The Boy Without a Belly Button

Book excerpt: Jack has a secret. Where other kids have a belly button, he has a scar. The day he was born, Jack needed surgery to save his life, and he had two more operations while he was still a baby. Jack's smart and athletic, and he can do almost everything other kids can do. He's always felt embarrassed about his lack of a belly button though. When he goes swimming, he wears a swim-shirt, and he never, ever, lets other kids see his scar. When his teacher announces the class will make special "me boxes" containing important personal things, Jack decides to share the surgical staples that kept his stomach closed after his operations. Once he does, everyone will know he doesn't have a belly button. Will they think he's weird? Will they laugh? And will Jack be brave enough to finally tell everyone his secret? A true story, The Boy Without a Belly Button encourages acceptance of children with physical differences or medical conditions.