Reviews (1)

On the mark
David Patneaude has a bead on the push-and-pull of middle-school society. His main character is realistically torn between the flattery of a popular bully and the cameraderie of new friends who are way outside the in crowd. That alone will cause young readers to buy into this story. Patneaude adds suspense, some memorable characters, and drama, along with a satisfying conclusion. Young readers will almost certainly forgive the preachy and over-long finale wherein the bullies get their due. If you like this book, though, don't bypass this author's earlier novels Someone Was Watching and Last Man's Reward. ... Read more

Book Description

On John's visits to Grandpa's house, his blind grandfather shares with him the special way he sees and moves in the world. ‘In addition to showing readers how the blind develop alternatives to sight, the story also stands as a warm picture of old'young bonding and simple family sharing.' 'BL.

Notable 1980 Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
A Reading Rainbow Selection ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Well-written, realistic story
This is a very nicely written story about a boy and his grandfather, who is blind. It portrays a close, loving relationship between the two, and explains in a very simple and positive way how the grandfather perceives the world without his visual sense. The accompanying drawings are simple and artistic. It is so difficult to find realistic, beautiful books for children, but this one is absolutely wonderful. I give it my highest recommendation.

A real lesson to be learned
This wonderful book about relying on your senses when you are blind demonstrates that blind people can lead a productive life. Grandpa shares his zest for life with his grandson, John. At first John does not understand how his grandpa is able to do all that he does. Grandpa shares his secret. As a preservice teacher I've used this book to talk about aging and its effects with my students. We also talk about what we can do to help others who have disabilities. This is an excellent book to allow children to examine their thoughts on older people and disabilities. ... Read more

Book Description

The bestselling biography of Helen Keller and how, with the commitment and lifelong friendship of Anne Sullivan, she learned to talk, read, and eventually graduate from college with honors. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

This touching story teaches young, open minds to value life.
How does one condense the triumphant account of an American heroine into an easy-to-read biography? Chronologically spanning Helen Keller's lifetime, Davidson focuses on Keller's crucial early years, when Annie Sullivan first unlocked Helen's world of darkness. Colorful dialogue will excite third and fourth grade readers; Helen advises such young readers to "taste every bit of food as if tomorrow you would never smell or taste again." The presence of such actual quotations is confounded by Davidson's other paraphrased dialogue between Mrs. Keller and Ms. Sullivan; The lack of a bibliography, or even mention of Keller's infamous The Story Of My Life hampers children's further explorations. Davidson's use of "blind children," and "deaf boys and girls," appropriate to Helen's era violates the principle of people-first language appropriate for today's reader, and should be noted by adults. Still, intermediate readers gain insight from the accurate classic photographs at the back of the book while younger listeners enjoy the decorative black and white sketches complementing the story line. Both reader and listener may open their minds through Helen's viewpoint that "the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched," but "must be felt with the heart." This touching, real-life story teaches young, open minds to value life and seize every opportunity.

This is the best book ever!
The story of Helen Keller and her life of silence and darkness is told wonderfully in this book. I first read this books when I was about 7 (I am now 16) and it is still my absolute favorite book! I have read countless times and my book has fallen apart. This is a great book for anyone!

First Chapter Book
This is the first chapter book I ever read. I am now 13 year olds and when I was in 1st grade I learned to read. In first grade I read this book and was hooked on reading forever after that. So thank you to the author!
This book has 95 pages in it, I remember it seemed so long then!

Two generations loved this book
My 8 year old just finished this book and was fascinated. I realized as I looked through it that I read it as a child and loved it too (as an 11 year old). My daughter is now eager to learn more about Braille and the consequences of being blind--though I had to ask her not to walk through the kitchen with her eyes closed. She loved the photos and can't wait to read about Annie Sullivan. A great book to show the triumph of the human spirit over adversity--and without pity!

Helen Keller
I didn't really like Helen Keller. My favorite part is when Helen got her diploma because she was the first blind and deaf to graduate. I don't know how you can chan it was her life.I read it because it was a asiment. ... Read more

Book Description

"There’s a new boy at school called Louis. Louis sits next to me and I look out for him. He’s not quite like the rest of us. Sometimes I wonder what he’s thinking about. He often just sits and stares at the wall. If I ask him what he’s looking at, he says, ‘Looking at,’ and keeps on looking."

Louis has autism, but through imagination, kindness, and a special game of soccer, his classmates find a way to join him in his world. Then they can include Louis in theirs. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A GOOD LESSON FOR ALL
Would that all youngsters would be as patient and understanding with those who are "different" as are the children in this touching and informative story about an autistic boy.

When Louis who has autism goes to a new school his classmates try very hard to understand him. They want to include him in their activities but they don't know how. One girl offers him crayons, and suggests he draw.

Recess is a bit of a challenge for all as Louis runs in and out of the boys' soccer game disrupting play. He also has a tendency to speak out at the wrong times, but the teachers are very patient with him. One day Sam was displaying what he could do with his new soccer ball when Louis began to chase him. The other children shouted encouragement when Louis even came close to the ball, which brought a smile to Louis's face.

Pretty soon Louis was drawing picture of playing ball, and the children knew that they had reached him, made him a part of their school day. A valuable lesson for all young readers regarding the importance of inclusiveness is found in "Looking After Louis."

- Gail Cooke

Understanding Children
This story has a wonderful feel to it. It clearly touches on a difficult area to understand for children, but it deals with the subject of autism in a sensitive and understanding way, without losing its quality as a story. All the children in the story are well observed and I think it will appeal to an age group who are actually very interested in the differences between individuals, and are happiest when they are involved and doing something. My children loved the story, and I choked a little when I read it. ... Read more

Book Description

"When every kid on the block wanted to become a policeman or fireman, I wanted to be an artist. It was the first thing that I was good at, the first thing that really made me special. I had skills the other kids didn't have. Art saved my life." These are the words of Chuck Close, one of America's most celebrated artists and the subject of this inspiring and thought-provoking book. Through interviews conducted with Close as well as an analysis of his technique, acclaimed authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan explore the ways in which an artist's life and work intertwine. Close's remarkable larger-than-life portraits are the result of a carefully constructed system that finds its roots in both his struggle to overcome severe learning difficulties as a child and immense physical challenges later in life.With full-color reproductions of Close's work as well as additional material on portraits and portraiture, plus a glossary and bibliography, this is an engaging and accessible study of an extraordinary artist, the subject of over one hundred one-man shows, including a retrospective exhibition at New York's Museum of Modern Art. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

it's a pretty good intro
Greenberg and Jordan's book is a pretty good introduction to the work of one of our modern masters, Chuck Close. Chuck Close is a phenomenal painter, both before the onset of his disease and even more so after. You won't find many books on him, or many that contain his work. Until something a bit more 'adult' or comprehensive comes out, this is a good selection. It discusses his life and work. There is also a brief chapter on what is a portrait. They finish it off with a list of museums that have some of Chuck Close's work. It's a nice intro to a great artist.

Buy this BEFORE some adult version!
Both elementary and high school readers get something from this book. The straightforward prose coveys this artist's powerful talent, humanity and relevance without being sappy. My students like to be read to when they work - its great to see them process and internalize this information as they struggle with these skills and concepts. Clean design and beautiful photos lay it all out simply. If more art history grad students would get to the point this well and this fast, I could coach art history as a sport.

Great Book for Intro to Gridded Portraiture in HS Art
I'm an artist and art teacher, and I recently read this book tomy high school art students as an introduction to gridded portraiture.Don't let the age 9-12 reading level put you off--my high schoolstudents really enjoyed learning about Chuck Close, and were impressedby his work and his life story. In addition to having some greatpictures of Close's work, the book has a lot to say about the artist'sability to develop strategies to deal with his learning disabilities,and his perseverance to continue to work despite an injury that lefthim paralyzed from the neck down. Many of the students could relateto Close's learning differences, and viewed his story as veryinspirational. I like this book so much, in fact, that I'mrecommending it on my website where I have a detailed lesson planbased on teaching kids portraiture via a similar gridded method! END

this is
This is a clear and inspiring story of the life and art of a great american artist. (and not as expensive and art speaky as a catalogue raisonne) Good for children and adults. I highly recommend it!!!!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Oscar-winning actor and producer Marlee Matlin makes her writing debutabout a topic she knows very well--the difficulties of growing up deaf.Nine-year-old Megan is thrilled when Cindy moves in down the street, even thoughthe two couldn't be more different. Megan is boisterous; Cindy is shy. Meganloves everything with a passion, especially the color purple; Cindy shrinks fromattention. Megan is deaf; Cindy can hear. Together, they forge an unlikelyfriendship that is tested when the two decide to attend summer camp together.There is another deaf child in their bunk, and suddenly Megan seems to forgetthe promise she made to Cindy to be "BFF," Best Friends Forever. Cindy struggleswith this rejection, even as it forces her to step out from behind Megan'sshadow and learn to speak up for herself. Once they are home again, the tworeconcile when a hair-pulling argument dissolves into laughter.

The preeminent author of fiction about children with disabilities has alwaysbeen the beloved Jean Little (Little by Little, Mine for Keeps, etc.). Havingsaid that, Matlin is no Little, but her writing style is competent and clearlydescribes the realities of Megan's world. And even though Matlin's gently toldstory doesn't rise much above the "message" of Megan's disability, it's still amessage that youngsters need to hear. (Ages 8 to 10) --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Reviews (8)

This is a fantastic book
This is a great book for any child, but if you have a deaf child it's a must. It's well written and, let's be frank, there isn't a lot of fiction with deaf characters that kids can relate too. If your child is a little older (teen or adult), Jack Haldeman's "The Fall Of Winter" is a sci-fi story with several deaf characters (and their deafness is definetely *not* a handicap!).

The best
I know I'm only tweleve and older people dont really listen to us, but hear me out for a second. This book is a heart touching storie that talks about a girl named Megan who is deaf. I read this in my sign language class. Just the first chapter caught my attention. Its shows that a girl, 10 years old, who's deaf, can still be who she wants to be. A leader. Not only of her street but also being proud of being deaf. That is what I like to read. Someone who has a diablility can still feel proud of who she is. Amazing! Now go a buy this book. It will truely turn your life around and have you look at life in a different light.

Mediocre at best
Generally an accurate depiction of a deaf girl's childhood in a hearing family and environment.

If I were younger, I'd enjoy this book a bit better. There are not many books with the main character being Deaf. This book scores solely on the factor that the main character is Deaf. Great for these little girls who are Deaf out there.

But other than that, this book is mediocre at best. The writing is bland, the storyline tired, the characters undeveloped, and the countless typos annoying.

A disappointing book overall.

Good
This book was o.k.

It is about two girls that build a very strong friendship.There is a deaf girl named Megan that just can't wait till the new girl Cindy moves in.Ones she does they learn how to sign to each other and end up going to camp togeter.After they get into a figt and learned the differance between each other they become even closer.

A Story of Friendship
This book is about a deaf child named Megan. The characters were funny, like the kids I know at school. I think the author is telling us that deaf kids are both the same as hearing children and very different at the same time. We all have
misunderstandings and everyone needs to be sensitive to each others needs. This book is very touching-I cried when Megan's dog Apples died. For insight into Megan's world and kids like her you should read this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Kids who are labeled BD (or ED, EBD, or SED) struggle every day—with their peers, teachers, parents, and themselves. It’s no fun to be labeled, and nobody wants to have behavior problems. Often, however, kids who get in trouble a lot don’t know how else to act. This book can help them improve their behavior and their lives.

Modeled after our best-selling SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR KIDS WITH LD, THE BEHAVIOR SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR KIDS guides readers to better understand themselves and the problems their behavior creates. "Dr. Mac" describes what BD is (and isn’t), the types and causes of BD, and special school programs for kids with BD. He suggests many strategies kids can use to handle strong feelings and make positive choices. Stories and quotes from real kids let readers know they’re not alone; Idea! boxes present activities for practicing new ways to behave. Kids learn to believe in themselves, take responsibility for their actions, make smarter choices, and enjoy the results of their better behavior. Includes a glossary and a list of additional resources for kids. An extensive list of resources for parents and teachers is available as a free download from the Free Spirit Web site. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Review from a Youngster
I like the way you can use a compliment or request sandwich. Somtimes I have somthing really important to say or ask somebody, but I just can't get the words out. Compliment or request sandwiches can help me do that. Just one thing though. I like mine with mayo.

I also thought of confession sandwiches. Two compliments with a confession in between, it might make the person who's confessing feel a little better about doing it.

-Patrick, age nine ... Read more

Book Description

Zach Wahhsted is used to hearing these brutal words. But today he isn't the only one in danger of dying.

A busy coffee shop -- a robbery gone wrong. Two gunmen, nine hostages, flash-ing lights, itchy trigger fingers. And Zach, a seemingly ordinary teenager, is caught in the middle of the mayhem.

But nobody realizes that Zach -- who has no gun and no knife -- has a mind more dangerous than any weapon.

Never what he seems and always on the edge, Zach is an unforgettable character in a new book by Terry Trueman that is filled with the same shocking power and heartbreaking compassion as his Printz Honor Book, stuck in neutral.

Reviews (2)

Inside Out Is INTENSE And Eye-Opening
Terry Trueman has done it again! Inside Out is an amazingly intense read.

The main character, Zach is perfectly framed in a bad situation, a hold up, but nothing could be as bad as the battle Zach has going on in his mind. Zach suffers from schizophrenia and tries very hard to do what is perceived to be "appropriate" in our society.

Trueman manages to create a character in Zach that is unforgettable. This story MOVES so fast, it is over before you know it. I could not put this book down.

Trueman's ability to draw the reader in and make each character, major or minor, an important one is unparalleled.

This book is a wonderful mix of a fast-paced story with action, tense moments of anticipation, and characters that the reader can identify with immediately.

To top all of that off, Terry Trueman has alerted the public about the horrors of schizophrenia.

You have done it again Terry Trueman!

Richie's Picks: INSIDE OUT
" 'Zach, you're a stupid wong-gong, a long-gone wong-gong.'
"I ignore this, but while I'm sitting here being quiet, my palms are sweaty and my throat is dry. I need to decide if this situation is real or not; I need to decide that right now. Sometimes I understand what's going on, and other times I don't have a clue. If I don't figure this one out, I could be in trouble."

According to the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression:

"Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe brain disorder which affects approximately 1 percent of the world population. Approximately 2 million people in the United States suffer from the disease in a given year. Schizophrenia is characterized by positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and markedly disorganized behavior. Negative symptoms include reduced emotional expression, social withdrawal, loss of pleasure, difficulty concentrating and/or thinking, and a lack of energy, spontaneity or initiative. Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and preventing psychotic relapses. Schizophrenia is usually treated with antipsychotic medication, and may be used in combination with psychosocial therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Many scientists believe that schizophrenia results from a chemical imbalance in the brain, and are investigating various neurotransmitters in determining this imbalance."

Sixteen-year-old Zach Wahhsted suffers from adolescent onset schizophrenia. He waits at the coffee shop after school each day; him mom picks him up there up at 3:30 and gives him his medication. It is imperative that he get his twice-daily medication on time so that Rat and Dirtbag--the worst of the voices in his head that have tortured him in the past--don't come back.

Today, Zach will not get his medication on time.

"All I want is a maple bar, but I don't think these kids with the guns care about what I want."

Today, as Zach waits for his mom's arrival, a pair of teenagers, "Frosty" and "Stormy," come in to rob the coffee shop and the situation disintergrates into an armed standoff with hostages.

"I look around at everybody else in this place, and they all look scared, so I'm trying to look scared too. I mean, I guess I'm scared, but this all seems so normal to me. The thing is, I'm used to seeing and hearing really weird stuff, so this doesn't feel that strange to me at all."

As a schizophrenic, Zach tends to react differently--some would say inappropriately.

"One of the kids with a gun, the older-looking one, says, 'Nobody's gonna get hurt if you just do what we tell you!'
"I say, 'Okay.'
"He seems surprised at the sound of my voice and looks at me real fast, then away again.
"He says, 'We don't wanna hurt anybody.'
" 'Good,' I say.
"He looks at me again, 'You gotta problem?' he asks. I think he sounds mad.
" 'Yes,' I say.
"This surprises him too. 'Oh, yeah?' he asks, then he points his gun right at me. 'What's your problem?'
"I'm sort of surprised that he wants to know.
"His gun is big and black, with a wide hole in the end of the barrel. It's like a tunnel.
"I answer him as truthfully as I can. 'I'm sick, that's my problem; I take medicine two times every day, thanks for asking.' "

"The lunatic is in my head
The lunatic is in my head
You raise the blade, you make the change
You re-arrange me 'til I'm sane

You lock the door
And throw away the key
There's someone in my head but it's not me"
--Pink Floyd

INSIDE OUT is a tense and often comic tale that plays out inside the back room of the coffee shop and inside Zach Wahhsted's head as 3:30 comes and goes...

"I wonder if Frosty and Stormy are going to shoot me. Like in that movie Pulp Fiction. The bad guys shoot lots of people in that movie. I'm definitely NOT going to ask them about Pulp Fiction or about shooting us. I don't want to give them any bad ideas.
"I don't even want to think about getting shot, and so I try to be real quiet...
"After whispering to Stormy, Frosty says, 'Okay, everybody, we've got an announcement.'
"All of us look at Frosty, but before he can say anything else, I hear words flying out of my mouth...
" 'Frosty,' I ask, 'did you ever see that movie Pulp Fiction?' "

This story of how the kid with all the voices in his head turns out to be the voice of reason in a tense life-and-death situation is a spectacular read. And while there is great levity in the unique rapport that develops between Zach and the armed teens, beneath the hostage situation is the realization that no matter how the standoff ends, Zach will forever be hostage to those voices in his head. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A deep dark tale
A fascinating tale of the lives of the old and young. In this story, a boy's handicap becomes a strength, and then an unwanted power. Following the adventures of a Native American boy, the story explores the nature of desire and our own darkness. The book was, in my opinion, well written and at no point relied on stereotypes. The book's Native Americans are never named, and this makes perfect sense. It reminds of that play, "Fifth of July", where an old hippie remarks that Eskimos call themselves "the people" and everyone else, "the other people". To which his co-horts exclaim, "Of course they say that. Everyone says that!". This came to mind while reading this book. I liked it. I liked the plot and the characters. I liked the odd jealousy the weroance had for her brother, and how the book didn't condemn her for it. I liked the descriptions of the land of water the most. I wasn't particularly taken with the magical realism concerning the disappearance of Gray Fire, but then it wasn't a bad way of presenting his disappearance. In the end, it's a strong story with a couple odd twists and turns. It would read aloud very well, and could pair with "A Boy Called Slow" as a story of a boy becoming a man.

beautiful story
This book was required reading for a college children's lit class and I was incredibly pleased with it. It is an absolutely beautiful story of a young native american boy. The book is written in lovely, lyrical language using incredible imagery. It is a book children can relate to, as it is told in first person by a child and includes all the mixed up feelings of a child, but it also addresses some very deep and meaningful issues that adults will find rather poignent. I was captivated throughout.

Excellent!!!
Loved this book. What a wonderful world that is depicted by the author. I think it would be a wonderful read for children of all ages. Excellent.

A great book!
This is a coming of age book with a new twist. The child becoming a man lives in a world which is smaller than we can imagine. It is small because he cannot see more than a few inches, but it is also small because he lives in a tiny Native American tribe that has virtually no contact with anyone outside of its own narrow circle.

And yet in this very small world, the adolescent begins a voyage like that of all adolescents, where adults stop being enormous mythical figures and start emerging as human beings, each with their own strengths and weaknesses; and where those adults begin to see the adolescent as one of them, with whom they can share their secrets.

But, unlike adolescents in our larger world, this youngster does not rebel and become angry. Instead he grows and learns and is awed and almost overcome by what he discovers. Perhaps this is because, in this very small world, all the adults are able to show a respect and sensitivity to the emerging man that we have lost in our larger world.

This book is actually very complex. I doubt that your typical kid would understand it without help, but that is really its strength, that you can talk with your kid about what it feels like to become an adult.

Sees Behind Trees: The Epitome of Dreary
The book, Sees Behind Trees, by Michael Dorris is a bland and dull book. It doesn't give any information about Indian culture. The story all starts when Walnut becomes a man in his Native American society. He has the special ability to see things from far away without looking. Gray Fire, a town elder, wants Walnut to help him find the land of water, which Gray Fire had seen at a young age but couldn't find the way back. They start on their journey, and run into many problems along the way. Will they make it, or will it end before it even started?

I don't recommend this book because it teaches you nothing. Walnut lives in an Indian village and, the author doesn't show enough of what Native American tribe he is from. At one point in the book he becomes a man, in a tribal event, where he spots a man from far in the woods, ad gets his nickname, "Sees Behind Trees". The author doesn't give enough insight to any cultural things. The events are lacking a certain credential. Another reason is that it doesn't make it more exciting when Walnut comes in either, and makes it a slow read. In one scene they are about to encounter these very dangerous strangers. The strangers end up being nice people from a foreign land. Also, when Walnut falls off the face of a cliff looking for Gray Fire he is fine. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book because of these reasons.

Some people who want to read books to their kids would probably disagree with me. A lot of people see this book as a novel for young teens. But it is a good children's book because of the plot, which is easy to follow, especially when they are in the woods. It probably wont be picked up by many parents, so preteens should listen to my suggestions. If anyone reads this book they will realize my recommendations were correct. It is a lackluster and bland book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Moo Nelson is fat--pale white blubbery fat--and he gets rained on every day at school for it. The jokes, the insults, the snide laughter, the beatings--all of it he calls the RAIN. Moo has learned to "umbrellarize" it, to walk through it with his eyes down. Because after school there is always the bridge--a place where he can where he can watch the cars go by on the highway and find some shelter from the RAIN.

That is until the day he sees two speeding cars, a crash, a scuffle, and a murder on the bridge. Moo is the only witness, and his story is not what the police want to hear. If he tells the truth, Keith Vine, a notorious bad guy, will go free, and Detective Inspector Callan will retaliate by sending Moo's father to jail for welfare fraud. If he lies, Vine will take violent revenge. The secret pressures mount on Moo from all sides--money and gifts, threats and beatings--until he chooses to kiss the RAIN, to take action against his tormentors.

Kevin Brooks again shows the brilliance that won him acclaim for Martyn Pig and Lucas. The story emerges through a murky stream of consciousness; Moo's working-class British voice swirls past the boulders of plot events. Moo is befuddled, hurting, and enormously touching as he struggles toward a dimly perceived Right Thing to Do, and misses the mark badly. This third YA novel from Kevin Brooks' is evocative of the best of PBS' Mystery! Series. (Ages 12 and older) --Patty Campbell ... Read more

Reviews (5)

CONFUSING BOOK
This is a book about a kid named Moo who is bullied and picked on and one day he goes to his "special spot" and witnesses a road rage where someone is murdered. He ends up going to court but is blackmailed by the lawyers before he gets there. You eventually figure out which side he testifies for, and at the very end you find out what "kiss the rain" actually means. This is a descent book but it's hard to understand. Moo repeats himself over and over and he also does a lot of talking to himself which makes the book confusing. I wouldn't advise anyone lower than tenth grade to read this book.

Cliffhanger Ending
The book Kissing the Rain is about a fat kid,
Michael (nicknamed Moo) who is teased, or RAINED
OFF as he calls it, a lot. Every day after
school, after the Rain, he goes to a bridge with
a highway on it. He goes there to calm his mind
and to lose himself at the bridge. One day, he
sees two cars pull over. Pretty soon, a fight
starts and one guy is killed, but no one is sure
who kills him. Moo is one of the few witnesses
and the police take a statement from him and he
has to go to court. Some people want the guy who
supposedly killed the man in jail, but that guy
will do anything to keep that from happening,
even bribe Moo and seriously hurt his friend. To
find out what happens to Moo and the rest, read
the book.

I liked this book a lot. It reminded me of
people I know at school who are teased a lot just
because of how they look.That helped me connect
with Moo and understand his feelings, which were
quite accurate. The plot kept me interested and
it was written like Moo was actually telling the
story to you. It had curse words, badly spelled e-
mails, improper grammar, and other things to make
the book seem real. The ending was a perfect
cliffhanger and it made you wonder what would
happen next. I know there is not going to be a
sequel so this book lets me imagine the ending.
Also, it left you with a message, which is you
can say you are going to do something, but are
you really going to do it? Choices in life are
often very tough to make.I recommend this book
to anyone, no matter what they like or do not
like.

Reviewed by J. Plowe for Flamingnet Book Reviews, www.flamingnet.com.

GREAT novel! - Julia Tramantano
Kissing the Rain was an amazing fictional book by Kevin Brooks.While reading this book it's like living a different life, understanding exactly how the main character is feeling: all the pain and the anger.You can really relate to the main character in one way or another, by getting to know him page after page.This book makes you want to read on and find out what is going to happen next, "What is Moo going to do?" "How is he going to react?"It really makes you want to know how the story ends-even after you have finished reading it.

The Rain: We all live it
Moo Nelson is a young man who has to face the everyday chellenges of an oveerweight adolescent. His friends are not real friends, his enemies are real enemies though. He must deal with the "rain" (insults and beatings) every day of his life, but rather than drugs or alcahol, he escapes his inner torments with the simple peacefulness of a bridge.

One day however, the peacfulness is shattered as a case of road rage turns violent. Suddenly Moo is hurtled into a confusing series of events that endangers his well being. If Moo tells the truth, or if he lies, something terrible will happen. All Moo does know, however, is that he somehow has to overcome the rain.

This book is speactacularly written, truly revealing the inner torments of an overweight teenager. The confusing thoughts, the pain, the misery all comes pouring out in a horriyingly calm and accepting manner. I am 15 years old and an avid reader, so I am not easily impressed, but the book was very impressive. If you enjoy this book I would recommend "Crusader" as well.

Great Novel, interesting approach to writing
Yes, I do rate this a 5 out of 5. It has an interesting approach to writing, because the 'cause's are spelled cos, and Brooks uses capitals very often throughout the book, practically on every page. It's a great book to read, and sometimes the main character, Michael, nicknamed "Moo" for his fatness, states his thoughts in the book, and his thoughts are peculiar and its like...he takes all the words literally. For example, when a guy says all right?, after that he thinks of like...ALL RIGHT? IM ALWAYS LAUGHED AT FOR BEING FAT AND PUSHED AROUND. ALL RIGHT? yea...right. ... Read more

Book Description

How sick is this: I'm the major jock-stud in high school, but my brother has the brain of a badminton birdie and a body to match. I've got everything and he's got nothing. I'm a three-year, three-sport letterman and Shawn can't even stand up! Like I said, sick, huh?

It's hard to be a brother to someone who doesn't even know you're there. How can you talk to him when he can't understand a thing you say? How can you listen to him when he can't speak a word? How can you love him when he's so messed up, he can't love you back? And how can you have a life of your own when your father bailed on the family, leaving you to be the "man of the house"?

Fueled by rage at what has happened to his family, Paul is ready to explode. And he is haunted by something even worse -- something he can never tell anyone. It is something he will have to face if he is to have any hope of a future at all. While Cruise Control is a companion to Terry Trueman's Printz Honor book, Stuck in Neutral, it is the completely independent story of a family's "other" son -- the one who is healthy, gifted, normal. It is a courageously hopeful story told with power, compassion, and humor.

Reviews (36)

Will Petey Survive?
This book Petey by Ben Mikaelsen truly captures how just one person can make such a huge difference in somebody's life. In this book a baby in 1920 gets miss-diagnosed as an idiot and got placed in a mental institution. Throughout Petey's life he meets tons of people, many of them care for Petey and he cared for them too. But, when Petey gets older he has to get transferred to an old age home. There he meets a teenage boy who learns to care for Petey . This book makes you want to reach out and help someone, it makes you strive to be a better friend. Find out how all of Petey's relationships grow and at the end of the book you also will care for Petey. Every one should read this book. It keeps you wanting to read more; you practically can't put this book down. You want to know what happens to Petey in his lifetime, and you also want to know if his illness gets better or worse. Ben Mikaelsen wrote this book extremely descriptive; it feels like you are in the story. You are in touch with the character's feelings. The topic of this story is cerebral palsy. It is a topic that you normally would not read about, but this book is not only appealing you actually learn about the sickness, cerebral palsy. I know some people disagree with me and they don't like this book, because they think it is slow. This book may start out slow in the beginning for some people, but as it continues it gets better and better. This book would not be appropriate for younger children, because it has some words that are hard to understand, and also some concepts that may not yet have been introduced to younger children. Dealing with an illness is also hard for young children to understand. However, you can really learn about topics that are new to you by reading about them in a book like this, and thereby learn to be more understanding of people's problems. This is a touching book, and even after you finish reading it you will keep thinking about it and want to read it over and over again. This is not a book that just gets thrown on a bookshelf and forgotten.

petey
Petey book is the best I've ever read. It's about a boy that lives in a mental institution but he is not mental he just has cerebral palsy (A dysfunction in the brain that doesn't allow you to walk) the pain and hurt that Petey has gone through and knowing that he gets a friend makes it that much better. This book really sounds believable it seems like it can happen in real life. I love this book but I don't like the way he starts it he just rambles on about nothing about the real story so their for I give it 4 **** (stars) and I lost some interest and it made me want to stop reading. But... once he gets the (real) story going it got me hooked again and I was done before I no it. And it was due the next day so... but yes, I like this book and would recommend it for any one one that has at least 5 min to start the story then you (warning) WILL BE HOOKED!!!

By the way I just saved a whole bunch of money on my car insurance!

Petey, A touching story
Petey is one of the most touching, saddest story I have ever read. This story is about a man named Petey who is born with a serious disease were he can do nothing, but think and lie in his bed. He makes many friends who learn to communicate and stick up for him until his last seconds in this wonderful world. This book will bring tears and a new respect for people who are different and for your own life.

I liked this book.
It's 1920 in Bozeman Alabama, and the Corbin family has just been blessed with a baby boy named Petey in a hospital. However, he looks completely different from other ordinary babies. Because of this, the doctors misdiagnose him as an idiot and think he's severely feebleminded. But Petey has a severe case of cerebral palsy, a condition that's caused by brain damage and results in poor control and weakness of the muscles before, during, or briefly after birth. Two years later, the family sends him to the Insane Asylum in Warm Springs Montana because they can't care for him anymore. That's when his new life begins.

When he gets to the Insane Asylum, he gets put in the Infant's Ward. That's when his life looks like it's going to take a turn for the worst. The room is crowded, he isn't cared for properly by the nurses, and he's lonely because he has no friends. But then he starts to become really good friends with Esteban, a worker at the hospital. But that friendship doesn't last long because Esteban has to leave the hospital. When Petey is eleven years old he gets moved to the Men's Ward.

While living in the Men's Ward, Petey makes friends with the mice and a nine-year-old boy named Calvin, who's mildly retarded and has severe club feet. They start to talk and do everything together. Petey also makes friends with Joe, Cassie, and Owen, three of the workers at the hospital. Unfortunately, they all had to leave the hospital too. After living at the hospital for a long time, Calvin and Petey get transferred to different nursing homes.

Meanwhile, in another part of the story, Trevor Lodd has just moved to Bozeman Montana because his parents want to get better jobs, and he doesn't think it's fair at all. It doesn't get any better when he's walking home from school one day, and sees three neighborhood bullies throwing snowballs at Petey who now lives at the Bozeman Nursing Home. After Trevor chases them off, he starts to become really good friends with Petey. He's determined to make Petey's life better by getting him a new wheelchair because the one he uses is old and is falling apart, and by finding Petey's old friend Calvin. Will he be able to find Calvin? Will he get him a new wheelchair? Will they still be friends?

I liked this book because it reminded me that even though I have cerebral palsy myself and can't do some of the things that normal people can do, I can still make a lot of friends, have a happy, normal, and productive life, and do a lot of other things by myself. How would you have felt if you were Petey or one of his friends? If you like to read books about amazing people who have disabilities, then read Petey and find out what happens to Petey and his friends!

--- AshleyH88

A Touching Story of Petey's Life
After beginning the astonishing novel "Petey," Written by Ben Mikaelsen It is 280 pages. I couldn't put the book down. This book takes place in 1922. Petey has cerebral Palsy. Petey was misdiagnosed for being an idiot. At the age of two, his parents Sara and Roy Corbin had to give him up because they could no longer support Petey, Billy and Cathy at the same time. So they decided to give Petey up to Warm Springs Insane Asylum.

"Petey" is about a man that spends all of his life growing up in a mental institution and in a nursing home. Doctor misdiagnosed him at birth as being an idiot, but has Cerebral Palsy. When Petey was moved to the men's ward he meets his best friend Calvin Anderson. Calvin and Petey did everything together. They watched movies; play outside even though they were in wheelchairs. They even play with fake gun given to them by Owens. Calvin taught Petey how to talk. After that Petey called Calvin "Ieeekk." After Calvin moved to a different nursing home, Petey moved to a different nursing home. Petey meet a woman named Sally.

Petey loved to go sit out on the lawn and enjoy the weather. One day some school bullies named Kenny, Bud, and String. They hid behind a pine tree and started to throw some snowballs at Petey. On the way home Trevor Ladd noticed the bullies throwing the snowballs at Petey. So therefore Trevor protected him and yelled for help. Then Sally came out and said "Get away form Petey" because she thought he was attacking him. When Sally asked Petey if he was the one hurting him, In Petey language he said "oooo, oooo." (Meant no) So after that Sally what'd Trevor to come back to visit him. Trevor comes back even though he did not want to.

After all of this Petey befriends Trevor. And they become best friends. Trevor takes Petey on walks, Petey wheelchair becomes very old and it is falling apart on the walks. Trevor gets the idea of getting a wheelchair for Petey. So he makes a few calls to some people and he finds out how much a wheelchair costs. So he contacts the newspaper and sees if they could make an article about Petey. And at the same time Trevor was trying to find Petey old friend Calvin. He talk to Owens (One if the people that took care of Petey and Calvin) about Calvin and Trevor make some more phone calls to see if he could locate Calvin Anderson. Trevor eventually finds out were Calvin was located. A little while after this Trevor gets enough money for the wheelchair. Calvin was located only a few hundred miles away. After he found out were Calvin was he arranged for Calvin to come and see Petey. But when Calvin got there and the day was though they found out that there was no place for Calvin to stay. So Trevor says that he could stay at his house. When they got to his house his parents said "he not staying with us" But of course Trevor didn't listen to what his parents said.

After Calvin, went back to his nursing home. Petey became ill and was not getting better. He had a fever, the chills. So Trevor gave Sally his number and said "if he gets any worse call me" So one night he gets a call from Sally say that he should get down to the nursing home as soon as possible. Trevor rides his bike down there as fast as he could. His parents see that he was leaving and so they followed him to the nursing home. They see how much Trevor loves him. But before Petey dies Trevor asked Petey if he would be his grandfather since he had no grandpa. Of course, Petey said yes. Then Petey dies.

Personally I loved this book because it had a different view of life. It was set to Petey's point of view. Most of everything was just happy because Petey was always happy even though everything bad was happening to him. That was a powerful thing to me because I can think negative things when bad things are happening to me but it taught me to always think passive! That is what I think what the author what'd me to learn for the book and that we should no jug a person of there look because Petey was truly deformed.

Overall this book is a very emotionally journey of what Petey had to go though in his life. And all the things that he went though and the friends he had lost. So he was very happy that Trevor decides to come back and became friends. ... Read more

Book Description

Babies and toddlers with Down syndrome, like all young children, want to discover their world and take on new experiences.I CAN, CAN YOU? is a delightful board book full of babies and toddlers with Down syndrome going about the business of their lives.Presented in crisp, uncluttered, full-color photographs, these children swim, take a bottle, share, eat spaghetti, laugh, play in the park, and more…looking adorable while doing it!

I CAN, CAN YOU? is the perfect book for parents and children to enjoy together.As your child sits on your lap and you read to him, he'll see other children with Down syndrome modelling some things he can do and some which he will soon do.Reinforce your child's abilities ("Look at the baby holding her own bottle.You can do that!") and encourage the possibilities ("Do you see the baby taking off his socks?Can you pull off your socks?I'm sure you can!").What's more, as your read to your child and as he plays with the book and turns the pages, he will gain important pre-reading skills.

This wonderful book will be reassuring to families with a new baby with Down syndrome and makes a great gift.Daycare centers, hospitals, infant-toddler programs, libraries, pediatric practices, and support groups will want to have I CAN, CAN YOU? available for the families they serve. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a warm, fun-filled fantasy story for children with a difference: the hero is Ben, a boy with Asperger Syndrome. When Ben and his friend Andy find an old bottle in the school yard, they little realize the surprises about to be unleashed in their lives. Bound up with this exciting mystery is the story of how Ben is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and how he and his family deal with the problems and joys that come along. Blue Bottle Mystery is a delight to read that is more than just another kid's book. For the first time, the issues and frustrations that a child may have with Asperger Syndrome are explored within a fictional format especially for children. Its portrayal of Ben as the central character offers other children with autistic spectrum disorders and their peers a positive role model. It is a valuable teaching tool that demystifies children with Asperger Syndrome, justifying their individuality as valid and interesting. In Blue Bottle Mystery Kathy Hoopmann has combined her love of children with her passion for fantasy literature to produce a delightful read for anyone who loves an adventure and wants a unique insight into the mind of an Asperger child. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

This book was the ice breaker for disclosing diagnosis of AS
It's been over a year since my son and I read this book together, but I am still so happy that I discovered it. I was never quite sure when or how to talk to my son about his diagnosis, but knew that the time was getting close(he was 10 yrs old). After reading this book, which had enough literal and amusing examples that my AS son enjoyed and we both laughed about, my son's only comment was, "I think I'm alot like that kid in the book, except I have friends." I smiled and closed the book. Over the next few days, my son kept referring to the boy in the book, and then point blank one day asked me if he too had Asperger's Syndrome. It was for us a really unexpected and nice way to teach him more about himself and actually using the AS term (as we'd done alot of teaching without using AS in previous years).
I'm here now to buy the sequel! I would recommend this book to children, parents, teachers, and professionals. Each child is different, so I'd recommend that parents read it first and try to imagine how their child would like it (and not just how they felt when reading it).

Blue Bottle Mystery:An Asperger's Adventure
We were disappointed, my husband and I both read the book but do not think it would be a good book for our 11 year old (recently diagnosised) with Aspergers Syndrome. It might be a good book to read if you don't have Aspergers and want to understand how an "Aspie" thinks and feels. We don't want him to think he did something wrong because his life doesn't turnout "peachy keen" like the character "Ben's" does. Perhaps we're too protective but it was way too much fantasy and we didn't want our son to end up disappointed. I would recommend the book for introducing Asperger's to classmates of an Aspie.

It really rocks!
It really was a good book about an Asperger's adventure and a boy with AS. I'm a 9 yo boy who just got diagnosised with AS, and it was fun to read about a boy with Aspergers.

"Can we get the sequel, Mom?"
We finished this book tonight, and my 8-year-old son with Asperger's immediately asked me if we could get the sequel. You bet!

Wish the publisher would do a U.S. version, since some of the Aussie slang is a little hard for an American kid to understand. And my son would've liked a more thorough solution to the "mystery". But all-in-all, a very nice book.

WISHES REALLY DO COME TRUE SOMETIMES
Ben, a boy with an undiagnosed condition of Asperger's Syndrome endures yet another frustrating school day of teacher complaints and failure to turn in his work turns to his friend Andy. Shunned by most children because of his propensity for non sequitors and his heightened sensory modes (e.g. strong aversion for loud noises and certain smells and tastes), Ben launches on what becomes a wonderous adventure. Other boys join in Ben and Andy's digging quest and when they unearth a mysterious blue bottle, each imagines the bottle is inhabited by a genie. Each boy makes a wish individual to his needs and let's just say the results will make you smile.

Ben is a delightful character and his description of the ongoing challenges he has with Asperger's Syndrome is a welcome voice for many. Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is a neurological condition that is on the same spectrum as autism. Ben's undefined differences that impede social development were due to AS; Ben gives excellent descriptions of AS and the challenges and yet, the bonuses it has to offer.

This is a must read for everyone. Hats off to this book! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Outstanding, stereotype-shattering book!
A matter-of-fact book with lots of photographs about a male pre-school teacher who gets around in a wheelchair. Understated, highly engaging non-fiction. ... Read more

Book Description

For the millions who care about Timothy and young Phillip -- for all those who want to know more of Timothy's life before his fateful meeting with young Phillip and what happened to Phillip after he was rescued from the tiny island...

Two young men. Two dreams. Their lives intersect on a tiny cay for three months, when one is over seventy and the other is only eleven. One of them died there. The other was forever changed by his encounter with the first.

Book Description

Lauretta's mother takes her to buy a new wheelchair, but Lauretta isn't satisfied with a regular 5-speed or 10-speed model. No, she insists on the 92-speed, silver and gold, dirt bike wheelchair! When she gets a speeding ticket during a one-day tryout, her parents insist that the wheelchair be returned to the store...until Lauretta's older brother has an accident and only one person can whisk him to the hospital on time--Lauretta, in her amazing wheelchair! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Not for Younger Children
I ordered this book to start teaching my two year old daughter sign language, as a way to communicate better. It would be great for older children, and definitley not for beginners, but I didn't like it for me. I felt it was too breif in each section, I wanted more specifics. I felt like the colors and photos of the children doing the signs was distracting and confusing. I would like it more straight forward and to the point.

Great Book!
I home school my children and picked this book up at the library. My 8yo picked it up as soon as we got home and hasn't stopped learning new words. It's a great book that any child could learn from as well as adults. It's so good I've decided to buy it to add to our collection.

What a great resource!
My preschooler is learning signs at school. I bought this book so that we could learn some at home too! She LOVES to look at the book. She has learned many new signs - she even taught her class the sign for "snow." Her teacher has even asked to borrow the book.

The pictures of people doing the signs are very easy to understand and replicate. This is a great resource for starting to learn sign language!

Excellent
My ten year old loves this book. She and her friends have learned how to communicate with a deaf neighbor. It is lively and colorful with pictures of real children of different backgrounds instead of dull illustrations. I would recommend it for adults as well, because it has basic phrases and words that anyone interested in sign would need to know. An excellent resource for parents, kids, and teachers.

You Can Learn Sign Language
An excellent book for children to learn the basics plus many more. One of the few books with more than the alphabet I've seen. This book includes many words used in everyday conversation and also teaches simple phrases such as "nice to meet you" and "where do you live." The photographs that show how to form letters and words are of actual children of multicultral backgrounds. It's a great resource - - and fun for children and adults alike. ... Read more