Elizabeth Ann "Lizzie" Velásquez, author and motivational speaker, was born with a rare congenital syndrome, which affects her heart, eyes and bones, as well as her ability to accumulate body fat. Despite physical imitations and ridicule she's received, including being called the "The World's Ugliest Woman," she's learned to rise.
"Made by Raffi" and "Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass" are distinctly different. Yes, the two superb works tackle issues of identity, bullying, diversity and acceptance. But one tackles ethnic/racial identity in the midst of experiencing peer intimidation during the years of adolescence, while the other tackles gender norms and walking to the beat of one's own drum during childhood.
