5 comments about Real Lives: Eleven Teenagers Who Don't Go to School Tell Their Own Stories.

1. this book was the selling point my husband needed for homeschooling and my son was delighted to have a non-christian focused book about homeschooling that was reinforcing the his choice as a good one as well



2. I read this book when I was just starting my high school years as an unschooler and was considering public or private school to continue my education. The teens in this book were inspiring and to this day if I ever hear an insulting comment about my choice of education, I think of what these teens have done and how I want to be just as much as an inspiration to my younger unschooled friends. I recommend this book to ANYONE!



3. I never was one who wanted to homeschool from the start. I wanted my children to have exposure to reality. I do however believe that every child is different and as they get older it is clear that some need the socialism and others don't. y son is now in the ninth grade and we have been struggling with him not liking school since 6th grade. He was always a good student but stuggled to keep up, typical with ADD so I expected that. He was always active in sports and all other extra curricular things but when his grades got to the failing and below point that option was gone. He still wasn't motivated and just outright hated school.
   His sister (also very social) is in 7th grade and she has never had a problem with the hectic schedule that public school gives to students. She is always in something, cheerleading, drama, etc... but still keeps her grades up. My point is that they are so different as many others are. I enjoyed reading the real life stories of these teens and feel more secure that is ok to let my son walk away from public school. By no means will this be quitting, it is only opening a door to keep his interest while he continues his education from home and through correspondence.



4. The teens profiled in this books are effective living advertisements for the 'unschooling' lifestyle. I was impressed with the book, which I read after "The Teenage Liberation handbook."



5. This book is about the daily lives of 11 teenagers who are currently unschooled. Some had attended public or private schools in the past and some have been life long unschoolers.

   I found it facinating to read about what teenagers are capable of when they are not stuck in a typical school setting. It reinforced my decision to not send my own children to school.

1 comments about I'd Give My Life - A Journey by Folk Music.

1. Poor Erik died just a few weeks after this was published. Well written story of his time and place. And it comes with a "best of" CD.

5 comments about See You in a Hundred Years: Four Seasons in Forgotten America.

1. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The adventures and misadventures of Logan and his family kept me turning the pages and wishing I was not about to finish. He did a beautiful job of showing the sense of community that developed throughout the story. I lost track of the number of times I teared up. Very touching. I look forward to more from this author.



2. I became interested in this book because it was featured in my Vanderbilt alumni magazine. It made a great article, and it makes a great book. I gobbled it up in a weekend. It is fascinating to see how the author and his family adjust to life without electricity, running water, toilets and baths, air conditioning, and all of those fabulous inventions of the 20th century. Logan and Heather's lives quickly separate by gender, with Heather doing more of the inside work (cooking, cleaning, child care) and Logan doing more of the outside work (caring for livestock, tending the garden, dealing with the draft horse). I would have liked to have read more from Heather's point of view, but we get glimpses of her side of the story now and again, especially on the day they decide to switch roles. This is a wonderful book for those who enjoyed the PBS series 1900 House (or any of those iterations)and anyone who contemplates "getting back to the way things used to be."



3. It is difficult to write humor effectively, and Ward had me laughing out loud more than once. His honesty and candor were refreshing, along with his ability to poke fun at himself. I also appreciated his insight into whether they had really traded one kind of stress for only another kind.
   The only drawback was that it didn't paint a total picture of how rough life was then, and it couldn't because their experience (thankfully) didn't end in hardship or tragedy, as so many lives did back then. It would've been a lot different if the Wards would've had no alternatives and no escapes, just like people living 100 years ago didn't. But they did, so it was very different emotionally and mentally. And Ward admits that. I guess this reflects my impatience with nostalgia.



4. See You in a Hundred Years is an inspiring story about a young family ready to leave the modern world. Their frustrations, joys, and new social connections are revealed in a heartfelt way. Their journey gave me gratitude for modern conveniences taken for granted, and respect for the daily struggles of those who lived 100 years ago. This book is well-written and engaging to the last page!



5. I found this book very engaging, hard to put down. I wish that Logan gave an update about their return to the future at the end of the book. I did find one thing troubling, I have hard time believing that their son (age 2) became ill just once and never required a visit to the doctor. Also, the fact that Logan was so unsure about his wife using a car and a phone when she had a medical problem. An experiment is one thing health should be paramount!

5 comments about Madame Curie: A Biography.

1. This book should be on every Mother's list of gifts for her daughter. What a beautiful portrait of a mother by her daughter. In this age of "feminism" this should also be a must read for women in general. Madame Curie was in a class of intellectual genius by herself. She is one of the most outstanding woman scientists ever - and she was Polish!
   She is a great example as a human being, a woman, a mother, a "Polack", a scientist, a wife. Needless to say I was very impressed by the book. The thought that this was written so beautifully by this woman's daughter never left my awareness. This book certainly made this half-Polack extremely proud of his heritage.



2. This is one of the books that will remain closest to me...the kind of book I would definitely have on my own children's bookshelf. I unfortunately had to stop reading the book midway because the library wanted it back, and I was also going to be out of town. Three months later, I still felt compelled to go back to the library and finish off the remaining two or three chapters.
   
   The book is a detailed account of Marie Curie's personal and professional life. And who better to tell this story than Eve, her own daughter. The genius in Mme. Curie was a direct result of her dedication to hard work and an amazing work ethic. From a peasant Polish family, she faced many challenges and postponed her own education and worked for a wealthy family to help pay for her older sister's education. Such was Marie's spirit and selflessness - which extended to her research and her work in science.
   
   Her creation, radium, was the ultimate criminal that led to her untimely death, when she felt she still had a lot to accomplish. The lady was indeed a noble gift to the science world.



3. I say that for a biography was pretty good. There was a few boring parts that made me want to put the book. I wouldn't have read this book for pleasure. I had to read it for a physics project. I gave the book 3 stars because I did not necessary enjoy this because it was for school.



4. Madame Curie is a touching and honest biography. It tells the perserving story of Marie Curie, a native Pole who would seem out of place in France and--being a woman in a more prejudice timeframe--in the scientific community in general. Although this was the case, it did not stop her from becoming one of the most prolific and important scientists in the realm of physics and chemistry.

   Within this book is held the tale of a woman who worked almost every single minute of her life in either the laboratory, the classroom, or her own home. But she never faltered under pressure and endured inhospitable laboratory conditions (she was originally working in a shed to help discover radium, the element that created the field of radiation cancer treatment and spurred the field of nuclear science.

   As a biographer, Eve Curie remains factual in content, allowing the reader to form an unbiased opinion of her mother. She buttresses the book with personally letters to and from Marie Curie, which add a first hand account of certain aspects of her mother's life.

   A must read for anyone looking for a heartwarming story.




5. The book is a reprint of the biography written by Marie Curie's daughter, Eve Curie in 1937. It is a book which should be read by all - especially aspiring scientists. Marie Curie was the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in France, the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize and the first person to receive two Nobel prizes. The work she accomplished under the most difficult situations for a scientist is truly inspiring. When asked why she and her husband, Pierre Curie did not patent the procedure for extraction and purification of radium, something which would have made them very wealthy, she said "No, It would be contrary to the scientific spirit." How refreshing, since in today's world the first thought of scientists is patenting their discoveries.

4 comments about Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life.

1. Introducing Francis A. Schaeffer
   Francis A. Schaeffer was perhaps the most influential Christian apologist of the latter twentieth century. His fame was such that even Time magazine reported on his "mission to intellectuals" in 1960 and noted his passing in 1984. Yet few individuals today, even among evangelical Christians, know who he was. He studied the changing culture of the sixties and seventies and tried to make it understandable. But like many of the best known cultural icons of that "Age of Aquarius," only those who knew him or where influenced by his diverse ministry still remember him. It is largely they who keep his many books in print. The Swiss alpine study center (L'Abri) founded by he and his wife Edith remains a destination for individuals seeking answers to life's many troubling questions. There, or at its branches in England or the U.S.A, individuals are encouraged to challenge the relativism of our postmodern age by asking if there is such a thing as truth (i.e., truth spelled with a capital "T") or merely many truths.
   Colin Duriez's new biography, Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life, is a brief, straight forward, chronological biography particularly suited as an introduction to the man and his important intellectual contributions. It is not, as claimed by its author in the Preface, "a comprehensive biography." Those already familiar with Schaeffer will find nothing new here. It has all been said before in other books about Schaeffer and L'Abri. Those looking for a discussion and assessment of Schaeffer's ideas or methodology will be disappointed. That must be found elsewhere.
   Duriez's biography of Francis Schaeffer is a glowing tribute to a teacher by a devoted student. But saying so is not meant to diminish its value in any sense. It is well-written and a pleasure to read. For the newcomer to Francis Schaeffer, it is the best introduction available in print, well worth the price and highly recommended by this reviewer, who, like Duriez, is a great admirer of Scaeffer and former student of L'Abri.



2. This book does an excellent job of showing that Francis Schaeffer was someone that attempted - and sometimes failed - to practice what he preached. Though Schaeffer had bouts of anger, depression, and slowly began to drift towards some of his earlier fundamentalism, he also attempted to live his life valuing each individual.
   
   This book is excellent for anyone attempting to see the "man behind the message." It is valuable to understand why Schaeffer wrote what he did and, more importantly, why he became politically active later in his life. I would recommend this book to anyone wishing to understand exactly who Schaeffer was.



3. As an admirer of Francis Schaeffer, one of the saddest things I have witnessed during the last few years is the attempts by both his own son and by other detractors to impugn his integrity or, at least, to redefine him as something he was not. Reading son Frank Schaeffer's memoir, both father and mother are portrayed negatively, Francis as a reclusive, depressed, sometimes suicidal man and Edith as a perfectionist nut. Well, perhaps the title says it all --- "Crazy for God." This book by biographer Colin Duriez, Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life, should set the record straight.
   
   Colin Duriez is sympathetic toward the Schaeffers and deeply appreciative of the time he studied under Francis, yet at the same time he is engaged in writing an authentic and carefully researched biography, of telling "true Truth" (to use Schaeffer's nomenclature) about this extraordinary man. While noting Frank Schaeffer's very subjective memoir, and even quoting from it on occasion, he acknowledges that it added little to what he already knew (little, that is, that can be documented, that actually squares with reality). What he takes issue with is Frank's contention that his father kept up a "facade of conviction" in his latter years, something he says is not borne out by the evidence. And that's about all we hear of the strange memoir until near the end of the book where, in a footnote, Duriez cannot seem to restrain his feelings, noting that "he [Frank] is at times in error over fact or interpretation . . . in his unashamedly subjective and at times bizarre memoir." That's a restrained critique by a historian.
   
   But enough of what the book is not. What it is is the best biographical treatment of the man and his mission that has yet been written --- scholarly, without being pedantic or lifeless; sufficiently nuanced, without chasing every thread of the man's life and work; sympathetic, and yet not avoiding the truth about the man's weaknesses and struggles. If you want to feel what animated Francis and Edith Schaeffer, to be caught up in the emotion of what they felt, read Edith's Tapestry and L'Abri. (Set aside sufficient time for their combined 906 pages, however!) But this is the biography for most to read, as it is concise and yet comprehensive enough not to miss any important detail of their story.
   
   In eight chapters and a total of 208 pages, Duriez covers Schaeffer from birth in 1912 until death in 1984 from cancer. Along the way he speaks of his conversion, his years as a pastor, his involvement with the separatist movement and subsequent divergence from it, the L'Abri years, and the latter years of films and more political involvement. What emerges is a portrait of a man who, like any Christian, matured in faith and whose understanding of scripture and culture developed. And yet, looking at Francis Schaeffer's whole life, there no sense that he was a wholly different person in 1975 than in 1955. What comes across is his integrity and consistency. And while Duriez acknowledges Schaeffer's occasional anger or impatience, and even his depression, none of this does anything to damage his reputation. They endear him to us, demonstrating his humanity and his honesty (as these failings and struggles were acknowledged by him to those who knew him).
   
   For most who are familiar with the Schaeffers and who have, perhaps, read Tapestry and L'Abri, much of what is written here will be familiar and unsurprising. What Duriez's succinct book does, however, is provide a kind of condensation for those much longer stories. I found myself drawn back into memories of some details contained in those books that were not included here, a very helpful effect. But the book is more than a revised Tapestry. It also contains excerpts of fresh interviews with the daughters of Francis and Edith Schaeffer: Priscilla, Susan, and Debbie. Once again, there are no surprises, and yet it is helpful to hear their memories and to hear the respect they had for their parents. Then are many other interviews as well, with L'Abri workers like Os Guinness and Dick and Marti Keyes, and perhaps going back farther than any other, with Hurvey and Dorothy Woodson (who actually had a L'Abri in Italy in the late 1950s). Dorothy said that "When Mr. Schaeffer would talk to you, there was nothing else in the world that was going on. He was totally focused on you and what you were talking about. . . ." Great comment. And that's how it goes. Real insights are given into the character of the man. Much is there to emulate.
   
   I recommend Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life. If you think you already know him, this summary study of his character will sharpen your appreciation for him. If you don't know much about him, you'll meet someone you want to know better. And if all you've read is Frank Schaeffer's Crazy for God, remedy ignorance: get the "true Truth" here. (taken from www.outwalking.net)



4. I think it is safe to say that, of all theologians contemporary or ancient, few have had as profound an affect on my life as Francis Schaeffer. Though I've read little of what he wrote, though he died when I was only a young child, and though I have never heard even one of his sermons, I know that my faith has been shaped by him. He was, after all, a major influence on my parents and on so many of their friends. Shortly after their conversion, my parents went three times to various European L'Abri locations, spending upwards of a year at them. In so many ways Schaeffer shaped their fledgling faith just as they later shaped mine. I am indebted to him as I am to them. And in this I am hardly the only one. Though it has been almost twenty five years since his death, Schaeffer's impact is still felt throughout the Christian church.
   
   Despite my indebtedness, and despite his influence over me, I know so little about Francis Schaeffer. Though widely admired, it seems that few people have taken on the challenge of documenting his life (his son's recent attempt notwithstanding). It was with great interest, then, that I turned to Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life, a new biography written by Colin Duriez, who has previously written accounts of the lives of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.
   
   The publisher's description aptly summarizes the content. "From his working-class childhood in Pennsylvania, to the founding of L'Abri, his personal crisis of faith, and his latter years as a compassionate controversialist in the worldwide spotlight, all the eras of Schaeffer's life unfold within these pages. But Duriez, who studied under and interviewed Schaeffer, also takes a deeper look, revealing those distinct life phases, as well as Schaeffer's teachings and his complexities as a person, within their historical context so that contemporary readers may better understand all of who Schaeffer was--and why he still matters today." Duriez depends largely on oral history he gathered--upwards of 150,000 words of it, to describe the life of this great Christian.
   
   I find that there are at least two kinds of biographies. There are some where the reader closes the cover and feels as if he now knows a lot about the book's subject; then there is the occasional sublime biography where the reader closes the book and feels as if he truly knows the subject. While I wanted this biography to fit in the latter category, I feel that it fits instead in the former. This is not meant as a critique as much as an honest assessment. Though the book has undoubtedly increased my knowledge of Francis Schaeffer, my respect for him, and my understanding of his impact on the church, I do not feel as if I really know him, as perhaps I did with Jonathan Edwards after reading Marsden's great account of his life or with Whitefield after enjoying Dallimore's two-volume masterpiece.
   
   Yet the book stands on its own merits and it stands well. It is thorough without being burdensome and grapples well with the complexities of Francis Schaeffer, his life, and his ministry. It describes a man who had a unique gift for teaching and a deep, reverent love for his Saviour.
   
   The best and, to my knowledge, the only full-length biography of Schaeffer available today, this one is well worth the read. I do not think it will stand in history as the definitive account of Schaeffer's life, but it is still a very good account and one that will bless you as you read it. If you have been influenced by Schaeffer or if you have sought to understand his ministry, you will want to secure a copy for yourself.

5 comments about Everything About Me Is Fake-- And I'm Perfect.

1. This is an autobiographical work in which the self-absorbed author likes to refer to herself as the world's first super model. Well, Suzy Parker, Twiggy, and Jean Shrimpton may well take umbrage at that, as they were super models who preceded Ms. Dickinson. Better looking and classier, they leave this author eating their dust.
   
   This book is mildly amusing, at first, as the author cattily takes jabs at her former lovers, naming names. Let me tell you, Mick Jagger and Sly Stallone do not fare too well in this book. In general, the author talks about men in such a derogatory way that, if men were talking about women in this way, they would be called sexist.
   
   The author routinely engages in trash talk, and some of it is acerbically funny. Yet, so often is it repetitious that it begins to pall on the reader. A more shallow, vain, and self-absorbed woman than the author would be hard to find. It is no wonder that she is unable to have long-term relationships, as she seems so one-dimensional.
   
   Still, her book is a no-holds-barred look at her life and the wacky world of modeling, as well as the lengths one needs to go to stay on top of one's game. There is little enjoyment to be had from this book, and a measure of boredom will eventually seep in, as the author repetitively drones on and on about herself. The book is replete with photographs, which show the author in varying stages of her career, including before and after her breast implants.



2. This book is so good! You either love her or hate her, if you love her, read this book! I love her sarcasim, bold, blunt, funny personality. I loved the first book and I love this one as well. She is not just some obnoxious woman and if you cannot think past that thought and see her as a whole, dont read it. She is so many things and sometimes so honest people hate her for it, i guess hate her for saying all the things we think and you just cant say. If you cant think past it and enjoy her as a person, then this book is not for you. I Stayed up two nights just to read as much as I could and laughed a lot.You can gain insight into her true feelings about modeling, her life, family and so much more.



3. In only the candid, cocky, no holds barred way Janice can she reveals her own personal struggles. Yes, of course, (it's Janice Dickinson) she does take every opportunity to brag about herself too!
   
   Janice starts by telling how she was an awkward teenager and how she clawed her way to supermodeldom. Janice is very frank about how even as she was gracing the covers of "Cosmo" and "Vogue" she was still full of self-doubt. She fought that self-doubt by having plastic surgery, doing drugs and having sorrid affairs. She further tells how the image the industry sells to the average woman is totally unattainable. Unless, of course you're willing to starve yourself and undergo plastic surgery. Even then she tells how many of the photo's of even supermodels are airbrushed. She also says many times that cosmetic surgery isn't an option that everyone should persue and it seems at times she discourages it, even tho she's doing it left and right. Her reasoning from the book is that she is an extreme person, who overdoes everything in her quest for perfection.
   
   Janice also throws in some juicy personal anecdotes about her personal life. Sometimes she gives a little too much information! Among her tales are Mick Jagger, JFK Jr., Donald Trump, Jerry Hall, Sly Stallone and many more. Another plus included throughout the book, are several pages of photos from Janice's career and her personal life.
   
   Also, she tells her readers of yoga tips, beauty tips, fitness tips and nutritional advice. She offers the reader lots of straight advice on how to feel and look their best on their own terms. I liked the tips on skin care using household items in everyone's pantry. I've tried them and they certainly work.
   
   The latter chapters of the book are Janice's best. In these she shows her softer side. She writes like she knows she shouldn't be so obsessed with tring to find perfection with surgery, but she says she will continue. Still, she says to other women- don't be so hard on yourselves, that true happiness comes from within.
   
   Overall, this is a fun, fast and at times insightful read from an over-the-top lady, who isn't afraid to let it all out. Tho, as other readers stated she does overdo the four letter words, her sexual life info, and she does contradict herself by being so hard on herself and other women as well. Tho, if you like Janice- the good, the bad & the ugly- you'll probably enjoy this book.



4. Book came brand new as described & the present was a hit for the birthday girl.
   Seller highly recommended



5. This woman is a joke. No talent. I know her personally and she didn't even write this book.

5 comments about Maggie's American Dream: The Life and Times of a Black Family.

1. I read this book for a college class this past semester and was truely amazed at how well this book was written. This book is basically broken down into three parts, all equally intersesting. The first part is based in Maggies story, her life, struggles and amazing accomplishments. The second part is all about the author, James, who is also Maggies son. The story of "Maggie's American Dream" is an excellent representation of a family that went through tough times and prevailed through a combination of church, education as well as being "taught and strongly encouraged to develop the needed social skills and personal controls." Maggie raises her family during a time when it was difficult to be a black person in America. Maggie was ridiculed and pushed away from any opportunities simply because of the color of her skin. Maggie became a wonderful mother, which I feel is the most important part of this story. Her son James tells the stories of how he was raised. These are stories of a mother that attended all sporting events, assisting her children in becoming talented at several different activities ranging from playing the piano to playing sports. Maggie was always there for her family. She taught them right from wrong as well as a strong sense of that "never give up" attitude. These children continue to strive to do their best in anything they did, even during a time when they were held back from doing just that. This is an example of how a family can make it through most adversities as long as they all stick together and work towards their goals and dreams.
   
   Wonderful book Mr. Comer and thank you for opening my eyes to a great story.



2. Comer tells the story of his family by focusing on the remarkable life of his mother, Maggie Comer, whose determination helped her survive poverty and segregation in the South and discrimination in the North to raise of family of successful children. The first half of the book is told in Maggie's own words. The second half is in Comer's. An excellent example of the broader social migration of black families from the South to the North following Reconstruction.



3. I did a research study on American Dream in America during the 20s-30s decade. I've read a lot of books concerning the subject; literary works, forming the main portion of my resources. These ranged from Fitzgerald's 'Great Gatzby' to Steinbeck's 'Grapes of Wrath', from Dreiser's 'An American Tragedy' to Lewis's 'Main Street'. In addition to these quite old literary works, I collected statistical, analytical information about the particular decades, to verify what I've acquired from the novels. It was a hard study, but I managed to write a reasonably concise thesis, with the help of not the sources I listed, but with this book, 'Maggie's American Dream' instead. Why?

   Almost all of the books I've read were productions of imagination. Even Dreiser, who was inspired from a real account, did not stick to facts in his book, but altered them to create a fiction. However, 'Maggie's American Dream' is a true story. It is told from James Comer's point of view, in a very poetical fashion. The second part of the book is his mother's story, which is again expressed by James. The book also contains a nice section of pictures of the Comer family, which are quite interesting after reading about the family.

   James P. Comer had a very hard childhood, as it could be expected during the years of never-ending racism issues. Comer beautifully expresses how they managed to stand tall, and get their share in the competition of living. Mr. Comer is now working as a psychiatrist in New Haven, after having completed his doctoral work in Yale University. It is a dream that is realised, indeed.

   This book will provide you with a lot of insights about the lives of black families, American societal norms, family relations during the 20s and 30s, which you cannot find easily in any other source this clearly and truely.




4. What a wonderful book. Very easy to read with lots of short chapters so that even the busiest of us can get through it quickly. And of course Maggie and her family are so real that you find you can't put the book down...you just have to find out what happens to them all next.
   It's a great story, and worth reading from that angle alone. But all the way through this book also gives you plenty to ponder - whether you are someone with an interest in education (and doesn't that include all parents?), someone who wishes that all people had an equal opportunity to realise their potential, or someone who really wants to know what life is like for others from different backgrounds and countries. The author also inspires us to think about how we can make a difference, in some small way, wherever and whoever we are.



5. This book I have read is the best book I have ever read. It has inspired me by not being mad ever time someone gets in my face and be racis toward me. I really like this aurthor he is a very insperational writter. I would tell everbody who is going through something very hard, reconmemd this book to any and every one

5 comments about The Boy Who Loved Windows: Opening The Heart And Mind Of A Child Threatened With Autism.

1. I have a 7 year old on the autism spectrum. There was much I could relate to, especially the logistic nightmares of having a kid that needs a lot more as well as having two younger siblings. The parents in the book are extremely devoted to the floortime program and also are very fortunate to receive a lot of help from various sources. I thought the book was a good intro to the principles of floortime.
   There is one complaint I have and it is the same that would go for a book like 'let me hear your voice' (ABA): It is the 'I went through hell and cured my kid and so could you if you were just working harder at it' mentality. For one - not every kid will respond to every or any treatment. Also - a kid or person does not have to be neurotypical to be loved and loving. I hate this genre of books where the writer never matures emotionally into being able to love their kid unconditionally. All love is put into changing or 'curring' the kid. In both books are segments where the writer looks at someone elses kid with autism and feels compelled to tell the parent that they need to work harder to change that kid and that it is not okay for your kid to sit there stimming or whatever. If you can only look at a person with a disability thinking that they are not okay and your love can only come in the form of wanting to change them, then you need to do some work on yourself ! I am not saying that you should not try treatments that will help but your love and life should not depend on them becoming neurotypical. If Walker would not have been one of the kids who were able to improve dramatically the writer would have lost her marriage and probably her sanity. She gambeled her life on curing her son and she won. But most people doing the same gamble will loose because it is a gamble and at the end of the day you better have some core strength and love for your kid and family to be okay if there is no cure.
   I don't consider her a role model. For a role model read a book like 'Elijah's cup'.



2. My son is on the autism spectrum. He sees an occupational therapist and speech therapist who have been trained in the Floortime approach used in this book. He also is in a therapeutic preschool program based on Floortime principles. These therapies have helped our son tremendously and, by extension, ehanced our family life.
   
   Based on my experience, it seems that the child in this book has a sensory processing disorder, rather than autism.
   
   The author is lucky that she caught it as early as she did. Most of us don't have the luxury of therapy starting when our children are 6 months old. In my son's case, we had Early Intervention services, but the therapists were inadequate. This author had a therapist who would stay three hours at a time, twice a week -- again, most of us don't have this luxury. The author also was able to ignore her other child to focus her energies on her affected child. For most of us, this is not possible.
   
   When reading autism memoirs, I've been annoyed because Applied Behavior Analysis is presented as "the only way". I'm glad that in this memoir, Floortime is getting some attention.



3. When we were frustrated with the lack of fun during the ABA sessions, and my child had a very hard time with them, I read this book where Mrs. Stacey share her experience with a much more flexible model of therapy for her son, this model worked for my child and he started to learn.
   I am from Brazil and I was no able to find a floortime therapist. I contacted Mrs.Stacey and she OFFERED to help me guiding me WITHOUT charging a dollar!
   Then we found a therapsi but I must say not only the book is wonderful but Mrs Stacey is a wonderful woman with a big heart, taking her time to answer emails from someone she does not know and offering free help!
   I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
   Simone.



4. This book gave us hope and helped us to deal with our emotional dificulties. When we first received the diagnosis we did not know anything about autism. When we had strict ABA my son only cried after reading this book we started seeking the floortime approach and also used VBA and my child started to learn having fun. Recovery is possible. It is a hard work and we are still working as hard as we can but we have seen the light coming. The book is like if Pat were my friend giving me support and hope whenever I need it.
   Thanks, Mrs. Stacey.



5. I bought this book because it had so many favorable reviews on this website. I've read approximately 25 books written by parents who have a child with ASD. This book is, by far, the worst I've read. I frequently found myself rolling my eyes while reading it.
   
   First of all, I firmly believe the mother is out of touch with reality. I wasn't surprised when, in the middle of her story, she writes that people were trying to get her to check into the local psychiatric ward. Her inability to spend time with her son and the rest of her family was unbelievable. She "weeped" when the REACH program wouldn't provide someone to take care of her son for most of his waking hours. The program supervisors told her time and again that her son did not need services - that he wasn't autistic!
   
   Second of all, her son was sensitive, not autistic! She didn't cure him of anything! Many babies like to look at windows because they like the color contrast. Many babies dislike a lot of noise. Her son, Walker, was pointing by his first birthday. He was talking like a pro by his second birthday. He was playing with other children, laughing, pretend playing, gesturing. Anyone who knows anything about ASD knows that these traits are commonly deficient in ASD children.
   
   As a parent of a child with ASD, I was irritated by her whole story. There are so many parents out there who really DO have children with ASD and we're doing everything we can to help them, including getting services through our local and state programs. To think that this author demanded so many resources from REACH, when they could have been given to a child who really DID have ASD is very sad. I really believe the author should change the subtitle of her book and remove the word "autism". Maybe she should have written - A child threatened by SENSITIVITY.

5 comments about Take It to Your Seat Literacy Centers, Grades K-1 (Take It to Your Seat Literacy Centers).

1. I wanted something relevant that students could work on while I was working with small groups - without having to spend a lot of time on my part organizing. This works well. It was time consuming at first to set up the folders (I laminated), but now that it is done there is very little time on my part required. I teach 4th grade and plan on getting the centers for 4th - 5th next year and starting students on 3-4 at the beginning of the year and switching to 4-5 during the 2nd semester. Now I want to try the one for science and the one for geography.



2. Out of many centers books I've tried, this was by far the quickest and easiest to set up. No coloring, just laminate and cut it out. I'm ordering the math centers, too. A great product I would recommend to any teacher!



3. Definitely worth the money! All the time we spend as teachers, coloring, cutting out, and creating activities is done and bound in a book for us! All you have to do is cut the pieces out! Plus there's an assessment piece with each activity which allows you to check up on students who are working independently!



4. Literacy Centers 3-4 has wonderful independent activities that any teacher can implement during their Independent Work Time (IWT from Open Court). My students love reinforcing learned skills with fun centers.



5. I purchased 5 of these file folder books this summer. I was amazed to see how many of the skills fit into my grade level content expectations! I am very excited to introduce another option for students who need more to do. I have designed a poster so they can keep track of which folders they have already done. I plan to give them "extra" grades for folders completed.

3 comments about Straight from the Source: An Expose from the Former Editor in Chief of the Hip-Hop Bible.

1. It's was an excellent book....It just amazes me how Kim had to fight so hard to stay on top and how a dedicated mother fought for a great life for her daughter. As an ex- single mom I have put up with some crazy things at my job so I could put food on my table...I give Kim a lot of credit and look up to her....I would recommend this book to Oprah....



2. I think the book is good for anyone to read but it's mostly geared to women and not just any woman- a woman on the come up of her career. Men will see the background bashment it takes to run a magazine and the minuet beefs that can get started in the entertainment industry in a New York minute if you're not paying close attention. Women, on the other hand, will get lots more from it if they really sit down and read it. They will understand what it's like to be a woman in a male dominating industry and how lots of times if something went wrong, it would be automatically be blamed on your emotions. It will also show you how petty the entertainment industry is and why you shouldn't deal with these cornballs in the industry because one moment you're enjoying nice love sessions in your favorite telly, the next you know your dessert of choice is blowing you up on the radio. Sad but true, there is a double standards when it comes down to men, women, and sexuality.
   
   Ms. Osorio works hard to show you her personal journey during the maniacal days at the Source and under the rule of Dave Mays (wanna-be-black behind) and Benzino. I think it's a good read if you're interested in getting in the industry or was a avid reader of the Source during her tenure, 2000-2005. I give this book 8 out of 10 stars respectively because everyone knows that Kim Osorio is a legend in modern-day Hip Hop in her own right.



3. This is a great read for anyone who loves hip hop, thrives off drama and wants to know what really goes on behind the scenes in the music industry. But more importantly, it is an Erin Brokovich type story of a woman who fought against the injustices of a corrupt organization and won.