Disabilities Books

This is an amazing book..extremely thought-provoking. As a parent to a child with Down syndrome and a Christian, it was wonderful to be able to read such a comprehensive take on the subject. One warning to potential readers, the book is very scholarly and academic. I have to admit I didn't always necessarily understand everything being said as the language is much more geared toward theologians, but certainly the gist of the book was clear and I constantly found myself inspired to think of certain aspects of Christianity as it relates to those with disabilities in a different way. Not a quick read, but well worth the time invested.

i am filled with gratitude nearly each time i read another section of this book. i'm thankful that mr. yong has taken on such a work and really don't have words for how this book will help me as a parent and as a follower of jesus.

All the main characters (except Gwen), as well as some characters with smaller roles, return for this third book in the series. Even Shelia, who we met in the first book plays a part in this story. Things Not Seen was Bobby's story, Things Hoped for was Gwen's story and Things That Are is Alicia's story.

Alicia, who played a significant role in the first book and brief role in the second, is the voice for this third "things" book. Alicia, who became blind several years before she met Bobby, has been a favorite character in this series. Readers are finally able to experience how Alicia "sees" the world around her. I like that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is mentioned.

Things That Are, like Things Not Seen, is set in Chicago and picks up where Things Hoped For left off. Bobby is just returning from his New York auditions and Alicia is a little worried about all the time he spent with Gwen and how it will affect their relationship. Some of the reoccurring words which become themes in this book include: We, Us, Reality, Are, See and Lies.

A few surprises involving invisibility are contained in the pages of this book (that's all I'm going to write). Also a few things were a bit hard to believe. Suddenly Alicia has a German shepherd named Gertie who supposedly she's had for six months. I don't remember reading anything about it in Things Hoped For, but perhaps I overlooked it or maybe it just wasn't mentioned since Alicia's role was so small in that book. I won't mention my other two things that were hard to believe, because it would give too much away (but they have something to do with invisibility). While I am going to openly admit that this is my least favorite book of the three, I still loved it and hope that I don't have to wait 2 years for the next installment.

A few of my favorite short quotes:

"No matter how surreal things get, I'm still me. I know that. Who I am and what I am does not change, does not disappear, does not fade away."

"...no one wants to be alone. Including William. And even Shelia. Because alone is not the same as free."

"...sooner or later, reality does occur, and when it does, all the lies show up. Like blood on snow."

A new book by Andrew Clements is a book which won't remain long unopened in my house, and this one I snapped up in one short afternoon. THINGS THAT ARE is Clements's third book in his YA series (after Things Not Seen and Things Hoped For) and reintroduces us to a world inhabited by invisible people. It's certainly a cool sci-fi concept, but this series is made even more captivating by the author's sensitive portrayal of his lead characters. Andrew Clements, a school teacher for many years, is mainly a writer of stories targeted for middle grade children, and he's quite wonderful at it. The THINGS... series is his stab at reaching a teen audience and, naturally, he emphatically succeeds. The caveat to all this, of course, is that his readership actually spans from those in childhood to those like me, who are this much closer to dotage. Pretty much anyone, however old, is susceptible to being ensnared by Andrew Clements' warm and perceptive brand of storytelling.

THINGS THAT ARE focuses squarely on Alicia Van Dorn, the teenaged blind girl so memorably featured in THINGS NOT SEEN, the first book in the series. In that book, Alicia proved to be as important a character as the main protagonist, Bobby Phillips. Her heartfelt letter to Bobby at the end of THINGS NOT SEEN is one of the best, most moving parts of that book. THINGS THAT ARE tracks two days in the lives of Alicia and Bobby. It begins shortly after the events in THINGS HOPED FOR, as Alicia awaits Bobby's return from his college auditions in New York (Bobby's a musician).

Firstly, I admit to Alicia being my favorite character in this bunch of books. I admire her courage and fierce independence, and how she always strives to live life as fully as she can, despite her blindness. THINGS THAT ARE probes her feelings for Bobby and the first brief chapter opens with her determining to talk out their relationship with him, once he arrives. But the mushy stuff is rapidly put on the backburner as William, the invisible fugitive from THINGS HOPED FOR, shows up and has a disturbing conversation with Alicia. Not too long after, Alicia and her parents are visited at home by FBI agents. Then there are Alicia and Bobby's fathers, who are up to their necks in covert lab experiments...

At 167 pages, this is yet another excellent read by a guy who knows how to write. Again, the characters come to life. With Alicia narrating in first person, we get to know her even better. Andrew Clements goes into good detail about how Alicia copes with her blindness, the constant battle she wages to remain positive and keep pressing on. She receives invaluable help from her sweet-natured guide dog Gertie. It's awesome, as well, to see Bobby, who again displays his resourcefulness and talent for mimicry. There's not too much that's off-kilter with this book, but I guess if there were something which nagged at me, it's that Alicia's poetry and Bobby's music aren't much in evidence here. This is a bit disappointing because poetry and music are so much an integral part of Alicia and Bobby's respective makeups. There's also a deus ex machina element which enters the picture later in the book. It didn't put me off, but it did make me think: "That's a bit of a lucky thing there."

One of the things I enjoy about Clements' writing is that he takes these unexpected paths. One character from THINGS HOPED FOR does a 180 in terms of how that character's perceived. Trust is a big theme in THINGS THAT ARE, and how this book ends hinges largely on a crucial decision which Alicia makes, a decision which if left to Bobby would have marked a different resolution to the story. THINGS THAT ARE isn't much in the action-adventure department, so readers expecting bang-out suspense will be disappointed. This isn't that kind of a book. Oh, there's an aura of peril and tension here, and several anxious moments. But Clements doesn't much invest in epic storytelling. What he excels in is breathing life into those little moments, which then become signature moments. Which is why you grow to care so much for his characters.

I get the feeling that this isn't the last entry in the series, not with how some things are left unresolved (mainly the FBI subplot). This is fine with me. I can't wait for the next one. I think it's being titled THINGS THAT ARE TAKING WAY TOO LONG FOR ANDREW CLEMENTS TO WRITE. But that could be my impatience talking.

Both my two boys loved this adventure book. Lots of fun, good for both genders, I would say and maybe most suitable for ages 7 to 11. A good storytime for the little ones though who might find the reading a bit more difficult. Highly recommended. A++

Fantastic read. Pulled me in from the very first page. Vivid descriptions of tudor England, and a really fast-paced, gripping story-line. Funny and scary. Good for under-12s.

In the late 1980's I regularly played Scrabble with the author and two other friends. We used Kathie's Braille imprinted Scrabble tiles and protected our snacks from her guide dog, Sugar's, sneak attacks. Most importantly, Kathie showed us, her sighted friends, what it was like to be blind and what, if any, help she needed.

This book, which was in its embryonic stages then, is the distillation of Kathie's experiences of living with blindness. Her wonderful sense of humor and knack for seeing (yes, seeing) the underlying reality of others' reactions to disabilities is enlightening for all of us. This book is a must read.

Respected psychologist Katherine Schneider, Senior Psychologist Emerita of the University of Wisconsin Counseling Service, who happens to be blind, has quite a story to tell. Make that stories. She offers us her arm and leads us behind the scenes through one revealing episode after another. This book should be in the curriculum of every university that educates psychotherapists and in the library of everyone interested in the human experience. Don't cheat yourself of the fascinating experience of reading this book.

Words occupy an ambiguous status in life. They are never quite congruous, that is they can be accurate but never quite adequate and words dilute the intensity of the immediate experience. Cathy has, however, somehow put into words the journey of her spirit and has deciphered what my spirit has experienced in her book Transcending Illusions. This book integrates challenges into Cathy's daily life. She juggles a hectic schedule as a wife, a loving mother of two health-challenged children, having a full time career as a school teacher, keeping a home for her family and running errands and working snack shack shifts as a baseball mom. Cathy expands the limitations of voicing an experience into one of explicating living an experience. This wonderful lady has faith and opinions which are liberties for everyone to express, but she has become articulate through her tenacity and the very richness of her spirit. This book is a power-pack of emotions. Strap in, you are in for quite a ride.

This young Lady has done some real soul searching and done a lot of growth in a few short years. Very commendable to share that wisdom with others. A very good book for those in like circumstances to help them deal with letting go of their feelings of (no control) of their lives. Don G.

Superb text book. Excellent for preservice teacher education as well has a helpful handbook for practitioners. This book provides a comprehensive cover of transition services. I highly recommend this book.

Dr. Miller is a nationally known expert in the area of transition and special education. With this book he once again sets the standard. It is informative, innovative, easy to read, and very relevant. I would highly recommend this book as a resource for high school special education teachers and principals as well as a text for undergraduate and graduate course work.

I really liked this book because of the twists in the plot. It's not a fairy tale where everyone lives happily ever after. This is fiction, but it could happen. It also shows that one's mistakes can ruin their life. I don't want to go into too much detail because you should read it for yourself.

This wonderful author is really in tune with his teen audience and portrays their lives as they really are. His insights come from many years as an English teacher and football coach. His marvelous book teaches teens life lessons with warmth and depth and his readers gain understanding and maturity as a result. Highly recommended!

I'm not dyslexic myself, but I work with people who are. Dr. Hayes' book was very helpful, and I'd recommend it to parents, teachers, and all other professionals who deal with LD children and adults.

This writer talks right to my son. It is just like he is standing right there. He understands the problems and he helps us understand solutions. A solution can involve humor. The writer is funny sometimes like when he lets other people experience what it is like to see words the way a LD person sees them.

Dr. Emener has successfully defined 'heroism' in presenting these vignettes of athletes who have overcome tremendous hurdles. Need a huge shot of inspiration? Then this is a 'must read'! You'll move through your everyday problems with less whining, for sure.

This book is a timely example of what a true athlete is. With what is going on in the so called "real world of sports", with players in baseball, football, basketball, golf and so on asking for and receiving more money than ever before, putting the fan completely out of reach with their ability to attend or even take part in the sport, you have Dr. Emener's book, showing us a different light. Ultimate Challenges shows us what kind of courage and dedication it takes to be an athlete, the Ultimate Athlete. It is also heart warming to know that Dr. Emener is donating the royalties of this book to the United State Olympic Committee. Just one more reason to buy this book and support these athlete's who have no real corporate sponsorship, unfortunately.

This book will truly tug at your heart. Bullough has crafted a very nice framework around several classrooms and the lives of the kids that make them up. The children have stories of physical abuse, growing up without one or both parents, surviving with little or nothing to eat, and living with and among drug users. Many of these kids have had to grow up to adulthood within the span of their eight to ten years of life. The situations that many of these kids have to live in would be enough to crush anyone's spirits. Yet many of them have soaring attitudes and the perseverance to see themselves through -- beacons of hope in the gloom.
Well-written, heart-rending and uplifting at the same time, and definitely worth reading.

Have you ever read a book you wanted your friends to have already read so you could talk about it with them? This is one of those books. As teacher and teacher educator, I found in the lives of these children echoes of the lives of children and teachers I have taught. Robert Bullough's layered analysis gives entry into the worlds of these children without being titilating or depressing. His analysis articulates the issues of poverty, father absence, drug abuse that teachers deal with. In this way, he connects these stories,34 children's stories, to the larger issues confronting schools and society. More importantly I valued his respectful tone--his book communicates hope and respect for teachers, parents and most importantly these wonderful children whose lives are uncertain. His analysis helps each of us see ways we might make a difference in the uncertain lives of child in our own communities and shools.