed out a bit further, “B” is for Baylee is a poignant read – educational, thought-provoking, and inspiring all at the same time.