In Jesse's Shoes

by Beverly Lewis

An Important Picture Book From Beverly Lewis

What parent hasn't urged her son or daughter not to stare or tease a child who is "different" or disabled in some way?

As Jesse's sister struggle to understand her brother--and to deal with the kids who make fun of him--families everywhere will benefit from this sensitive yet realistic story about learning to understand and befriend a child with special needs.

Genres: Childrens, Disability, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."

Reviews

[Janet Leszl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice children's book to explain autism from the point of view of a sibling. Frustrated with her brother she tries to see the world from his perspective. Due to the length, I'm not sure if it will hold the attention of very young readers.

[Mandy J. Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good, but my girls (3 & 5) were still a bit too young. Give them a year or 2 and this will be a great read for them.

[Rachel Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I just don’t understand him!” Jesse’s sister shouts in frustration. “Of course you don’t. You haven’t walked in Jesse’s shoes,” Dad responds. In Jesse’s Shoes: Appreciating Kids with Special Needs by Beverly Lewis with illustrations by Laura Nikiel teaches an important lesson about empathy, kindness, and loving others (even those who are wired differently) like Jesus.

Jesse’s sister walks him to the bus stop every day, and it bugs her a lot! He gets distracted by everything- puddles, insects, plants, birds. The other kids at the bus stop point and laugh at him, and even call him “weird.” Jesse’s sister wonders why she couldn’t have a regular brother. She’s embarrassed by him and feels terrible for being just as bad as the kids at the bus stop. “I’m sorry God. You love Jesse just the way he is, and I should, too.”

Jesse takes the statement, “walking in someone else’s shoes” literally, and makes his sister wear his “scuffed-up, too-big shoes.” But as she walks in his shoes, taking the time to gaze at the clouds, listen to the buzzing insects, and pet the prickly grass, she realizes how amazing God made her brother. Different isn’t bad.

This book is so realistic, heartfelt, and beautiful. Jesse’s sister struggles with having a brother that is “different,” and “weird.” She’s honest about wishing her brother behaved differently, and she’s even embarrassed to be seen with him. But by walking in his shoes for a day, and seeing the world through Jesse’s eyes, she learns she’s the one who has a lot of growing to do if she wants to fit in Jesse’s shoes.

You don’t learn Jesse’s sisters name until the end of the story. Jesse was never able to say it before. And then one day he surprises her and calls her Allie. Allie finally sees how special God made her brother. “Maybe it’s a good idea to walk in someone else’s shoes, because I’ve never forgotten that day. And I hope I never will.”

[Deja Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for my text set for Dr. Williams since my topic is the same. Author Beverly Lewis-herself the adoptive mother of children with disabilities created a sensitive, realistic story that you can share with young children to help them understand that a physical or mental "disability," while making someone different, doesn't mean they are unworthy of friendship and respect. As we have discussed in class, many people avoid what they don't understand, and in this book Jesse is isolated and judged by those who have not been educated on disabilities. This book is narrated by Jesse's sister, Allie, and she is responsible for watching out for him both at home and school. Over time, Allie becomes tired of having to be Jesse's guardian and babysitter. She complains to her father, who suggests that Allie try to see the world from Jesse's point of view, that she figuratively walk a mile in his shoes. Jesse brings Allie a pair of his shoes and walks with her so she can get an understanding of what he has to go through. I loved how this story brings a great appreciation for what God creates and also for your loved ones. In this story, the negative isn't something that is focused on, but it is shifted towards getting the chance to see how a person with a disability sees, hears, feels, and loves things. I would recommend this book to anyone because of the beautiful, detailed pictures, simple words, and a positive take on disabilities. I also love how this book takes on the perspectives of someone with a disability and someone who doesn't because it allows you to see how little of a difference we all have. Instead of scolding or lecturing a child who doesn't understand a child with a disability, this book explains through a realistic, truthful view.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie is embarrassed that her older brother Jesse isn't a regular brother like all her friends' siblings. Jesse needs his sister to walk him to the bus stop each morning, and it's a chore because Jesse is easily distracted by everything around him. Allie knows that the others laugh at Jesse and make fun of him. She's tired of sticking up for Jesse and also tired of being embarrassed by him. Her dad suggests that she try to understand what it is like to walk in Jesse's shoes - and Jesse takes this direction literally, with some surprising results for both siblings.

In Jesse's Shoes is a wonderful book about learning to accept those who are different from us. Jesse is autistic, but kids will be able to apply this to other children (and adults) with special needs as well. My own seven- and nine-year-old children have an autistic friend, and wanted to share this book with their classes at school. Kids have an amazing capacity for empathy and understanding, but they have to be taught how to handle the situations before they have a chance to demonstrate it. Beverly Lewis has written a book filled with love, to which children will respond positively.

[Elin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this book for my daughter, who has a special love for all kids. She has a boy she takes care of in nursery that she loves extra much and this book reminded me of how she really “gets in his shoes” and just loves on him exactly how he is.

[Kary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will definitely be reading this before our Able Athletes' Day next year!

[CH13_PreciousAllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In Jesse’s Shoes” is a great book to read to students. This is a book about a child named Jesse that has special needs and he’s constantly getting stares from other children. The book not only teaches children not to stare and to be acceptable to children with special needs but; it also teaches parents how they can teach their child to be respectful of children with special needs.

I have a brother that has special needs and it breaks my heart to see kids stare at him as if he is inhuman. I wish that I could get people to see that he is no different than they are. Having a sibling with special needs definitely affects the whole family because we try to find resources to help him and we have questions that just can’t seem to be answered. Long story short, we just want him to be accepted and we want him to develop confidence and a sense of pride.

In Jesse’s Shoes is a religious books therefore I don’t know if it would be allowed in the public schools. Although the book doesn’t mention God, it does reference God a lot. Therefore, I would caution teachers to read the book first and to run it by administration before they read it to their students. Overall, this is a very sensitive, yet realistic, story that teaches children to understand and befriend a special needs child. It’s also Excellent for teaching children not to stare or make fun of, but to permit the special needs child to join in when able.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a boy named Jesse who has special needs. Jesse's sister doesn't understand the things that Jesse does and wishes that he would just be normal. Children are always making fun of Jesse and his sister gets embarrassed by him and tries to stay away. Jesse's sister asked her dad why Jesse can't be normal and he tells her that she needs to walk in Jesse's shoes. Jesse's sister takes her dad's advice and walks in Jesse's shoes. She realized that Jesse is just like you and I and by the end of the story she is sticking up for her brother. This is a good book on showing that you should never be mean to a child who has special needs. Love this book!

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms Lewis did a fabulous way of describing the feelings of a sibling of a special needs child. How she loves her older brother and cares for him...having to help take care of him although she is the younger one. How the neighborhood kids make fun of him and tease him. But the girl soon realizes that God wants her to understand her feelings but also to understand how her brother, Jesse feels. Having two special needs children myself and two older daughters that went through much of the same feelings that Allie has done in this book. It's very nicely written to help explain to accept special needs children.

[Davin Thompson-williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched my heart. I am happy to have read it. It give a Christian point of view. It also highlighted Allie's character development. Having a little brother with special needs I've gone through a lot of what Allie had to deal with. I've had people make fun of my brother. I've wondered why he couldn't be normal. I've spent time feeling sorry for myself when I should have been appreciating the wonderful brother I have. I won't ever fit into his shoes as his feet are smaller than mine but this book gave me hope. The doctors say my brother will never talk but I will not stop believing he will. This book means a lot to me. I want everyone to read it!

[Melissa Mcginnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter LOVES this book. It has attained the coveted place of "reading bucket" by her living room chair.

To read her full review, click here: http://lhfgladewater.blogspot.com/201...

**Note: This book was received from Bethany House for review. The opinions expressed, however, are those of the reviewer and person posting.**

[Benjamin Kelien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was good in showing how to deal with an older sibling that has a disability. I would read this to 2nd or 3rd graders. The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it kept mentioning God. For that reason this book may not be appropriate to read aloud to the classroom.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great Christian based picture book about a young girl with a special needs brother. She's sometimes embarrassed to be around him, but she learns to walk in his shoes (literally). She learns to appreciate his differences and love him the way God does.

[Gracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good book from the prospective of someone whose sibling has special needs. Jesse's sister resents Jesse for his disability, but after walking in his shoes for an afternoon she realizes that he is special and a perfect brother for her, just the way he is.