by Joseph J. Ridgway
Ava’s Dream is an uplifting children’s story that blends imaginative storytelling with meaningful lessons about fairness, compassion, and civic responsibility. The story follows Ava Isabella as she looks forward to the opening of her town’s new park, only to discover that her blind friend, Sofia Jo, and Sofia’s guide dog, Sadie, are being unfairly denied access.
Guided by her thoughtful and wise grandfather, Ava begins to understand how laws work, why justice matters, and how one voice can make a difference. As she learns to challenge injustice with courage and perseverance, readers are introduced to the basics of local government, equality, and standing up for what is right. Ava’s Dream encourages young readers to believe in fairness, empathy, and the power of speaking up.
About the Author
Joseph J. Ridgway is a New Jersey-based attorney with more than forty-five years of legal experience. He holds degrees from Seton Hall University, Rutgers School of Law, and Temple University School of Law, and has taught American history, business law, and criminal law as an adjunct instructor at colleges and universities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
In addition to children’s literature and historical fiction, Ridgway is an award-winning poet, frequently nominated for prestigious Pushcart Prizes, and an accomplished essayist whose work has appeared in publications nationwide. He lives in Marlton, New Jersey with his wife Diane and their rescue dog, Sadie.
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