Reviews (22)

Autism From a Historical Perspective
This story opens in June of 1987 with the then 85-year-old Katy relating her girlhood at the turn of the 20th century.
This book was pretty good
I think that The Silent boy was alright. I liked the story and all of the charcters. I didn't like how it was a slow build up though. I think the beginning was kind of boring and could have been better, the ending was good though. I think this book would be good for older teens maybe around 15 or 16. Overall it was a well written book.
Why did she have to tell the story THAT way?
I have been a fan of Lois Lowry's books for years, and have appreciated some of the other ways she has handled disability before.That is why I had trouble with how she handled it in this book.
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Subjects:  1. Babies    2. Brothers and sisters    3. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. Fiction    7. Historical - United States - 20th Century    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Lowry, Lois    10. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    11. People with mental disabilitie    12. People with mental disabilities    13. Social Issues - Friendship    14. Social Issues - Special Needs    15. Social Situations - Friendship    16. Unmarried mothers    17. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / General   

Reviews (6)

THE BEST BOOK YOU WILL EVER READ!
In this story a girl is penpaling with a lady that is 89 years old. She tells the lady everything that she gets blamed for her brothers pranks, that she has artritus, and all of the things that are changing her life. This is an OUTSTANDING book for anyone. I just started today and I am already finished. THATS HOW GOOD IT WAS! I hope everyone who picks up this book will NOT put it back down

My Brother Didn't Make Me Do It
There is not much stuff related to the title and I actually think Julie's brother is nice. My Brother Made Me Do It
This was a touching, funny book.The story is told through letters.Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Physically handicapped    8. Rheumatoid arthritis    9. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    10. Social Issues - Special Needs    11. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Special Needs   

Reviews (21)

Inside Out
My son thought this book was great.He especially enjoyed all the swearing.

Attempts to have young people understand schizophrenia
It's a quick read, only about a hour. It's fast paced so reluctant teen readers will probably finish it. I think the author did a good job making Zach likable and someone to have sympathy for having this horrible mental illness. I found myself just as interested or more so in Alan, the kindly older thief. I didn't want him tried as an adult since what he really wanted to do is help his mother buy medicine she needed. I wonder if Alan taken away the attention from the main character since Alan in some ways more interesting than Zach.

Sensational, really...
I read the first three pages of "Inside Out" and knew I had to read the whole thing. The characterization is flawless, and the book gives an impeccable depiction of schizophrenia, and what's even more amazing is that the book is written in first person, giving you a more personal feel for what it might be like to not know what's real from what's fake. You finish this book with a new found empathy for people with schizophrenia, and what they have to endure. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Juvenile delinquency    6. Mental illness    7. Schizophrenia    8. Social Issues - Adolescence    9. Social Issues - Special Needs    10. Social Issues - Suicide    11. Suicide    12. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Special Needs   

Reviews (2)

Her Brother's Keeper
Angel is nonplussed when she meets her new classmate, Sam.Sam has autism and Angel is naturally curious about Sam's behavior and responses.
Cute book.Good for inclusion classes.
This is a fictional story about a girl named Angel and her friendship with Sam, a classmate who has Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Angel explains how Sam thinks and behaves in school and at home. She describes characteristics, such as sensory differences, repetition, and communication difficulties. Written in very positive language, this book also includes tips for teachers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Autism    2. Autism in children    3. Children's 4-8    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. General    6. Health & Daily Living - General    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Social Issues - Special Needs   

Reviews (3)

Read to a second grade class
I purchased this book to read to a second grade class.We found out about a month & a half ago that my step-daughter needed hearing aids.This came as a huge surprise to us.Not only did we have to explain all of this to her, but we wanted to teach her classmates what hearing aids are, why she needs them, and how they will help her.This book was perfect!The only issue was that the hearing aid style was outdated (there is no longer a huge box hanging around your neck) but other than that, the book was funny and kept the childrens' attention.It led a discussion and allowed the children to ask my step-daughter sincere questions.No one has made fun of her, and I am told that all of the kids think her hearing aids are 'cool'.

I'm not alone.
As a young woman who grew up with hearing aids, I wish I had a book like this to tell me that I wasn't the only child with hearing aids. I highly recommend educators to have this book in their classroom. I also recommend Living With Deafness by Emma Haughton to support this narrative.

A great way to introduce a child to a hearing aid.
This is a book to help kids understand what a hearing aid is and why some children need one.The parents of Angie, the girl in this book, did not know she needed one until it became obvious that she was misunderstanding everything that was said to her.If a child who wears a hearing aid willbe coming to your child's clasroom, this book gives a humorous introductionto what a hearing aid is and how it works. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Health & Daily Living - Physical Impairments    4. Hearing aids    5. Hearing aids for children    6. Hearing disorders    7. Hearing disorders in children    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Social Issues - Special Needs   

Editorial Review

Jean Ferris gives the tried-and-true coming-of-age story an unusual andrefreshing twist with this young adult novel about a high school senior who isthe only "hearie" in his deaf family. Frustrated daily by his family's demandsand depressed by the silence that dominates his house, Theo seeks solace withthoughtful, purple-haired Ivy. Ivy, also the hearing child of a deaf parent,understands better than anyone what Theo is going through. But after his dadsuffers a stroke, Theo fears that his wants and needs, especially concerning Ivyand college, will be swallowed whole by the responsibility of caring for hisegotistical artist mom and clingy younger brother. Does Theo have the strengthto change his fate? By turns both comical and gut-wrenching, Read more

Reviews (11)

Of Sound Mind Review
Ages 11 and up. "Of Sound Mind" is about high school senior Theo, who is your average, everyday higschooler. He plays basketball with friends, goes through the motions of school everyday and avoids being with his parents -mostly his mother- at all costs. But a catch is that Theo's entire family, consisting of his younger brother Jeremy, who is in the 5th grade, his mother, a prema-donna, and his father, a humble carpenter, are all deaf. Theo is stuck in between a deaf world and a hearing world, where he is his family's only line to the outside world. This book follows him as he goes through high school, meets new friends,and faces the challenges of everyday life -for himself and his family. Full of themes and life lessons about everything from love to self-identity, this book is a feel-good book for readers, showing insight into the lives of those who are deaf and live with deaf people. Also full of emotion, you won't want to read this one without a tissue box beside you.
Verrrry Great Book
This book discusses the chaos of normal teenage life without having normal circumstances. I learned ASL after reading this book.

When Does a Handicap Define Who You Are?
For Theo, dealing with deafness is simply a way of life.Being the only hearing person in a family that includes a deaf father, deaf mother, and deaf younger brother has taken it's toll on Theo--he doesn't have his own life, not really, since he's always dealing with interpreting for his family.His mother, Palma, is a famous sculptor, and she depends on Theo to make her phone calls, deal with galleries, and basically do anything and everything that she asks.His father, Thomas, is a furniture maker who was born being able to hear but lost his hearing later in life.Thomas hates asking Theo for anything, trying his best to communicate with hearing people on his own.His younger brother, Jeremy, needs Theo's help almost daily with his fifth-grade homework.For Theo, life is pretty much divided into two categories--talking with his voice to people who can hear, and talking with his hands to those who can't.
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Subjects:  1. American Sign Language    2. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Deaf    5. Family - General    6. Family - Parents    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. People with disabilities    10. Social Issues - Adolescence    11. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    12. Social Issues - Special Needs   

Reviews (14)

A Tear Jerker
This story has to be on of the best stories in the entire One Last Wish series.It shows the hardships that teens that have Cystic Fibrosis have to endure daily.Kara Fischer, a girl with C.F., shows what she goes through every day with this disease, and how it affects her every day life.She deals with the same things we deal with and more; and it shows how determined she is to have a normal life.When she falls in love with Eric, and he finds out about her C.F., I was surprised to see what he did.This book is a heart-wrenching story that brought a tear to my eye while reading it.It is an amazing book with a great truth behind it.Showing all of the things that happen to the people suffering from the disease, in using a child for the main character, makes you relate to the character even more; whether you have the disease or not.
Catie's Review on A Time to Die
1.A Time to Die/Lurlene McDaniel
a great book
this is a great book about a girl named kara who is dying of cystic fibrosis everyday she must endure therapy to thin the mucus so she can breathe i have cf as well and am so glad someone is trying to make people more aware of cf its such a horrible disease i hope other people read it and become more aware of this disease so a cure can be found ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Health & Daily Living - General    4. Health & Medicine - General    5. Social Issues - Death & Dying    6. Social Issues - Special Needs    7. Social Situations - Death & Dying    8. Social Situations - Special Needs    9. Juvenile Fiction / Health & Medicine   

Reviews (27)

QH
this book is really interesting and gets you hooked as early as the first page and doesnt let you go till the very end. i love baseball and this book has a lot of baseball content and action scenes. i hard about this book from my friend and he told me that it was just ok, but i think that its great, anybook with baseball and gangsters is good for me. i would recomend this book to anyone who likes an action based fast moving book with some baseball scenes.

Crazy Horse Electric Game
Page turning! The Crazy Horse Electric Game, by Chris Crutcher is a great book that teaches the reader a life long lesson: you may only get one chance to do something and if you fail to fulfill that opportunity, it may be gone forever. If you let that chance pass by you may regret it because you could have let something keep you from going through with it.
The Crazy Horse Electric Game
Willie Weaver was an all star athlete before he was in a terrible boating accident.After the accident everything seemed to go bad for Willie, he lost his girlfriend, his parents started fighting, and he cant play sports.Willie tries to get help from counclers and theripests, but he keeps on getting worse.Willie runs away to California, where he is taught many valuable lessons.Willie strugles, but with help Willie tries to get over his accident. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. People with disabilities    7. Physically handicapped    8. Runaways    9. Social Issues - Runaways    10. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    11. Social Issues - Special Needs    12. Sports & Recreation - Baseball    13. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship   

Reviews (3)

A book that belongs in the library of every child.
Oliver is an octopus with beautiful green eyes and a constant smile.Although he doesn't believe himself to be physically challenged, Oliver only has five arms, rather than eight arms like all the other octopuses.Oliver's High Five, a children's picture book,is the story of how heventured out into the world and how he overcame the rejections he initiallyfaced. Beverly Swerdlow Brown has written several children's books andnumerous short stories and articles.Margot J. Ott has two previouspicture books to her credit. Oliver tries to find a job, but no onewants him because he is missing three arms.Then a pet shop has a bigproblem with a leaking fish aquarium.Oliver uses his five arms to plugthe leaks, catch the birds, and pet the dogs--all at one time!He showseveryone that being different isn't a measure of his abilities. RonaldM. Andiman, M.D. the Clinical Chief of Neurology at Cedars-Sinai MedicalCenter wrote the foreword to the book.He says "This is a children'sbook that deals gently with a difficult topic.The simplicity of plot andlanguage belie the complexity of issues relating to the physicallychallenged that are dealt with and hinted at in the small colorful volume. It is a book that will open up discussion, lead to further reflection andbuild greater understanding.It is a book for adults and children toshare.Books like this help to repair the world." A copy ofOliver's High Five belongs in the library of every child, whetherphysically challenged or not.It's a book that teaches them how to"focus on their abilities, not their disabilities." An uplifting story with an important, contemporary message.
The plight of Oliver the Octopus and his struggle to become an accepted member of the workforce in the "world above the sea" is conveyed with warmth in this beautifully written, creatively illustrated book.Oliver's perserverance, despite the rejections he receives based upon his appearance rather than his abilities, is a potent testimony to the strength of his own self-image.The ignorance of discrimination is portrayed with honesty in a contemporary setting, which makes the book mandatory reading for all grade school educators and child therapists.

Great Illustrations, Wonderful Colors, Hopeful Story
This story teaches us all to never give up!Even though we face rejection and disappointments, if we continue towards our goals, we might succeed, like Oliver-the Five Armed Octopus!A wonderfully illustrated and entertaining book for the world and society we live in! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Marine Life    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Disabilities    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Octopuses    8. Physically handicapped    9. Prejudices    10. Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism    11. Social Issues - Special Needs   

Reviews (5)

A Girl Blind and Deaf
Helen Keller Rebellious Spirit is a biographical book by Laurie Lawlor. The book is about a girl that was blind and deaf but still accomplished her goals. Helen Keller was one of few blind and deaf children. The blind or deaf were thought of as an outcast or a burden. They were sent far away to schools where they could be out of the way and not seen. Helen's parents couldn't bring themselves to do so. Helen created her own home signs, which eventually led to the invention of sign language. She did signs for words such as ice cream or mother. Helen Keller was born in a little house that was close to her own. Her house was small and white. Helen's hometown was Tuscumbia, where she had many fun experiences with family members and friends. Her mother's name was Kate Adams Keller and her father's name was Captain H. Keller.
Helen Keller Rebellious Spirit
Laurie Lawlor's book, Helen Keller Rebellious Spirit, is a biography about an really cool woman who did wonderful things. Her name was Helen Keller. Helen Keller was awesome and different because she was deaf and blind and she still had a full education. Helen changed from a really spoiled, bossy, blind and deaf girl to a very accomplished woman who even graduated from college and learned to speak.
Laurie Lawlor's Rebellious Spirit
Lawlor's book Rebellious Spirit was an excellent one. I had a report due and it had all the information I needed and more.I would recommend it to anyone if they wanted to know about or needed information on Helen Keller.This book was extraordinary! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1880-1968    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    4. Blind    5. Blind-deaf women    6. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    7. Children: Grades 2-3    8. Children: Grades 4-6    9. Deafblind women    10. Education    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Keller, Helen,    14. Social Issues - Special Needs    15. United States   

Reviews (6)

Highly recommend
I bought this book to help my 4 yr old son learn about people with a missing limb.My best friend's 9 month old son had to have both hands and feet amputated and I was fearful of how my older son would handle seeing him.We read this quite a few times and really discussed how different people are and about prostethic limbs.When he saw the baby for the 1st time after his illness and surgery, he didn't bat an eye about his disabilities and I feel this book and discussions are the reason why.

Very Good
This was a very nice book. However, I was disappointed when I found that the main character wore a prosthetic arm, only because my daughter does not. My only concern is that she will read the book and want to know where her new arm is...and we really don't feel that she needs one. Other than that, I thought the book was very well done.

Harry and Willy and Carrothead
This book was agod send Harry is born with his left hand and forearm missing this book shows that children with a limb difference can fit in The book is shown from a childs perspective. Judith Caseley has witten and illustrated a great book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Fiction    4. Friendship    5. People with disabilities    6. Physically handicapped childre    7. Physically handicapped children    8. Social Issues - Special Needs    9. Social Situations - Special Needs    10. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Special Needs   

Reviews (2)

Positive and Engaging

Rolling Along
This delightful child's book takes the mystery out of a child with a disability.It explains the need for a wheelchair and how beneficial using a wheelchair can be.Building accessibilty, social interaction and play are also well-represented.This book would be great to share with young elementary children although the illustrations are clear enough for younger children.A much needed text for families facing childhood disablement, classrooms who serve children with special needs,and pediatric therapy waiting rooms! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cerebral palsied children    2. Cerebral palsy    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Children: Grades 3-4    6. Family - Parents    7. Health & Daily Living - Physical Impairments    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Social Issues - Special Needs    11. Wheelchairs   

Reviews (1)

This book really helped our child.
Large color photos, clearly written, appreciated by disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged kids alike. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. School & Education    6. Social Issues - Friendship    7. Social Issues - Special Needs   

Reviews (22)

Great book
Just like all other Dear America books, this was a wonderful view into the life of a young American girl in a situation that is not common in children's literature. many books are written about wartime periods or significant events such as the dust bowl or Oregon trail, but how often do you get to read something about the lives of the Blind in the early 20th century? This is an excellent and educational book for young readers.

facts about mirror,mirror on the wall
I did not get all the way through the book.Its about a girl that
Learning About Being Blind
"Mirror, Mirror on the Wall" is about a girl named Bess that is blind.Her uncle and mother want her to go to a school for the blind called Perkins.She became blind when she was sledding with her friends and a boy named Brian McManus (that she didn't like) was distracting her.When she was about to say you are so annoying, she............well, you can find out what happens next if you read the book.Okay back to the story, she finally decided to go to Perkins School and she surprisingly liked it.She made three very pleasant friends and they spent time together.
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Subjects:  1. 1919-1933    2. Blind    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Fiction    6. Historical - United States - 20th Century    7. Historical - United States - General    8. History    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Juvenile Historical Fiction    11. People with disabilities    12. Social Issues - Special Needs    13. Twins    14. United States    15. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General   

Reviews (5)

Great Book for Teaching!
I am a 3rd grade teacher. I used this book in my class to introduce the topic of deafness and how helpful pets can be.This is a touching story that is both informative and funny.I loved it and so did the kids!

Heartwarming!
Well written and beautifully illustrated children's book. My children andI both enjoy this sweet story!

Great!
My aunt Gloria wrote this book about my cousin Elana.It's a true story, down to the name of the dog, Lacey.It was was very cute and funny.I hope everyone out there can read it and enjoy it, even if it doesn't relate to them personally.:) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Dogs    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Family - New Baby    5. Family - Siblings    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Social Issues - Special Needs    8. Fiction dealing with family issues    9. Parents' new baby    10. Children    11. Deafness    12. Baby   

Reviews (11)

Will Aaron escape or will he be stuck there forever?
The Half-A-Moon Inn book is about a boy named Aaron who's mute.Aaron has just turned 12 and his mother decides he is old enough to stay home alone.One night a blizzard holds her up and she doesn't return.Aaron gets worried and goes looking for her.While out looking, he gets lost and finds refuge in an inn. When he's there the innkeeper turns out to be mean and decides to keep him there for good and makes him stay pick pocketing and peeking into people's dreams will he have to stay there forever or will he escape?
A complete blast
12 year old Aaron Patrick has a disability.His mother decides to go to the market. A blizzard wipes the road clean and Aaron goes looking for her. He finds a strange man, who takes him to the Half-A-Moon-Inn. The evil director, an old lady them keeps him there for a reason unknown to Aaron. Her name is Miss Grackle. Will he escape her and her willow switch? Will he run away from poking around in people's dreams? Buy and find out!

The Half-A-Moon Inn
This book is about a boy who was born mute. He has just turned 12 and his mother decided that she should go to the market without him, and she left him at home overnight. When she doesn't come back, he gets worried. He decides to go out looking for her. He gets into lots of trouble and can't seem to find her anywhere.He finds an Inn, and thinks it might help, but it only leads him into much more trouble. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Fiction    4. Kidnapping    5. Mutism    6. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    7. Physically handicapped    8. Social Issues - Special Needs    9. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Special Needs   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (3)

Great for classroom use
This book makes for good classroom reading and is a great tool for helping students learn how to interact with children that may be different than themselves.While children may be reluctant to play with someone who seemingly is indifferent, rude or just does some strange things, this book shows them how they can reach out and be a friend to them.

Compassionate
A lovely tale of acceptance.This does not appear to be the work of a literary genius, but, still, stories like this need to be available to children.Accepting individual differences is the most important ingredient in improving this world, and the author fully succeeds in promoting such an ideal.

Book on autism
we used this book to read to students in regular education class.it really helped them see through the story character why their classmate with autism was different.used in conjuncion with classroom discussion it was a powerful inclusion tool. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children with Special Needs    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship    7. Social Issues - Special Needs    8. Autistic children    9. Children    10. Children's 4-8    11. Children's Books/Ages 4/8 Fiction    12. Fiction    13. Friendship    14. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Special Needs    15. Social Situations - Friendship    16. Topical/Mentally Challenged   

Reviews (1)

Informative and a great read for kids
This book is terrific.It is great for any child that is in the beginning years of school. It educates the reader about cystic fibrosis and assists children in dealing with classmates or friends who may have cystic fibrosis.My seven year old son thought it was informative and fun to read.There should be more books of this kind. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Cystic fibrosis    5. Cystic fibrosis in children    6. Diseases    7. Health & Daily Living - Diseases    8. Juvenile literature    9. School & Education    10. Social Issues - Special Needs   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (1)

Great for helping children to understand autism!
I just read this book and it is a great way to explain the characteristics of autism to young children.Autism is a very complex subject and it's very hard to bring it down to a child's level.My son has autism and has many of the traits mentioned in this book.The author explains them all very well.The author gives suggestions on how to personalize the story for other families/children.This is great - then you can take your personalized story to your church, school or even young members of your family to help them to understand autism. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Family - General    4. Family - Siblings    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Social Issues - Special Needs    7. Children's Books/Ages 4/8 Nonfiction    8. Juvenile Nonfiction / Family / Siblings   

Subjects:  1. Allied Health Services - General    2. Attention-deficit hyperactivit    3. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder    4. Attention-deficit-disordered y    5. Attention-deficit-disordered youth    6. Education    7. Education / Teaching    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. Learning disabled teenagers    10. Special Education - Communicative Disorders    11. Special Education - Learning Disabled    12. Special needs & learning difficulties