"Somebody Else's Kids" by Torey Hayden

I liked Somebody Else's Kids by Torey Hayden because it was pretty amusing but yet sad too when you realize that this isn't fiction. Claude was a pregnant 12 yr. old who ended up giving her baby up for adoption and becoming valedictorian of her class. Lori had some brain damage so couldn’t read but a warm heart. Boo was autistic and would take of his clothes and flap around. Tomaso was violent because was angry his dad died and had to be in foster homes but was intelligent. Acted tough but showed concern for other kids, especially Lori. Lori got stuffed bear for Tomaso for his birthday and he tore it up but then had Torey sew it back up. This is a touching book.
(Karen's review 10/05)

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"One Child" and "The Tiger's Child" by Torey Hayden

One Child by Torey Hayden is very interesting, but also very sad.  It is about Shelia, a bright 6-year-old girl who tied up a 4-year-old and set him on fire and was put in Torey’s “crazy kid” class until a space opened up in the State mental hospital for her. She had a high IQ, was a bed wetter, had an abusive, alcoholic father and was abandoned on a freeway by her mother who kept her younger brother. She was quite a terror, but Tory “tamed” her and became very attached to her. She was cut bad by her uncle who raped her and was in the hospital for a month. She was able to enter regular classes again. Very good book, but left you wondering what happened to Sheila. (The Tiger’s Child is the sequel)

The Tiger’s Child by Torey Hayden

(Sequel to One Child)

Very good about Shelia as a teenager and how she had blocked a lot of her childhood out. Her memories came back the more she talked with Torey. Became a manager of McDonalds which disappointed Torey. Mixed up Torey with her mom who abandoned her at one point. Also worked with Torey with some disturbed kids which was good for awhile.
(Karen's review 10/05)

Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"Twilight Children: Voices No One Heard Until a Therapist Listened" by Torey Hayden

Twilight Children by Torey Hayden is one of best books Gerard ever read. Very good! Really interesting how she was able to help multiple personality Cassandra who was a real terror.

A child psychiatrist helped Cassandra (7 yr. old) who was abducted by her father for two years and was sexually abused. She developed multiple personalities but did get better eventually. Also about a 4 yr. old, Drake and Friend (his stuffed tiger) who couldn’t talk but who was thought to have selective mutism. Mother was only one who knew the truth until she confided in the psychiatrist who tried to help Drake speak. 

This is quite an interesting book that both Gerard and I liked very much.  I found it very fascinating.  It is the first book we read by Torey Hayden.
(reviewed 9/05)

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"Beautiful Child" by Torey Hayden

WOW! A really GREAT BOOK! My favorite of her books. Cried at the end.

In Beautiful Child Torey Hayden shares about her challenging special ed class and how the teacher struggled throughout the year and turned it around. Venus was the most challenging of all because had very serious abuse in the home and was mostly unresponsive except when attacking other kids when they accidentally bumped her. Finally got the help she needed after the hospital treated her for hypothermia, had to amputate her toes, and found 22 broken bones that had healed or were in various stages of healing. 

It also revealed the struggle Torey had with her aide who was totally on a different page philosophically and really undermined what she was trying to do.
Some of the things teacher did that worked was behavior modification with traffic lights, singing between activities or to refocus kids when they started fighting, closed eye journey, special one-on-one time at recess with Venus —held her on her lap.
(Karen's review 9/05)

Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?