You’re Just Angie! by Pierre Lawrence

A short story about a young teenager befriending a girl with Down syndrome, Pierre Lawrence’s You’re Just Angie! captures the honest self-discovery and learning curves of childhood.

Alyssa has just moved to a different New Jersey neighborhood when she meets Angie and decides to learn more about genetic disorders. While researching at the library, Alyssa uncovers important information about the history of Down syndrome, and concludes that Angie shouldn’t be defined by her condition alone. During the course of the story, Alyssa also explores her new surroundings, meeting an older woman who feeds pigeons, and other people in the local area.

While some of the more educational passages can feel separate and sectioned off from the rest of the story, Lawrence’s straightforward, yet descriptive prose encapsulates the wonder of youthful questioning and soul searching. Instead of dismissing Angie, Alyssa decides to dig deeper, eventually making Angie comfortable enough to disclose harsh truths about her past, including violent encounters from her personal life. These passages can be tough to read, but they’re important revelations about the difficulty of Angie’s experiences and the discrimination that people with Down syndrome often face.

As a reader, it’s a cathartic relief to know that Angie will have a friend like Alyssa to watch her back, resulting in a story that’s at once truthful and heartwarming.

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