This week, Natalie Scott-Chin is Knowledge Bookstore’s Author of the Week!
Natalie Scott-Chin is a teacher and scoliosis advocate who recently published her first novel, Spinal Curve: Can I Still Dance?.
In Spinal Curve, everything in Jaya’s world changes when she finds out she has scoliosis. As a performing arts school student, dance is an important part of who Jaya is. Her dream of being a competitive dancer starts to feel like a fantasy as she continues to face new physical challenges. But through courage, determination, and heart, Jaya learns that there’s great strength in embracing change.
Spinal Curve’s main character, Jaya, shares a name with Scott-Chin’s real-life daughter. “Her name is Jaya, and that means victory,” Scott-Chin said in an interview with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. “She’s like me. We’re both victorious.”
Scott-Chin survived a stroke in July 2019 with the help of her daughter, who called 911 in an instant. Spinal Curve is inspired by her daughter’s experience as a dancer with scoliosis. “Challenges are not roadblocks — they’re chances to prove how strong you really are,” said Scott-Chin.
Written by Lea Lagredelle
Spinal Curve: Can I Still Dance? is available at Knowledge Bookstore.