Special Needs Children Books

At what point do you seek professional help when a child is acting, by his parent's standards, weird? "Understanding Your Child's Puzzling Behavior: A Guide for Parents of Children with Behavioral, Social, and Learning Challenges" is a parent's guide to understanding a child's strange behavior and whether they should intervene or it is simply another kind of normal. Suggesting that parents never go for short term solutions, how to look at why the child acts the way they act, and when is the line to seek psychiatric assistance? "Understanding Your Child's Puzzling Behavior: A Guide for Parents of Child with Behavioral, Social, and Learning Challenges" is essential for any concerned parent who doesn't get their child's behavior and for community library parenting collections.

Trying to find your way through the myriad of advice about how to parent your child can be overwhelming on the best of days. The actual child can get lost in all of the ideas/philosophies/beliefs. That truth is amplified if your child has any sort of behavior that seems to be outside of the "norm". Dr. Curtis guides parents in an honest, nonjudgmental way toward the avenues which can best help them and ultimately, most importantly, help the child get the support he/she needs. His assurance that positive progress can be made is a gift. That these are not "problem" children who have something wrong with them... a message those of us with atypical children are confronted with all too often, but that they are children who merit more support, understanding and sensitivity. Dr. Curtis knows that children with puzzling behavior operate within a family, and that the parents, who love these kids more than anything and are trying to help them to the best of their ability, need guidance and support too. His holistic approach is truly a relief to those of us who deal daily with the beauty, challenge, heartbreak and joy of raising these unique little beings.

There are numerous "how to parent" books available, with each having their unique twist to the age old problem of raising children. None however, have placed the responsibility upon parents who ultimately know their child better than anyone! This book is a practicle guide for the parents to identify the problems and how to address them. Their teacher? The parents of troubled children know their child better than anyone could hope to. This book is their practical guide to putting their knowledge to work.

This book is an amazing resource for any parent who is struggling to make sense of their child's complex and unusual behavior. Dr. Curtis' step-by-step approach is empowering! Understanding Your Child's Puzzling Behavior gives clarity where so often there is vagueness. The information in this book is easily understood. The worksheets and parent resources are invaluable. Everyone should have a copy of this book!

Dr. Curtis' book, "Understanding Your Child's Puzzling Behavior," is an extremely valuable and empowering tool for both parents and professionals. The book is packed with useful information and presented in a clear and succinct format. Many other books are written using jargon that perplexes even professionals in the field. It will eliminate any confusion that one has regarding where to go, what to say, and whom to talk to when concerned about a child's behaviors whether they are social, emotional, behavioral, or academic. The resources provided are EXCELLENT!

We'll Paint the Octopus Red is a book about a little girl named Emma, who is going to become a big sister soon. Through the first half of the book Emma and her dad talk about all of the things, she is going to be able to do with her new little brother. She wants to kick the ball, go on safari in Africa, and paint the octopus. Then when her little brother is born, her dad tells her that he has Down Syndrome. She then thinks of all the things she wanted to do, and tells her dad she guesses he will not be able to do those things after all. Then her dad and her go through each thing and decide that if they are patient and take time with her new brother, he will be able to do all of those things in life. Therefore, Emma decides that Downs will not be that big of a deal, and goes to see her little brother at the hospital, and tells him that she will teach him to paint the octopus red when he is older. The end of the book also has questions and answers for children about Down Syndrome.

Great book. Like an earlier review, it also made me cry the first time I read it. It really captures the feelings associated with having a Down Syndrome child. Definitely a must buy for anyone who has a Down Syndrome child, with or without siblings.

This book is wonderful for siblings and young children that are related to a child with down's sydrome. Very educational. I gave it as a gift to my nephews and neices to help them to understand how their cousin would be a little different than them but can do the same things in time.

Fantastic book for my 3 year old son who has recently had a new sister with DS. Although my first reading made me cry this has been an important book for us as a family to discuss DS in a way that is meaningful to a 3 year old. I purchased 2 copies - one to give to child care as I think this will be great for all of my sons friends and also when my daughter attends!! Thanks

I bought this book while pregnant because I'm sure that someday my daughter will have questions about her big brother who has Down syndrome. I'm hoping that this book will help both of them understand why when the day comes that she is able to do things that he hasn't learned yet. Being only 23 months apart, I felt the need to be prepared as soon as possible.

This is a beautiful book that very sweetly explains that delays don't mean that someone will never be able. I like the fact that this book doesn't dwell on the negatives of a Down syndrome diagnosis, but also includes the idea that Mom & Dad may be sad. I hope that my daughter someday cherishes the book and why I bought it for her.

I am a Catholic priest, and I stumbled across this book on Amazon while searching for bereavement resources for a family that had just lost a child. In it, a devout Catholic father graphically walks you through his family's experience of suddenly losing his seven year old son. It is heart wrenching, deeply moving, and beautifully inspirational. It's a relatively short book, and easy enough to read, but the average reader may be shocked by the extraordinary faith of the author and his family. It is loaded with solid orthodox Catholic teachings, without minimizing or taking away any of the real pain that they suffered. It is definitely one of the greatest pastoral resources I have ever encountered. Highly recommended for clergy, bereaved individuals and families, and support groups.

We just lost our 13 year old daughter suddenly almost eight weeks ago today. Still awaiting to hear from the medical examiner what caused her untimely death. She collapsed after a snow shoe trek at Environmental Camp in the White Mountains of NH.

I have bought a number of books during these painful weeks, and this book was the only book that I felt I could have written - at least the first few chapters. It was like what we experienced was written down and black and white. He describes everything perfectly.

I loved the book because it gave me great comfort that we WILL feel joy one day ... we don't know, nor can we even begin to think we will ever feel joy again.

One of my favorite lines in the book was ...

Our friends brought us God's presence and love. They did not solve our problems, as if grief we a problem to be solved. They did not dispense pious phrases. Our friends allowed us to be in as much pain as we were in and did not trivialize it by trying to move us beyond it ....

Our friends, family, community, were a blessing from God during the darkest days of our lives and they continue to be. This book is such a comfort to anyone who has lost anyone ... or even more importantly for people who want to know how to help people like us who belong to this `club' ... it is a win/win for anyone reading it. I read it in two days!!!

The specific circumstances of our son's death and his age were different than Mr. Floyd's child. The feelings and the pain were not. These events test you and your relationship with God as Mr. Floyd writes and he is on the mark.
I have bought this book for others, who have lost a child or loved one.

This book brought healing to me that I could not imagine would ever come. I pray blessings over Mr. Lloyd and his family for being so honest and open about his son's death. I lost my 11 month old son to a very rare infection in July 1999. This was a very sudden death, as we found him dead in his crib. I highlighted and still read over this book and each time, I am healed even more. THANK YOU, THANK YOU Mr. Lloyd for teaching me that it's o.k. to be brutally honest before God- you showed me that that is when the healing truly comes. Everyone should read this book.

This book is the attempt of one father to come to terms with the anguish, the heart-break, the devastation, and the questions that arise when tragedy strikes. Others books have attempted the same. The great English apologist C.S. Lewis wrote a book entitled The Problem of Pain, exploring these difficult questions. It is interesting to compare it with a book he wrote later, after his wife died of cancer. His A Grief Observed does not so much refute what he wrote earlier, but in many ways goes far beyond it.

A theoretical and theological reflection of suffering is one thing. A first-hand personal account is another. A Grief Unveiled is of the second type. Not that theological and biblical reflection is absent. But this is the very personal and very moving account of how one father copes with the worst pain imaginable, moments after the event, hours after, days after, months after, and years after. What does the journey of grief look like from the inside? This volume is an unforgettable account of one long and painful trip through grief.

For anyone who has experienced any comparable tragedy, the book will echo similar thoughts and emotions, and will bring forth many tears. The book does not over-sentimentalize, but neither does it over-spiritualize. It is brutally honest and totally real.

Anyone who suffers will resonate with these moving chapters. Yet it is not just a book about sorrow, grief and pain. It is also a book about hope, joy and victory. It is the story of a radiant faith; a faith that takes a terrible hammering, but a faith the survives and grows and triumphs. But it is triumphant faith because it has as its object a triumphant God. Indeed, God is the real subject of this book in many ways. It is only because of the great love, grace and mercy of God that the Floyds can make it through the valley of the shadow of death.

The opening chapters are the most painful. Descriptions of the accident. Cradling a dying boy. The nervous wait at the hospital. The bad news from the doctor. Watching a lifeless boy in a casket, bandages over the eyes, because the organs were donated. The burial. The days immediately thereafter.

The grief seems unbearable. But with time comes some relief. The hole in the soul is always there. It will never disappear. But the intense pain and grief slowly, and surely, begin to subside. And through it all, one believer's relationship with his God is sorely tested, but in the end, vindicated. And with it comes the spiritual understanding that comes with the suffering, the realization that the God we serve is a suffering God.

God the Father knows all about suffering. He too lost a son in tragic circumstances. And Mary, the mother of Jesus, also knows the heartbreak of losing a beloved son. But as Floyd makes quite clear, Good Friday is followed by Easter Sunday. John-Paul is not dead, but alive, waiting for the glorious reunion that will one day take place. The promise of the resurrection is the believer's hope. And the resurrection of Jesus is the guarantee that we too will one day be raised.

But it works both ways, There can be no Easter without Calvary. Suffering is the path chosen by Christ, and it is the path his followers must also accept. The hard questions may never fully be answered. But the ultimate answer to the problem of suffering and evil is not a proposition but a person. Jesus, who is acquainted with grief and familiar with sorrow, is the only one who can offer comfort and hope to those who suffer.

If God can take the most horrible and painful event in human history, the cross, and turn it into the most glorious and blessed of events, then there is hope for us as well. Suffering can be redeemed. It can make us more like the one who knows all about suffering.

This book is a testament to the way the death of one man two thousand years ago becomes the basis of hope for everyone today. This powerful story will help those who are suffering to make it through. And it will help all of us to get our priorities a little more straight, and help us refocus our attention on what is truly important and of value in life.

This book is a how-to guide and daily encouragement for the dispaired parents and family members. It shows a path and opens you up for creativity and inventiveness needed to get your AS children through the daily life and lead them to normal life they would never achieve on their own. It is also a very good literature, wize, humorous and inspiring. I wish I knew of it when my son was little. Even now, when he is 18, I find the book very helpful and practical. Lise is one of those heroes who make a difference in other people's lives.

Asperger's Syndrome, which is on the autism spectrum is a sensory and neurobiological condition that affects communication, sensory integration and processing. People on the spectrum are affected in varying degrees.

Despite the few typos and errors in names, this is an excellent book. Lise Pyles takes readers on a Magical Mystery Tour of Asperger's as experienced by her older son, John. Born in 1984 when a dearth of literature on Asperger's existed, John showed signs of it from infancy. He loved visual stimulation and playing with lights; insisted on having his legs covered; insisted on wearing only soft clothing and hated loud noises. One delightful anecdote was when John, then a pre-schooler looked at an iron with fear asking if it would make a noise. It seemed perfectly natural to find loud noises aversive stimuli.

John found school overwhelming due to his sensory sensitivies. He was forced to leave 4 preschools and found kindergarten and the early grades nightmarish. Since he had trouble navigating the social territory with peers, he was an easy mark for bullies. His rich experiences in living in 3 continents (U.S., Europe [England] and Australia) provided him with enrichments that many people have never known.

March 4, 1992 was a banner day for John. That was the day he began his homeschool program which continued until the 1994-95 school year. John was also taken off Ritalin, which he hated. From 1988-1992 John was on the drug which made him easier for his teachers. The downsides to the drug was that it caused sleep wetting and migraines as well as added stigma. Once off and once homeschooled and provided with helpful cues from his younger brother, Jay, John was well on his way.

John had special interests which is part of Asperger's Syndrome. Luckily he was allowed to pursue his special interests which segued into real talents and developed skills. He had a myriad of interests over time and became a good source of interesting information.

I like the way this book includes practical suggestions; each chapter contains a list of approaches to take with a child who is on the spectrum. There is also a list of organizations which is provided at the end of the book which will undoubtedly prove invaluable to many people seeking guidance.

This book makes me think of the 1967 Beatles' classic, "Magical Mystery Tour" because readers take that magical mystery tour through Asperger's with two very proficient guides - John and John's mother, the author of this book. "Roll up for the mystery tour! Step right this way!"

If I could only recommend one book on Asperger Syndrome, this would be it.

This is the most helpful book I have read so far on Asperger's. My son was recently diagnosed and tested and we have so many questions and concerns and this book has helped answer many of them.

She covers about every possible aspect of daily life of a family dealing with this disorder.

I HIGHLY recommend this book. Thank you, Lise Pyles, for writing such a helpful guide for parents.

I'll keep it brief. My husband is 70 and we have only just recently found a name for what has troubled him for 70 years. The "why don't I fit - the anger, frustration and anxiety". I knew something wasn't quite right for some time. We discovered that Food Combining helped. I wrote a small article but never got it published. Like Lisa I believe our family may have had slight Asperegers Syndrome - some symptoms were there and some not. But my husband is a classic and yet none of the doctors or pschologists ever came up with any suggestion that this has been his problem. I wonder how many other adults are battling through their illness and psychological problems today that could be helped if only THEY ( the medical profession)would wake up. It seems that the biggest problem is that even they can't agree. A recent documentary on ABC Television hosted by George Negus pointed this out. OK - it's a problem for kids - does anyone have any idea what it's like being 70 and trying to get some help? (I'm told it's too late). A recent interview with yet another psychiatrist received the comment - "Oh, he couldn't have it now - there would have been signs and he would have come in contact with someone for help. He couldn't have had a life without help". Somewhat stuneed I remined him that when my husband was a child the only help he got was canings especially for bad handwriting and frequent hidings from his parents (probably for not listening). When he tried hypnosis the psychologist said that he couln't get him past a block because he had been traumatised. It wasn't until we watched the movie "Shine" that my husband revealed that his parents had treated him like that.Yeah - some help. Can you imagine his hang-ups? How many more adults are there who received this kind of help? I wish that someone would research what happens to older Asperegers Syndrome sufferes.

As an eighth-grade English teacher, I read young adult novels in hopes of finding a piece of writing that I can offer to my students -- one that they will enjoy, learn from, find easily, and connect to whatever else I am teaching at the time. I will admit that I don't read as many books as I should, but I do a lot of research on the prospective books in advance by reading reviews from others (thanks, Amazon!), so I can use my limited reading time wisely.

HURT GO HAPPY came to me as one of Florida's 2008-2009 Sunshine State recommended texts for students in grades 6 through 8. Researching these fifteen titles to find the couple of diamonds among them requires the use of feedback from Amazon reviewers, and this book came with glowing recommendations.

I was worried by the description that this book would be one of those formulaic, teen adventures, in this case with a deaf girl trying to save a chimpanzee -- NOT what I would call a genre I was giving much hope to. Luckily, these other reviews dispelled that dread, giving me hope that there was something more to this interestingly titled piece.

As an English and Drama teacher, I have to admit that my favorite part of what I teach is the subject of Theme (not as in "essay," or "recurring motif," but "the lessons, morals and wisdom a story has to offer"). I embrace books that come to their themes honestly, creatively and passionately. The greatest works offer themes that sink so deep into our minds, hearts and souls that we cannot remove these lessons from ourselves, no matter how hard we try. You don't have to read TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD more than once to feel that the power of its lessons will NEVER leave you; you only have to think about this type of book years afterward, and you can still feel the impression it has left on you without even trying. These are books we love and consider our favorites.

I didn't think that this book would be anywhere nearly as successful as it turns out to be. Its multiple themes (primary and secondary) are all, oxymoronically, both bold and subtle. However, it is the major theme of HURT GO HAPPY that stays and drives the entire work: We must live up to our responsibilities -- to each other, to our world, to ourselves. This theme shows up in HURT GO HAPPY in each of the key relationships in the story, as well as in some of the minor ones. Some characters have lived up to their responsibilities and others have not. A strong writer will show you both sides of the coin, as it were. Author Ginny Rorby has wisely allowed us to see how our actions (and inactions) affect us and others, sometimes in an intensely painful way (both emotionally and physically). Great authors tend to not shy away from the ugly side of life, and Rorby has written a book that has a tremendous number of layers to it (both beautiful and ugly).

Deeply, deeply felt, HURT GO HAPPY is powerful, and surprised me greatly. The relationship with Joey and her mother seems very one-dimensional at first, but drives the theme in a devastatingly real way as it proves to be very much three-dimensional. Joey's mother Ruth spends her life avoiding her past and, apparently, the future, as well. Her denial for Joey to live in the world in which Joey actually exists (deaf, friendless, and wanting) is painful for us, and when Joey tries to break out of this awful reality, Ruth insists that that cannot be. We begin to see Ruth as selfish, and she is, but as Ginny Rorby develops this magnificent tale of a young girl finding that her responsibilities are to be the driving force of her life, we get to see Ruth as a hurt, wounded creature who has failed in her own life. A small, but beautifully poignant moment in the middle of the book started me on the path to getting excited about HURT GO HAPPY. The rest of the book only heightened that initial excitement.

Joey is a magnificent protagonist, one of my favorites of the past few years, who has to fight to be heard (yeah, I guess that pun is intended). Her observations and reactions to life are pieces of gold for teachers like me. Metaphorically speaking, this is a treasure trove as well -- a trove of metaphors, that is. Rorby has developed wonderfully subtle metaphors as well as bold metaphors that should shake a student's understanding of what finely crafted writing is -- so much so that any student should be able to truly understand and appreciate that the best writing requires great thought, constant planning and driving passion.

Perhaps I fell in love with this book when the meaning of the odd title revealed itself late in the text. It made wonderful, heartfelt sense on a very basic level, but it really sank into that part deep within my heart, soul and mind when I understood that it was the PERFECT title because, metaphorically, it dealt not only with Sukari the chimpanzee, but far more importantly, it spoke of Joey and Ruth and of their failures of the past. At that point, this became the book I was looking for. I can't imagine that any other book I read in the next year will be able to compare.

You MUST read this book.

(And as a side-note, I will be using this book as a companion piece to THE MIRACLE WORKER -- not only because of the subject of deafness, but because I teach THE MIRACLE WORKER to explore metaphor and deeper meanings. I can't wait!)

I am an elementary school librarian and have been reading this exceptional book to two fifth-grade classes over the course of about 6 weeks.

Every week they came into the library, eager to continue the story again. First, we'd review what happened the week before, then I would read for about 30 minutes. When we came upon any new ASL words, we would look them up and learn them together. When I finally had to stop reading after the 30 minutes was up, I'd get "Don't stop" groans and then applause!!!

This is such a great read-aloud book! We had some really insightful discussions and we learned SO much! We laughed and we cried (Oh, boy, it's hard to read when you're crying!). None of us will ever forget Sukari and Joey. There are now 60 young people (and three "old" ones!) that will never look at a chimp or any other primate the same again.

Ms. Rorby, THANK YOU for this book! Can't wait to get "Dolphin Sky!"

Thirteen year old Joanne "Joey" Willis has been deaf since the age of six. Her mother Ruth wants her to function in the hearing world by reading lips and adapting to school life with special sound monitors, but despite Ruth's efforts, Joey struggles to fit in and feels isolated from her classmates as well as her family.

Things change when Joey meets Dr. Charles Mansell (Charlie) and his baby chimpanzee Sukari who both speak American Sign Language. Charlie begins to teach Joey ASL, opening up a whole new world of communication for her - against her mother's wishes. Sukari and Joey form a unique bond but when Charlie's situation changes, it is up to Joey to speak up for Sukari and protect the life of her new found friend.

Hurt Go Happy is a captivating and believable novel, with details based on true events. The characters are richly drawn and ready to pull readers in from the very first chapter. Ginny Rorby expertly describes problems involving the culture clash between deaf and hearing people and also weaves several other serious issues into her story, including: animal rights, teen friendships, fitting in at school, family conflicts, homelessness, and abuse. Highly emotional and overwhelmingly powerful, Hurt Go Happy is an amazingly well written book.

I had actually never heard of this title until I stumbled across it on the New York Public Library's "Books for the Teen Age" list for 2007. How I had missed it is a mystery, one that I can only chalk up to a lack of promotional advertising. Which is a horrible shame, because this book is one of the best I've read in years. If you haven't read it, you should. If you've never heard of it, don't worry, because you'll never forget it once you've read it.

I didn't have a lot of preconceived ideas going into the story. From the book jacket, I knew that HURT GO HAPPY was about a girl named Joey who was deaf, and who lived with a mother who forbid her to learn ASL, or American Sign Language. I knew that she met a chimpanzee named Sukari, who had been raised almost like a child by a man named Charlie, who had taught her ASL. What I didn't know was that this is the most emotional story I've ever read. It may have been a mistake to read this book at work (Don't worry, I'm allowed!), because I broke down in tears more times than I can count while reading it.

It's true that Joey is deaf. She wasn't born that way, but suffered from a childhood incident that isn't revealed until close to the end of the book. The reader knows that it must have been something bad, and it probably has something to do with why her mother, Ruth, doesn't want her learning to sign. That abhorrent, inane hatred of sign language is an attribute of Ruth's that had me disliking her from the first, and even though, over time, her stance ultimately changes, I never came to fully enjoy her as a character. That being said, though, she is one of the strongest characters of the story, and even though I fault her for many mistakes she made throughout HURT GO HAPPY, you can always understand, on some level, how she came to make them.

When Joey meets Charlie, an older doctor who lives close to their home in California, she is immediately taken with him. Not only does he know sign language, but he truly knows her -- and for a girl like Joey, cut off from so many people at home and at school by her inability to communicate easily, this is a treasure. When she meets Sukari, the chimp who is more like a child, she's smitten.

Over the course of months, Joey, Charlie, and Sukari bond as if they were their own tightly knit family, and in a way they are. There are obstacles to overcome, as always, that involve Joey's family, Charlie's health, and Sukari's relationship with them all. HURT GO HAPPY spans the course of years, and during that time we see a myriad of changes, from Joey learning to sign and attending a school for the deaf, from Charlie suffering from his bad heart, and from Sukari being taken from the only home she's ever known to ultimately end up in a research lab.

This isn't an easy story to read, but it's so heartfelt and true that you won't want to stop reading it. Although it's hard to say whether or not HURT GO HAPPY has a happy ending, it has one that is so true to life that you'll understand it's the only way it could have ended. The author makes it clear that this is a story based on true events, and that fact alone will have you thinking of the world in new ways. This book isn't just about being deaf, nor is it strictly about using animals for testing. It's about the choices we make, the burdens we carry, and the love that gets us through it all.

There is so much more I could tell you about this book. I could tell you that I ordered a copy of the AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE CONCISE DICTIONARY so that my daughter and I could learn more signs. I could tell you that I ordered books about other chimps who have lived their lives using ASL. I could mention that, although I had previously never thought much about testing on animals, I now can't stop thinking about it. I could also tell you that, genetically, chimpanzees share over 98% of the same DNA as humans. In the end, though, I'll just say that HURT GO HAPPY is, simply stated, amazing. Read it. You'll be glad you did. I promise.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

"I'm not going to let anyone take her from the only home she knows."

Joey is a young girl who is legally deaf, but doesn't know sign language because of her mother's objections. Then, she meets Charlie and Sukari, an older man and a sign language speaking chimpanzee who change her life. She begins to learn sign language behind her mother's back. Then, something tragic happens and immediate responsibility of Sukari is put on Joey.
Personally I loved the enchanting story of Hurt Go Happy. It brought tears, laughs, and smiles that only an amazing book can bring. I think it contains a strong message about how anything you do, or anyone you meet can come with a life changing experience. I believe that this book best relates to teenage girls, or young adults with disabilities. Also, anyone that loves a "not so classic'' book about human and animal relationships.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that is interested in reading. Hurt Go Happy will take you on an adventure of ups, downs, and even some corkscrews. I personally have read many books this past year and Hurt Go Happy has to be one of the best. Read it and weep, smile, and laugh....

-Rachel Sukenik

This is another wonderful tool given to us by the author Marvie Ellis and the illustrator/artist, Jenny Loehr. The author uses a little girl, the older sister of an autistic child, Keisha. This is very effective! The author certainly has a way of taking a very complex subject, and through her use of words, bringing that subject to the level that a child is able to understand. I loved her concept of "closed doors" and "opening doors." This is quite understandable to a child, and indeed, an adult faced with this devastating condition. Well done! The author takes us step by step through the process of identifying the condition, its treatment and, again, does it in a way that a young person can well understand.

I was delighted, and in fact thrilled, to see this work presented in both Spanish and English, together between two covers. Over the past five years our area of the country has gone through a change with the influx of Spanish speaking people. Our resources were, and are quite thin, and I am sorry to say, quite limited. Books such as this go along way in correcting this situation. My daughter, a first grade teacher, is faced with this language (and indeed, autistic children) problem each and every year, and works such as this are most helpful.

I personally found the illustrations in this book, by artist Jenny Loehr, quite pleasing as I like her method and style. She has the ability to capture so much with her simple facial expressions. The color choices certainly appeal to children and are quite eye catching in a subdued way. The illustrations go perfectly with the text and each, the text and the art work, complement each other perfectly.

Children have as much of a struggle understanding this devastating condition, even more than most adults. The author has done a wonderful job, in the way of explanation, at their level. I might add that any adult will also find this work quite informative. This is another valuable tool and should be included in any school program or home library were applicable. I, as a fully retired individual, do a tremendous amount of substitute teaching at our local schools. I fully intend to read these books to my younger classes. Ignorance is a horrible thing, and this book and the author's other book, Tacos Anyone?, go a long way in stamping it, the ignorance, out. Well done Ms Ellis! I highly recommend this one!

This book is a great tool to help siblings, other family members and non-relatives (including teachers and students) to understand some of the world of kids with autism. This is a very touching story deserving of the acclaim it has received and more. Schools systems would do well to include this book in their libraries. Great story and illustrations! Great work!

Author Marvie Ellis, pediatric speech-language pathologist, founded Speech Kids Texas Press in 2005 for to publish children's storybooks on communication needs. Kiesha's Doors is a bilingual storybook in which English and Spanish text appear simultaneously on the same page. This technique reinforces to children and adults alike the multicultural nature of the modern world we live in, and seeing other languages on the same page may encourage children to explore secondary languages. I think this technique is superior to the alternative of publishing two separate translations. Children's brains easily learn multiple languages, so why not give them as much exposure as possible?

In Kiesha's Doors (Las Puertas de Keisha), 2 year-old Kiesha has stopped communicating with her family, become a picky eater, and taken to a favorite rocking chair. Kiesha parents and her older sister Monica (age 9) learn that she has autism, and they must adapt their communication style to reach Kiesha (to "open her doors"). The story is not just about Monica's adjustment to life with Kiesha, but about the Mom and Dad's journey to get a diagnosis and learn how to relate to their child. It is truly a family story, and it raises important diagnosis questions as well as coping skills. The illustrations are vibrant crayon-style (I loved the way the eyes and faces glow!).

Every library should invest in a copy of this book, and every child and parent should read it at least once, to learn about dealing with people who communicate differently from ourselves.

I have a son w/autism and I purchased this book because I haven't seen any af/am profiled in autism related childrens books before. I enjoyed the book very much. Kudos to the author!

Marvie Ellis is providing a great service to a significant number of people with her Autism Story Books. If you're like me, you know less about autism than you think you do - unless and until someone in your life is born autistic. And if we adults don't really understand what autism is and is not, imagine how hard it would be for a young child to understand it all. Keisha's Doors is told from the perspective of just such a child, a nine-year-old girl who doesn't understand why her three-year-old sister Keisha won't play with her or speak when spoken to. When Keisha is diagnosed with autism, we are there with her family as the doctor and therapist explain what this means and begin to teach them techniques for establishing better communication with the little girl.

The conventional, knee-jerk reaction to a diagnosis of autism would probably be one of alarm and grief, and I'm sure one of the author's purposes in writing this book is to dispel such notions. Here, Keisha's condition is described in terms even her nine-year-old sister can understand: Keisha has certain mental "doors" that are closing her off from some of the people and things around her, and she just needs help opening up some of those closed doors. Rather than tearing the family apart, the situation actually brings them closer together. Now, even Keisha's sister understands why Keisha is different - she even knows a little bit about how to go about helping her expand her awareness.

This is a very positive, heart-warming look at a family caring in the proper way for an autistic child. The story itself is printed in both English and Spanish, while Jenny Loehr's beautiful illustrations speak volumes in and of themselves. Put it all together, and you have a wonderful book - perhaps the only one of its kind - designed to reach as many different people as possible with its important message. I learned something about autism myself in these pages, and I'm sure anyone with any kind of connection to an autistic child will benefit from this book - and Marvie Ellis' succeeding Autism Story Books - immensely.

Parents, teachers, and anyone working with children will benefit from the positive approach of helping all children to learn their strengths and use them effectively. The text has ideas to share that may change the life of a child and those who support the child.

Comprehensive resource, valuable for doctors, therapists, parents and teachers. Learning styles and sensory processing explained well. Invaluable to apply philosophy at any age.

THE MISLABELED CHILD: HOW UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD'S UNIQUE LEARNING STYLE CAN OPEN THE DOOR TO SUCCESS provides parents, teachers and educators a fine, clear guide to children who are different, how diagnoses often fail, and how to look beyond labels to find the basics of a child's problems. Flaws in current methods of evaluation and diagnosis, especially by non-specialists, accompany tools and information based on the latest research along with first-hand accounts by the children themselves.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

The Eides take a new and refreshing approach to many of the concerns and challenges that impact our children's ability to learn. Informative and well-documented, this book is appropriate for anyone involved with children, including parents, teachers, therapists, and physicians. It is packed with important information backed by the latest research. Yet it is presented in a very readable fashion. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who wants to find out more about the many and varied ways that children learn, including those with ADD, autism, sensory processing dysfunction, dyslexia, and those who are gifted.

The Mislabeled Child is a revolutionary book that looks beneath the labels children receive, and addresses the real underlying issues. Essential reading for parents, teachers, and health care professionals alike, this highly readable text provides specific, practical approaches to recognizing and capitalizing on children's strengths in order to help them flourish. From sensory processing difficulties to dyslexia, from language problems to poor handwriting skills, the Eides provide useful insights and marvelous advice.

PARENTS WANTED was chosen as the young people's ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY title this past summer in North Andover, MA. Once a few of the middle schoolers had read Andy's story the word got around town: "It's a great book, read it." Young people and their parents both read about Andy's sad, but often funny efforts to secure himself a set of parents. The voice of Andy is very believable and the world of foster children is presented in a way that's accessible to both young and old. I am happy to report that as a result of the ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY event PARENTS WANTED is now a popular book club choice for the middle schoolers. As an adult you end up rooting both for Andy and his parents whose own story, "child wanted" ends very happily. Harrar writes beautifully as the voice of Andy and never sounds like an adult trying to sound like a middle schooler. I highly recommend this novel to young and old alike.
Marina Salenikas, Head of Youth Services, Stevens Memorial Library, North Andover, MA

I am the mother of a fourteen year old boy diagnosed many years ago with ADD. He struggles with every aspect of life - learning disabilities, social issues, behavior issues etc. He, also, does not enjoy reading. Therefore, I am always looking for interesting books for him, in the hopes that perhaps they will entice him to read.

By chance, I stumbled on this book, Parents Wanted, at our local library. The jacket piqued my interest and I began to read the book myself. The book brought tears to my eyes. The author sincerely understands these children, as only a parent of a child with ADD could. How insightful! I appreciated every nuance of this story!

Of course, I insisted that my son read this book. He, too, enjoyed it, and reluctantly admitted he saw much of himself in the book.

I wish there were more novels about children with ADD. (There isn't much fiction written about this topic for children.)

Parents Wanted is an excellent book for middle school students. As a middle school reading teacher I found Parents Wanted to be a great choice for the students. The book provides the inner thoughts of 12 year old Andy Fleck as he is transitioning from sporadic foster care to living with his new adoptive parents, Jeff and Laurie. As Andy has ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and biological parents who do not care for him, he has a large amount of challenges to overcome.

Andy makes many mistakes and is very honest with himself allowing the students to easily relate to his thoughts and actions. The students enjoyed keeping a journal of their reading of the book and also loved illustrating favorite events in the book. The book's Boston area setting additionally appeals to those students living in and around Boston.

Though the book's focus is about an adolescent boy, the story appeals to both boys and girls. Many of the studetns were relieved that Andy expressed thoughts that they too feel. The students connect so well with Andy that it is hard to believe that Andy is fictional.

I highly recommend this book for pleasure reading as well as for part of any middle school reading program.

The picture of the boy on the cover of this book is strongly reminiscent of a very young George Harrison, circa 1962. That is what caught my attention.

When Andy Fleck's natural parents declare him a ward of the state, the boy, then 12 is placed in a Boys' Home. The place sounds more like a hospital/institution than any kind of home. The "school" the boys attend is, in Andy's words "a pretend school" where they are not given age appropriate activies nor work commensurate with their ability levels. There is even locked seclusion rooms for out of control moments.

Andy's natural parents drank and fought; Andy even says he remembers them throwing things at each other over his crib. He had the crib until age 5 because "they didn't have money to buy me a real bed until then." Although he voices loyalty to them, each memory he shares about them paints a very bleak life indeed. Andy responds by lying, stealing and truancy. He also has Attention Deficit Disorder and takes two medications.

Once at the Home, Andy goes on trial foster homes, none of which work out. Some of the homes, such as the one with "Dumb Donald and Weird Joan" were abusive. Each time, Andy manages to get returned to the Home. His angel of a social worker, Alison, works tirelessly on his behalf to find him a suitable placement. Andy also, along with the other boys gets to meet prospective adoptive parents. It is during one of these Sunday gatherings that he meets the Sizeracys.

A kind, loving couple, the Sizeracys agree to take Andy for a trial. Andy, despite his man-of-the-world exterior, still is attached to his stuffed toys and loves being read to at night. He appears to thrive at the Sizeracys, although he continues his pattern of lying, stealing and truancy. Each time the Sizeracys go to bat for him and in an especially touching scene, the boy's foster father gives him the benefit of the doubt when Andy is accused of stealing $20.00 from a teacher.

Despite the bumpy road and the predictable ending, it is still an entertaining read. One will be cheering for the Sizeracys.

I loved this book and I keep reading this over and over I can never get enough of it. I really dont like to read but I picked this book up at a store and just read it over and over til it was time to close, which was about ten. So at the end I bought it because I just wanted to keep reading it. I have read the book at least 32 times. I love it because I wish I had a family like that. I might not have been in foster homes but I dont like where I am so to me this is a book that I wish I was in. I hope whoever reads the book realizes it is a very good book. 5 stars all the way. I am only 15 and I have not read too many books but this book got me into reading so it has to be good. I think I am repeating myself so I am gonna go. Later.

This is such a sweet little craft with everything included to make a bucket full of stars in many colors for cards, packages, scrapbooks, room decorations, jewelry, etc. So much fun to make and easy to follow instrunctions. A great gift idea.

Klutz has done it again with a fantastic how to guide on little origami stars. As with all things Klutz, the instructions are very well written and easy to understand. You will be making these little stars before you know it.

Wishing Stars is fun for all ages and for anyone interested in starting out doing origami. Everything you need to get started is right in this little kit and you will soon realize the possibilities for these little works of art are endless - my personal favorite is to top packages with them.

Those cool little thingies. The Klutz "Wishing Stars" pack is one of the best (and most original) craft books out there. For something so simple, they do cause a lot of amusement. Who figured out how to fold these stars anyway? All of my friends want to know where and how I learned the directions to make the pretty, little things. Thanks Klutz, we've certainly had some fun times with them!

Once upon a time I was wondering around the streets of Chinatown in San Francisco and I saw a store that sold strips of cool colored paper and I thought to myself "I have no earthly idea what this could be used for... I must purchase some..." and did so promptly...

Never did a thing with them...

Fast forward to finding "Wishing Stars: Everything You Need to Make 100 Tiny Origami Stars" by the always brilliant Klutz wizards... And not only did I suddenly know exactly what to do with the strips of paper... I was in star making heaven...

The instructions seemed very clear to me, which is saying a lot since I'm dyslexic... Sure, it takes you a couple of good run throughs to get the feel of "star making," but once you get it, you'll be whipping them out in seconds... They're a very Zen way to pass time... I've made stars on airplanes, in cars, in nightclubs while bored, on trains and in restaurants as a cute addition to a tip...

I think most people would find this kit to be as star-tastic as I did, it just takes a little patience...

I got this for Christmas one year and I absolutely fell in love with them. I used to have a friend that would make these little stars but I was never able to make them every time she tried to teach it to me. Then one day I moved across the country so i was never able to learn. I then found this book on the internet and I knew I had to have it! Klutz just made it so simple and I liked that you could put your paper on the pictures to see if you were doing it right! I was so exicted when I got this that I brought it to school to show my friends. At lunch all we did was make stars it was so much fun! Thanx again klutz!

hello readers! i love katherine applegate!ive been tring to find a good book series for years!i use to read baby sitters club but now im older and i need books i can relate to!i pick zoe fools around out by pure chance and i read it and now im on book 11 and i cant stop!my mom says i should go to the libary to read them but i refuse because the money you spend on these books are worth it!i cant put them down!i wish i would of found this seires a long time a go! when i get older i wanna be a writer and i wanna be just like her(apple gate)but i wish i knew who michael was that name is always in the front in the decication page but other wise i love these boooks and i will read them in till the day i die or ms.applegate stops writting them!

I would really recommend this book to anyone looking for a goodbook to read. You might have to read the books before it in the seriesto get a better feel for the characters but you do get the whole story in one book.

Aaron is quite sneaky. He wanted that confrontation between himself and Lucas to take place. Lucas is so blinded by the anger that he doesn't see it. However, I am sure that Claire knows what it really going on for she plays games more than a little bit.

I am pulling for Benjamins surgery to be a success. I do not know what to say about Jake or Lara.

And, oh yeah, please be believe Aaron wants Claire every bit as much as Claire wants him. He likes Zoey cause she is naive and untouched.

This whole series is great!I finish each book in about 2 1/2 hours.I can't put them down!And Ben is by FAR my favorite character!If you haven't,I definately suggest reading these books.

For supposedly being a book about 19-year-old Benjamin Passmore (one of my favorite characters in the Making Out series), "Ben Takes a Chance" seldom revolves around him. Instead, it follows the various love problems brewing among the other Chatham Island teens. For starters, Zoey Passmore was found making out with Aaron Mendel in "Nina Shapes Up" (#10) while she was still dating Lucas Cabral (major déjà vu here; remember her cheating on Jake McRoyan at the beginning of this series in "Zoey Fools Around"?). Next is Aisha Gray and Christopher Shupe. He's recently proposed to Aisha and has been pressuring her to give him a yes or no answer before he ships out in January. (He's in the army.) Personally, I don't think they should marry, but we'll see.

And, although Benjamin had been debating for the past couple of books whether or not to proceed with the experimental laser surgery that may or may not restore his sight, the actual operation doesn't start until the end of this book. Major disappointment! From what I assumed from the synopsis on the back of this book, it should have occurred within the first dozen or so pages. Perhaps the result of his operation will be in the succeeding book, "Claire Can't Lose" (#12). I hope. (fingers crossed)

So, overall, this was a pretty good book (thus my 5/5 rating). However, I was a little bummed Benjamin was rarely the star of this book. I would think something as important as regaining one's sight would entail a few more pages or chapters than what was allotted. Still, "Ben Takes a Chance" is worth reading if you're into the Making Out series.