A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome
There was danger in the kind of beauty I was desperate to achieve.

At only eight months old, identical twin sisters Ariel and Zan Henley were diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome-a rare condition where the bones in the head fuse prematurely. They were the first twins known to survive it.

Growing up, Ariel and her sister endured numerous medical procedures to keep them alive. Doctors expanded the twins' skulls and broke bones to make room for their growing organs. After each surgery, the sisters felt like strangers to each
other, unable to recognize themselves in the mirror. Their case attracted international attention. A French fashion magazine said Ariel and Zan “resembled the works of Picasso,” as if they were abstract paintings, not girls just trying to survive.

Later, plastic surgeons cut and trimmed and tugged their faces toward a tenuous aesthetic ideal. The girls dreamed of appearing “beautiful” but would settle for “normal.”

Fighting for acceptance was a daily chore. Between besting middle school bullies, becoming a cheerleader in high school, and finding her literary voice in college, Ariel learned to navigate a beauty-obsessed world with a facial disfigurement to
become the woman she is today.

From a resonant new voice, here is an unforgettable young adult memoir about beauty, sisterhood, and the strength it takes to put your life-and yourself-back together, time and time again.
1136619245
A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome
There was danger in the kind of beauty I was desperate to achieve.

At only eight months old, identical twin sisters Ariel and Zan Henley were diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome-a rare condition where the bones in the head fuse prematurely. They were the first twins known to survive it.

Growing up, Ariel and her sister endured numerous medical procedures to keep them alive. Doctors expanded the twins' skulls and broke bones to make room for their growing organs. After each surgery, the sisters felt like strangers to each
other, unable to recognize themselves in the mirror. Their case attracted international attention. A French fashion magazine said Ariel and Zan “resembled the works of Picasso,” as if they were abstract paintings, not girls just trying to survive.

Later, plastic surgeons cut and trimmed and tugged their faces toward a tenuous aesthetic ideal. The girls dreamed of appearing “beautiful” but would settle for “normal.”

Fighting for acceptance was a daily chore. Between besting middle school bullies, becoming a cheerleader in high school, and finding her literary voice in college, Ariel learned to navigate a beauty-obsessed world with a facial disfigurement to
become the woman she is today.

From a resonant new voice, here is an unforgettable young adult memoir about beauty, sisterhood, and the strength it takes to put your life-and yourself-back together, time and time again.
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A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome

A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome

by Ariel Henley

Narrated by Ariel Henley

Unabridged — 8 hours, 9 minutes

A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome

A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome

by Ariel Henley

Narrated by Ariel Henley

Unabridged — 8 hours, 9 minutes

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Overview

There was danger in the kind of beauty I was desperate to achieve.

At only eight months old, identical twin sisters Ariel and Zan Henley were diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome-a rare condition where the bones in the head fuse prematurely. They were the first twins known to survive it.

Growing up, Ariel and her sister endured numerous medical procedures to keep them alive. Doctors expanded the twins' skulls and broke bones to make room for their growing organs. After each surgery, the sisters felt like strangers to each
other, unable to recognize themselves in the mirror. Their case attracted international attention. A French fashion magazine said Ariel and Zan “resembled the works of Picasso,” as if they were abstract paintings, not girls just trying to survive.

Later, plastic surgeons cut and trimmed and tugged their faces toward a tenuous aesthetic ideal. The girls dreamed of appearing “beautiful” but would settle for “normal.”

Fighting for acceptance was a daily chore. Between besting middle school bullies, becoming a cheerleader in high school, and finding her literary voice in college, Ariel learned to navigate a beauty-obsessed world with a facial disfigurement to
become the woman she is today.

From a resonant new voice, here is an unforgettable young adult memoir about beauty, sisterhood, and the strength it takes to put your life-and yourself-back together, time and time again.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A YALSA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Finalist
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book for Teens

A NCSS Notable Book
A Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction for Older Readers
A 2021 Booklist Editors' Choice
A New York Public Library Best Books of 2021
The myFace Courage Award

Texas Topaz Reading List Selection

"A gripping autobiography and a provocative interrogation of beauty that will resonate with many young readers, especially as they develop their own identities in a social-media focused culture." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

"Expertly crafted, infused with emotional resonance and populated with flawed characters who grow and change as the story unfolds. Ariel’s richly detailed perspective allows the reader to deeply understand the trauma of experiencing so many difficult medical procedures, as well as the lifelong impact of bullying and discrimination... A must-read on self-love, beauty, disability, visibility, and community." —Booklist, starred review

"Complex and searing... This smart, richly detailed memoir is a compelling meditation on identity as well as a much-needed challenge to an ableist system." —Publishers Weekly

"With a perceptive analysis of the way beauty standards shape the most basic social values and a fascinating coming-of-age story told from a unique perspective, Henley’s memoir is not to be missed. ­Captivating, unflinching, and insightful, this title is ­highly recommend." —School Library Journal

2022 Schneider Family Book Award, Short-listed

Product Details

BN ID: 2940176361926
Publisher: Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date: 11/02/2021
Edition description: Unabridged
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