Abuse Books

This is a simple book with the sweetest message. A little boy questions the specifics of his mother's love. Do you love me when I remember to feed my hamster? Do you love me when I don't? Do you love me when I'm in my time-out chair? Oh, the mind of a child - you can practically seen the wheels turning.

The font and illustrations set the tone of this book perfectly. Even on his worst behavior, this little guy looks so lovable. He's disheveled and a bit dirty, he's terrorizing the dog, not following directions and wearing unders over his pants. The illustrations also offer a subtle humor - notably the dog's antics and facial expressions on nearly every page.

The boy's mom may be exasperated, but she loves him with all her heart. What a great book to show your child you love them equally when they are on their best behavior and at their naughtiest. This also serves as a good reminder for adults that kids need to be reassured that mom and dad will love them no matter what.

This is a wonderful, simple, poignant book. As I read it, I thought of the many special needs children with whom I work. It's so appropriate for them and for their families, who love them unconditionally.

I will share this book with parents in my speech pathology practice.

A very special book!!!! It makes you remember why we had our little ones. A great addition for your childs collection! Cant wait for the next.

This book is adorable and is filled with scenes any parent and child can relate to. All children should have this in their collection! Ann Stott should write more books.

I found this book very readable and extremely helpful. I have two middle school children in two different middle schools, and I learned a lot from reading this book. It is based on research, and the authors make excellent recommendations for parents at the end of each chapter. Although I'd heard about bullying and mean comments occassionally, I had no idea how common this is for today's middle and high school kids. After reading this book I spent some time talking to my kids, both about being bullied and why kids act like bullies. Having read this book, I was a lot more comfortable having the conversation, and I think my kids realized that I understood some of their experiences. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who is concerned about their own child, or who wants to help change the environment within a school. (in fact, I wanted to make more specific comments, but I've already loaned this book to a friend whose son is being bullied!)I am also planning to give a copy to the guidance counselor at my daughter's school. After reading this, I realize that just having "BULLY FREE " signs up at school is not enough; and I have some ideas about what we could do to make things better. This book was a real wake-up call for me, and I highly recommend it.

I think that Garbarino's latest book accurately tells what students go through in high school and and its effects on some people. With school-shootings such as Columbine happening, I think that this book is definitely on the must-read list.

Easily understandable and highly informative and not at all lacking in details-- a must for anyone interested in school safety or the timely issues of assuring the emotional and phyisical protection of our children in the school environment.

"Sticks, stones, and bullets may break their bones, and words can break their hearts," write Drs. Garbarino and deLara in their book on bullying among teenagers. "And Words Can Hurt Forever" not only describes the increasing reality of the problem, but it also gives parents concrete ideas on what they can to protect their children.

From their base at Cornell University, the authors interviewed students, teachers, and administrators from around the country. They found that, everyday, millions of teenagers suffer from emotional violence in the form of bullying, stalking, intimidation, and humiliation.

"Over and over again parents are surprised, even stunned, to discover the extent and nature of the emotional and physical violence that their teenagers face at school," they say. The problem persists because students don't tell adults about it, and administrators are indifferent or unable to do anything.

Garbarino and deLara point out that, if the same thing happened to us in our workplace, we would be quick to take legal action. Don't our children deserve the same level of protection? So, what can we do to create a safer environment for our teens? The "What You Can Do" list at the every chapter outlines concrete ideas such as: recognize that most students want adults to intervene; volunteer to supervise trouble areas of the building; exercise your right to contact your school board president; and if nothing improves for your child, consider legal intervention.

Doctors Garbarino and de Lara conclude their book by saying: "When it comes to bullying, sexual harassment, and emotional violence at school, the buck stops with adults."

When your in parts of the world were their are drug lords and Wealthy people Like California it was Like magic before, like I was living in a Drug Lord Movie. No problems worries with people telling because that is no problem unless one gets involved with differnt people who don't share the same chemistry and that does not happen with people of that chemistry because everyone does not always think the same things.

Clawson and Lee managed to compile a vast amount of data from varied sources to produce a balanced on-the-mark analysis of the cocaine industry and its impact on the region. A very impressive book.

As a person who has lived in and conducted business in Colombia, and as someone who is interested in the subjects of Colombian history, economics, and the country's struggle to maintain its own internal sovereignty, I found The Anean Cocaine Industry to be extremely informative. Bravo to Clawson and Lee -- a job well done. If you are interested in cocaine, its production and its socio-political and economic impacts, this book is an educational must read. Bottom line: a wonderfully comprehensive text on this subject.

"The Andean Cocaine Industry" is an expert account of drug trafficking. The authors leave no stone unturned in studying this important subject. They must be commended...this is a remarkable book.

This book is full of information and inspiration.Once you start reading it, you will not be able to put it down. The writing is excellent and the story enlightening.

The author brings you along on her profoundly compelling journey from dis-ease to healing. I could not set this book down; each page seemed to evoke questions and thoughts of my own journey. The reader is brought along as the author transcends through all emotions that must be experienced in order to grow. Being recently diagnosed with scleroderma, I found strength and encouragement, as well as insight into my own journey towards healing. I would highly recommend this to anyone seeking inspiration.

I picked up this book and it was hard to put it down. It was easy to read, inspirational, educational and heartwarming. I felt her pain and was amazed at how much she had endured and overcome. I was impressed with how she openly shared her life with honesty, humor and unrelenting passion. I highly recommend this book for anyone who needs to be healed.

Great book !!!!! The author puts you in the middle of her story. You can fell her pain her joys sorrows victories and defeats. Easy to read and a source of encouragement for those who are going through any type of illness.

I find this story to be deeply moving...true stories are more disturbing than any fiction...

This book was very well written and tells the true, tragic story of Tammy King, a foster child caught up in the system of Child Protection Services. Her story deserved to be told and I thank Tom Moore for making sure it was. I hope everyone in a profession that brings them in contact with children in need read this book. It screams the same question I asked about the adults in my environment during my childhood, "Is anyone watching these people?" Tom Moore's truthful answer to that question is 'probably not.' How sad and shameful.

Upon starting this book i found it hard to place down. A truly moving story of a youth tragedy. I feel that more colleges could make use of this book in there teaching of literature. A really excellent read.

A story so chilling that it left me weeping and angry that a system chose to ignore and/or cover up this child's misery. It has made me open my eyes to my own surroundings. Well written to the point that I felt I was there.

Read anything by Andrew Vachss--novels, short stories, comics--and you get the picture: Vachss is the antithesis of the Sensitive New Age Guy. It's a sure bet the latest book review will contain some variation of 'Vachss makes [fill in favorite 'noir' or 'hardboiled' author here] look like [Emily Post...a sewing circle...the minutes of a Cub Scout meeting...etc. etc. etc.].'

Another Chance to Get it Right--a 'children's book for adults'--is an altogether different literary critter.

In a series of vignettes (with illustrations by noted graphic artists including Paul Chadwick, Geof Darrow, Gary Gianni and others), Vachss presents truths both blunt and bright about the common experiences--and the great diversity--of children and childhood.

If you think Vachss is 'too dark,' this is the perfect starter book to blast your preconceptions. The text is concise and eloquent, and shows a tenderness perhaps unexpected to fans of the Burke novels, while the accompanying art provides an occasionally whimsical, always powerful complement.

If you have the chance to get this book...DO IT.

This is a simple book, with a simple premise and wonderful illustrations. It is written in the clear and honest prose for which Vachss is so well known. It also hits home with every story. If you want to know what honor, courage, and love look like, this is your book. Most books, I lend; this one, I buy multiple copies and give them away, over and over again.

This book is a beautiful set of stories and essays about how to protect children from abuse. Given the subject matter, it would be easy to pass this book by. It's easy to hold the preconception that there is nothing more that can be said about child abuse, or that there is nothing we can do to stand against it.

Nothing can be further from the truth, and Mr. Vachss proves it with prose so clean and direct that it reads like the sparest poetry. I've read this book with my own children, and it has given them an understanding and sympathy that will serve them well all their days. DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS BOOK!

Every person who ever wants to have children of their own by blood, or the more saintly act of adopting those children who need the love of someone who cares... needs to read this book. I have given a copy to everyone I know who has ever had children, including my Mother.

Having met Mr. Vachss and told him my acts of spreading his insights, wisdom, and warnings, he was delightfully pleased at my efforts.

Every word in this book is placed perfectly. Not a phrase can be misconstrued. In its execution of prose, there is none in literature refined more to an essence of purpose than in these 64 pages. Each vignette is more poignant than the last.

The artwork is extremely appropriate and offers enough to attract you, draw you in , and keep you connected to each story or lesson. Each artistic compliment has a specific merit to the story they accompany. Pay special attention to the "artistic focus effects" from Geof Darrow (Pgs 26-43). They are a masterpiece than should be studied.

My personal favorites in thew collection of prose and pencil/pen are pgs 8-10, and 48-51. One speaks on the philospohical scale of children as a future and past; and the other is far more personal to the author and reader. Both will leave the interested reader with a great deal of introspection. But the lessons learned within will affect how the reader thinks and acts around children. Those they know and love, and those they will never know, and never suspect, are hurting.

This book is crammed with powerful excerpts frpom all the great AA Literature throughout the years. I know that it has helped me many of days in my own recovery and Im positive youll want to have this at your side. Highly Recommended.

This was originally titled "The AA Way of Life", but was later changed because the book was the veiwpoint of only one man - Bill Wilson. There is a lot of plain basic common sense and wisdom in these snippets gleaned from years of Wilson's writings. It's not bad for use as a reflective reader for daily meditation/contemplation.

The book, "As Bill Sees It", delivers exactly what the title promises. This is a gleaning of the best thinking of the founder of AA. Whether you are well acquainted with AA literature, or simply a curious first time reader, this book is an excellent resource.

The text is a compilation from a variety of Bill W.'s works, including letters and talks given as well as selections from the "Big Book", AA's Bible. Each selection centers around a particular topic or theme, and is succinct and though-provoking. The exhaustive index is very helpful, and guides the reader to other works in which the subjects are covered in greater detail.

I recommend this book to anyone who has a desire to stop drinking, as well as to the family and friends of alcoholics who seek a greater understanding.

Nice solid companion reader. Its brief readings are good for the newcomer to help take the program's teachings in smaller bites.

Well worth adding to your library.

This title is small but packs alot of support and positive words toward the abuse victim. Chapter topics include HEALING IS POSSIBLE, THE DECISION TO HEAL, UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WASN"T YOUR FAULT, THE CHILD WITHIN and more. All written with an under tone of support. There are also several stories of abuse told from the surviving victims view. The title is filled with insight and support and is best described as an excellent beginning point for those looking to heal. A very sensitive and difficult subject that is well addressed.

i found the book, beginning to heal to be a definite winner....especially when a friend of mine asked for more information about child sexual abuse....and i knew that the larger book...the courage to heal...would be extremely overwhelming.....

it gave my friend enough information to realize that she had been doing all the right things for me....believing...listening....supporting...and the section for friends/family, etc....helped her out too...to know when to take time for herself...and how to do it without jepordizing our friendship.....i recommend this book to anyone who wants to know just a little about child sexual abuse.....but isn't prepared to read a huge book....*though courage to heal is a faboulus book...just can be intimdidating unless you are ready to confront it....*

As a therapist working with a population of young adults, I frequently see young people who are just beginning to deal with the impact of childhood sexual abuse on their lives. I have been looking for something to help introduce and give some preparation to clients who are needing to begin this difficult work. I love the book the Courage to Heal, but have at times felt it's very size was a bit overwhelming for individuals who were asking for just some glimpse of what it might mean to start to confront their history of abuse. This book fits the bill and I am so grateful for having found it. The book is compact and thus, not so intimidating. It distills out some of the most important information found in the original Courage to Heal. Especially valuable are the sections on identifying sexually abusive behaviors, managing feelings of panic and dealing with the process of remembering.

As far as books go I would have to say that this book, ranks up there as one of the best I have read. Extrememly well written. The author does an excellent job of pulling the reader in and making them understand. This book is in the same type of genre as two other books I have read that I find to be equally as good. Nightmares Echo and Courage to Heal. Each is excellent in its own right.

In this book, the root of rejection are properly depicted is a useful manner, to deliver us from the feeling of rejection, which ultimately is only in our mind. There are circumstances, but the ONE who is important to us, have never rejected us. Ant this is thoroughly described in the book.

After attending their "binding the wounds" and "marriage encounter" weekend seminars. I would have to say, the book is only a taste of what opportunities await those who are willing to discover the joy of rocovery.

I read this book after attending a Women's Retreat, in which Kay Kuzma was the lecturer. I was extremely pleased with the "how to methods" and the explanations in the book regarding our personal "bad habits." This is a good book to read if you have children, it will help to minimize the scars you leave on your children's fragile spirits. I am a much more understanding person because I read this book.

My sister gave me this book when I was going through my second divorce. It was not "just another self-help book". I have read hundreds of those. This book made sense out of all the confusion and chaos of my entire life. It combines the Rockey's own experiences with the true science of the mind and the emotions and how & why they work, and with the truth about the love of God. This book changed how I felt about myself and others. It gave me understanding about my own frustrating feelings and behaviors that I had never been able to overcome. The book gives 4 steps for overcoming rejection. The first step is gaining knowledge. The second step is applying it to yourself. You'll have to read the book if you want to know the next two steps! Maybe it will change your life too. I only recommend this book for people that have suffered some kind of rejection in their life. That would include YOU!

Benni and Victoria is a story that pulls you in and makes you want to find out what is going to happen next. The main character, Benni, is a foster child who has gone through many hardships. His thoughts and emotions reflect what many other foster children may feel. The story is imaginative and sends the message that each child has something special to offer. -Cynthia Miller Lovell, author of The Star: A story to help young children understand foster care, and Questions & Activities for The Star: A handbook for foster parents

I read this several times and each time found more facets of little Benni, who endures many hardships but emerges a survivor. I read it to my grandchildren and they both -- girl and boy-- enjoyed the story of little Benni and his ghost friend, Victoria. They were delighted with the end. --- Eileen Hehl

I'm a teacher who read BENNI & VICTORIA to my fifth grade class last spring. Their response was so strong that I intend to read it to this year's class, too. My class loved BENNI & VICTORIA. Every day the book was the highlight of their day, and they begged for me to read more. They liked the illustrations, too. Here are some of their comments: I think Mrs. Aust should write Benny and Victoria II! Jason L. This book was the best book I ever read in my life. My class loved the book. Robert C. BENNI & VICTORIA was a really sad book, but also it made you think life isn't always peaches and cream and doesn't always go your way. Kate A. I liked it when he got in a foster home. Now he has a sister. Danielle P. I loved (BENNI & VICTORIA) so much. I loved the characters. They were cool. Robert K. Benni is a very good boy and he helped Victoria very much. I really like BENNI & VICTORIA. Rodrigo D. I think Benny and Victoria is a great book for all ages. Cai

BENNI & VICTORIA: Friends Through Time tells the story that so many abused and neglected children have lived. I was pleasantly surprised by the charm this book held, by my hesitancy to put it down, and by the sensitivity and accuracy with which Patricia Aust wrote of the children's feelings and experiences. I was reminded that children thrive on mystery, magic and intrigue and are much better able to swallow the truth when surrounded by a well-crafted tale. This book can assist children in exploring their thoughts and feelings and further to affirm that a friendship can help soften difficult times. Reviewed in THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER, Fall 1997, by Molly Faulkner, RN, LISW, Clinical Social Worker, Programs for Children and Adolescents at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.