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A Força dos Afectos
Torey Hayden dispensa apresentações. Depois de ter publicado cinco livros em Portugal, os leitores ficaram a conhecer a professora que trabalha com casos especiais, sobretudo com crianças e que tem o dom de partilhar essa experiência através da escrita. Uma talentosa criadora e gestora de afectos, Hayden descreve dramaticamente as dificuldades e alegrias ao trabalhar com um pequeno grupo de crianças emocionalmente fragilizadas. Neste livro, porém, a protagonista é a mãe de uma criança, Ladbrook, uma senhora muito bonita, sedutora e elegante, mas com problemas com o álcool. Ela só quer ser mais uma paciente sob a guarda de Hayden que tem a seu cargo, desde o início do ano lectivo crianças com graves distúrbios emocionais. Desta vez o grupo é constituído por três crianças da Irlanda do Norte, profundamente traumatizadas pela guerra; Dirkie, um menino de onze anos que nunca vivera fora de um lar; Mariana, uma menina de oito anos muito susceptível, agressiva e sexualmente precoce, e Leslie uma menina de sete anos que não fala e não reage ao que a rodeia. Mais um livro comovente onde a força dos afectos se evidencia.
375 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
261 people are currently reading
5344 people want to read
About the author
Torey L. Hayden
42 books1,553 followersVictoria Lynn Hayden, known as Torey L. Hayden (born May 21, 1951 in Livingston, Montana) is a child psychologist, special education teacher, university lecturer and writer of non-fiction books based on her real-life experiences with teaching and counselling children with special needs.
Subjects covered in her books include autism, Tourette syndrome, sexual abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome, and elective mutism (now called selective mutism), her specialty.
Hayden attended high school in Billings, Montana and graduated in 1969. She then attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.
A little time after having written her most famous book One Child, Hayden moved to Wales in 1980 and got married to a Scot called Ken two years later. In 1985, she gave birth to her daughter Sheena. Hayden is now divorced.
She has also written three books of fiction in addition to her non-fiction books.
Subjects covered in her books include autism, Tourette syndrome, sexual abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome, and elective mutism (now called selective mutism), her specialty.
Hayden attended high school in Billings, Montana and graduated in 1969. She then attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.
A little time after having written her most famous book One Child, Hayden moved to Wales in 1980 and got married to a Scot called Ken two years later. In 1985, she gave birth to her daughter Sheena. Hayden is now divorced.
She has also written three books of fiction in addition to her non-fiction books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
November 30, 2011
This novel was very different from Hayden's others. This story centers more on her relationship with a parent who becomes an aide in the classroom. Ladbrooke, the parent/aide, has hidden demons of her own. She feeds off Torey Hayden in same fashion as the children. Ladbrooke repeats through the novel that she is "just another kid" in the classroom. I liked this novel because it demonstrates how abused/neglected children function as adults when they do not receive help. I also liked it because it offered another side of Torey Hayden. I'm use to her friendships with other teachers and children, but Ladbrooke presented another look at the bonds Hayden creates. I do not think this was Hayden's best novel, mostly because I did not fall in love with any of the characters. With that being said, I was addicted to it and cared about all the characters.
January 7, 2008
Just Another Kid is a really good memoir about a teacher who teaches kids with problems.
There's Dirkie, an eleven year old kid who spent most of his life moving from foster home to foster home, and in an institution. He gets really excited about things, and won't let them go. He has obsessions with things like long blond hair, and cats, and will NOT leave them alone, constantly asking drawing and touching his obsessions.
Leslie, a seemingly unwanted child, who lives with her mother and step-father. Her mother is Ladbrooke, a young doctor with a 'screwball name' and an alcoholic. She cheats on her husband with her co-workers, and has a temper when she is drunk. When she was a child, she was abused, and doesn't want the same for Leslie. Leslie's step father is sober, and cares about her. He is a gentle spirit, and seemingly nicer then Ladbrooke. Leslie is unresponsive, doesn't talk, and isn't toilet trained.
Mariana, a child who is strong willed, and smart about things an eight year old shouldn't be smart about. She longs for a best friend, a girl her age, and so picks Geraldine, a refugee from North Ireland who lost everything but her little sister Shemona. Torey describes her as the only one she could occasionally have a sane conversation with. Before Ladbrooke and Shamie that is.
Geraldine and Shemona are inseparable from the start. They are both sisters, and are two years apart (Geraldine is eight and Shemona is six). Geraldine does everything for Shemona, including cutting her food, zipping her up, and making sure she can do everything in her work book. Torey begins to think that Shemona is the queen, and Geraldine is her loyal subject. She begins to suspect different, when Geraldine starts to blame Shemona for the cries that she masterminds, such as stealing Mariana's strawberry scented eraser, and destroying the classroom.
Seamus (or Shamie as he is known in the classroom) is thirteen, and Geraldine and Shemona's cousin, also from battle torn North Ireland. He is there only because the war has twisted him. Shamie is the one with the least problems, and is shy, quiet, and nice. He is the one to leave the classroom for a normal class first, followed by Shemona and Mariana.
Ladbrooke, though an adult has some problems of her own, and asks Torey if she cam help in the classroom, and become an assistant teacher. At first Torey's friend Caroline thinks that Torey is crazy fr accepting Ladbrooke's offer, but as it turns out, it was a good choice, because Torey really needed an assistant teacher, and Ladbrooke needs to work on her alcohol problem.
This book is about how a teacher helps seven people become better, and helps them on their way to sanity.
There is an epilogue, in which Torey shows what happened to the people in this book. The only one not followed is Mariana, who Torey lost track of, and Geraldine, who is somewhere in North Ireland.
It just makes me happy to know that after all the hard work, all the characters got to live a happy stable life, and this memoir shows that one person really can make a difference in the world. Even if it is only a small one.
There's Dirkie, an eleven year old kid who spent most of his life moving from foster home to foster home, and in an institution. He gets really excited about things, and won't let them go. He has obsessions with things like long blond hair, and cats, and will NOT leave them alone, constantly asking drawing and touching his obsessions.
Leslie, a seemingly unwanted child, who lives with her mother and step-father. Her mother is Ladbrooke, a young doctor with a 'screwball name' and an alcoholic. She cheats on her husband with her co-workers, and has a temper when she is drunk. When she was a child, she was abused, and doesn't want the same for Leslie. Leslie's step father is sober, and cares about her. He is a gentle spirit, and seemingly nicer then Ladbrooke. Leslie is unresponsive, doesn't talk, and isn't toilet trained.
Mariana, a child who is strong willed, and smart about things an eight year old shouldn't be smart about. She longs for a best friend, a girl her age, and so picks Geraldine, a refugee from North Ireland who lost everything but her little sister Shemona. Torey describes her as the only one she could occasionally have a sane conversation with. Before Ladbrooke and Shamie that is.
Geraldine and Shemona are inseparable from the start. They are both sisters, and are two years apart (Geraldine is eight and Shemona is six). Geraldine does everything for Shemona, including cutting her food, zipping her up, and making sure she can do everything in her work book. Torey begins to think that Shemona is the queen, and Geraldine is her loyal subject. She begins to suspect different, when Geraldine starts to blame Shemona for the cries that she masterminds, such as stealing Mariana's strawberry scented eraser, and destroying the classroom.
Seamus (or Shamie as he is known in the classroom) is thirteen, and Geraldine and Shemona's cousin, also from battle torn North Ireland. He is there only because the war has twisted him. Shamie is the one with the least problems, and is shy, quiet, and nice. He is the one to leave the classroom for a normal class first, followed by Shemona and Mariana.
Ladbrooke, though an adult has some problems of her own, and asks Torey if she cam help in the classroom, and become an assistant teacher. At first Torey's friend Caroline thinks that Torey is crazy fr accepting Ladbrooke's offer, but as it turns out, it was a good choice, because Torey really needed an assistant teacher, and Ladbrooke needs to work on her alcohol problem.
This book is about how a teacher helps seven people become better, and helps them on their way to sanity.
There is an epilogue, in which Torey shows what happened to the people in this book. The only one not followed is Mariana, who Torey lost track of, and Geraldine, who is somewhere in North Ireland.
It just makes me happy to know that after all the hard work, all the characters got to live a happy stable life, and this memoir shows that one person really can make a difference in the world. Even if it is only a small one.
September 29, 2021
4.5 STARS
Special education teacher Torey Hayden’s new class starts off with three children and grows to sex when sisters and their cousin fleeing violence in Ireland join the class. Without an aide, Ladbrooke, the alcoholic mother of young Leslie volunteers to help in the classroom.
Of the four Torey Hayden books I’ve reread this week, JUST ANOTHER KID is the one which Hayden shows the most professionalism. Her instincts with the kids are usually spot on. She goes to extraordinary lengths to help Ladbrooke with her challenges. I loved and empathized with Lad, the emotional abuse she suffered as a child and from her husband, her low self esteem and failure to recognize her worth, her dogged determination to overcome obstacles real and imagined. I wanted her to thrive as much as any of the kids.
JUST ANOTHER KID shows how far we’ve come in special education and inclusion, though I think we miss the mark not judging each child for which situation is most ideal in favor of financial constraints.
Special education teacher Torey Hayden’s new class starts off with three children and grows to sex when sisters and their cousin fleeing violence in Ireland join the class. Without an aide, Ladbrooke, the alcoholic mother of young Leslie volunteers to help in the classroom.
Of the four Torey Hayden books I’ve reread this week, JUST ANOTHER KID is the one which Hayden shows the most professionalism. Her instincts with the kids are usually spot on. She goes to extraordinary lengths to help Ladbrooke with her challenges. I loved and empathized with Lad, the emotional abuse she suffered as a child and from her husband, her low self esteem and failure to recognize her worth, her dogged determination to overcome obstacles real and imagined. I wanted her to thrive as much as any of the kids.
JUST ANOTHER KID shows how far we’ve come in special education and inclusion, though I think we miss the mark not judging each child for which situation is most ideal in favor of financial constraints.
January 29, 2010
I needed a plane book so bought this for one pound in Asda. Thought it'd be an easy read. It was. Not great literature and the author is a little me, me, I'm so good but the book was totally, totally engaging. Could not put it down and despite being surrounded by demanding munchkins had pretty much finished it at the end of the flight. It details the author's work with special needs kids and with a "special" parent battling alcoholism. Absolutely fascinating and a must read. I'm gutted that the library have none of her stuff here as I want to read them all. Topic is quite close to my heart on many fronts but I think most women would be hooked as it's so raw and so emotive.
April 6, 2019
actual rating: 4.5/5 stars
I really really enjoyed this book. One of my favourite Torey Hayden's book I've read so far. I loved to follow these characters life and how Torey deals with it. It's a great book and I highly recommend it.
September 18, 2009
Another Torey Hayden special. Her books are like crack.
November 29, 2022
5 stars
I am always captivated by Torey Hayden's beautiful stories As an educator, I truly admire her compassion and patience with each of her students.
I am always captivated by Torey Hayden's beautiful stories As an educator, I truly admire her compassion and patience with each of her students.
August 23, 2009
As with Hayden's other books, her writing style is easy and engaging. I read it in one afternoon, as I was unable to disengage from the story and characters. Hayden's choice of career was definitely the right path, and her choosing to write about it was another bonus, for those of us who have found her books. I recommend all her books. You cannot help but feel for the children and parents of these sometimes lost cases. Thank goodness for teachers like Torey Hayden.
June 19, 2013
Not nearly as terrible as I fully expected it to be; quite readable actually. I'm sickened by the plethora of this type of book in recent years: Disney-eyed kid on the cover, some allusion to abuse, and invariably the word "child" or a synonym in the title. It just seems awfully exploitative making money on the back of these horrific stories. But this book forced me to examine my logic: is it not worse for authors of outright fiction to dabble in a culture for research purposes, without actually doing anyone any good? At least Hayden appears to be trying to change her charges' lives for the better. But, at the same time, how well are identities protected? I was still uncomfortable. Are these characters real people, or composites of various children she's taught over the years? She does also tend to overegg the pudding, and sometimes writes conversations like a "how-to" manual of psychology; was that really how the conversation went, Torey, or is that what you later wish you'd said? But, as I said, quite readable.
July 11, 2013
I would never imagine an alcoholic just being able to get off the stuffs like the situation given, but this is based on a true story, so I guess it's true.
I didn't like how the time line was always confusing as I couldn't help but really wonder how the fiancee never really came to visit her or have long conversations but they still nailed the marriage when she got back. Maybe I'm missing a whole tonne because I've read the readers digest version.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading the book about the situation with Lad and how it unfolded. I did like the other students as well, but I never got so attached to them except maybe Shemona. I guess I wanted to know more on what happened to all of them but a little bit of unsolved mystery can be a good inclusion for a book.
I don't actually suggest books like these to people going through hardships in life because now-a-days a lot of the hardships comes with financial insecurity on top of it. It's a good book for people who wants to read something heart warming, about growing up and overcoming hardship.
I didn't like how the time line was always confusing as I couldn't help but really wonder how the fiancee never really came to visit her or have long conversations but they still nailed the marriage when she got back. Maybe I'm missing a whole tonne because I've read the readers digest version.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading the book about the situation with Lad and how it unfolded. I did like the other students as well, but I never got so attached to them except maybe Shemona. I guess I wanted to know more on what happened to all of them but a little bit of unsolved mystery can be a good inclusion for a book.
I don't actually suggest books like these to people going through hardships in life because now-a-days a lot of the hardships comes with financial insecurity on top of it. It's a good book for people who wants to read something heart warming, about growing up and overcoming hardship.
May 8, 2015
Although an interesting read, the story focuses more on Torey's relationship with Ladbrooke than any of the children. If it had been meant to be that way, I would have certainly given it 5 stars, but since the children seem more like a background story than the main story, it isn't as good a read as I had hoped for.
August 7, 2013
One more excellently told story from inside a very special Special Education classroom filled with emotionally challenged children. This story includes an adult with very real emotional needs. Loving all the Torey Hayden books. How did I miss these all these years?! Inspiring and compelling reading.
December 31, 2014
ini adalah buku terakhir yang Torey Hayden tulis sebelum ia akhirnya menikah dan memiliki anak. isinya menceritakan tentang, seperti biasa, kelas pendidikan anak-anak berkebutuhan khusus. baru kelas yang ini, aku menemukan berbagai murid Torey yang benar-benar berbeda dari anak reguler. Ada seorang anak dengan spektrum autisme dan mungkin juga sedikit kerusakan otak yang membuat dirinya selalu 'kosong' seakan tidak hadir di dunia yang sama dengan diri kita, ada juga seorang anak perempuan dengan kematangan seksual melebihi anak-anak seusianya sehingga dapat merespons stimulus yang bagi anak-anak lain biasa, menjadi berbeda secara seksual. selain itu, aku juga membaca tentang seorang anak laki-laki yang punya gelaja skizofrenia anak sehingga tidak bisa mengontrol dirinya untuk tidak melakukan stimulasi diri yang berlebihan, seperti masturbasi di ruangan kelas. ada juga anak-anak korban perang di Irlandia Utara. mereka bersatu dalam kelas Torey dan melalui hidup selama satu tahun bersama-sama di sekolah.
di edisi Indonesia, judul buku ini diterjemahkan menjadi 'Murid Istimewa', awalnya aku kita judul merujuk pada kumpulan anak yang memang istimewa tersebut. akan tetapi, baru di tengah menuju akhir aku menyadari, yang dimaksud murid istimewa adalah seorang ibu, orang tua salah satu siswa yang memiliki masalah kecanduan alkohol dan kehidupan perkawinan yang tidak bahagia melamar menjadi asisten Torey di dalam kelas. ia pada awalnya, memang menjalankan tugasnya dengan baik sebagai asisten, namun ia juga memiliki masalah yang berbeda dan membutuhkan bantuan Torey, seakan-akan ia jadi salah satu murid Torey di kelas. ibu ini salah seorang wanita cantik dengan berbagai rumor tidak baik, mulai dari alkohol hingga hubungan cinta dengan berbagai pria. siapa sangka, dibalik gelar doktor dalam bidang fisika yang ia miliki, ia diduga memiliki kelainan otak yang disebut aphasia, sehingga sulit bagi dirinya untuk berkata-kata. ia jadi tidak banyak bicara, kesulitan untuk menyampaikan pendapatnya, sehingga lebih sering memasang topeng sebagai seseorang yang sombong dan galak.
buku ini bercerita tentang Torey dan murid-muridnya di kelas, sesi terapi informal ia dengan 'murid istimewa'nya, dan memberikanku tambahan gambaran, tentang dunia ini dan orang-orang yang berbeda di dalamnya.
di edisi Indonesia, judul buku ini diterjemahkan menjadi 'Murid Istimewa', awalnya aku kita judul merujuk pada kumpulan anak yang memang istimewa tersebut. akan tetapi, baru di tengah menuju akhir aku menyadari, yang dimaksud murid istimewa adalah seorang ibu, orang tua salah satu siswa yang memiliki masalah kecanduan alkohol dan kehidupan perkawinan yang tidak bahagia melamar menjadi asisten Torey di dalam kelas. ia pada awalnya, memang menjalankan tugasnya dengan baik sebagai asisten, namun ia juga memiliki masalah yang berbeda dan membutuhkan bantuan Torey, seakan-akan ia jadi salah satu murid Torey di kelas. ibu ini salah seorang wanita cantik dengan berbagai rumor tidak baik, mulai dari alkohol hingga hubungan cinta dengan berbagai pria. siapa sangka, dibalik gelar doktor dalam bidang fisika yang ia miliki, ia diduga memiliki kelainan otak yang disebut aphasia, sehingga sulit bagi dirinya untuk berkata-kata. ia jadi tidak banyak bicara, kesulitan untuk menyampaikan pendapatnya, sehingga lebih sering memasang topeng sebagai seseorang yang sombong dan galak.
buku ini bercerita tentang Torey dan murid-muridnya di kelas, sesi terapi informal ia dengan 'murid istimewa'nya, dan memberikanku tambahan gambaran, tentang dunia ini dan orang-orang yang berbeda di dalamnya.
May 23, 2012
This was an amazing book - true story. Torey Hayden is a psychologist who has returned to America because of a visa issue. While waiting for her visa to clear so she could go back to her cottage in Wales, and her fiance, she is asked to substitute for a special needs class. Reluctantly, she agrees. The class starts out with only 3 children, but soon adds another 3 having come from the turmoil in Ireland/England - 1970's/80s. One of the children's mother becomes a real challenge for Torey. In not knowing quite how to deal with the mom, the mother (timidly) volunteers to help Tobey in the classroom...something Torey desperately needs (help), but not sure if this mom is able to actually give the kind of help she needs. As I read the book...I realized the title is referring to the mom...not the other kids. The mom is "just another kid." Torey's wisdom and ability to deal with the issues of (all) these "kids" is amazing. How we all could wish for such insight, patience, compassion, and gentleness!
June 3, 2014
Buku ini bercerita tentang pengalaman Torey yang diminta mengajar sebuah kelas sembari menunggu Visa nya turun. Beragam hal terjadi di kelas ini, mulai dari anak yang sulit mengendalikan diri, tidak bisa fokus, Dirkie yang selalu membuat onar. Sampai pada suatu hari Torey mendapat asisten yang kemudian menjadi "murid istimewa" Torey.
Buku ini mengajarkan tentang kesabaran, manusia-manusia "luar biasa" dan cara penanganan yang luar biasa pula. Kita harus menerima mereka sebagai bagian dari kehidupan kita. Dan "menyingkirkan" mereka bukanlah cara terbaik untuk mereka melainkan dengan bimbingan yang tepat.
salute to Torey Hayden
Buku ini mengajarkan tentang kesabaran, manusia-manusia "luar biasa" dan cara penanganan yang luar biasa pula. Kita harus menerima mereka sebagai bagian dari kehidupan kita. Dan "menyingkirkan" mereka bukanlah cara terbaik untuk mereka melainkan dengan bimbingan yang tepat.
salute to Torey Hayden
June 28, 2014
Torey Haydens memoir is well written, touching and inspiring. It is a true reflection of how teachers who care touch the lives of their students and can create a ripple effect of change. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good page turner. Being able to find out more about the characters she depicted within the novel was also a very compelling. The relationship she developed with her students and with Landbrook furthered her ability to help them. Ultimately the reader discovers that Landbrook, while a parent of one of her students, is “just another kid” who needed help discovering her own disability in order to develop her voice and gain control of her life.
May 11, 2012
This book came up as a recommendation for me. I was interested when I saw "Northern Ireland" and "children suffering in the aftermath of war." The author teaches six special needs children for one year. She also "helps" the mother of one of her emotionally disturbed students overcome alcoholism. In one (school) year. Without training or any real knowledge about alcoholism. The telling of it all seemed at times self-aggrandizing and a bit flakey. While the actual, caring work is admirable, I just felt that this story is too simplistic. Not exactly my cuppa tea.
October 23, 2019
Heartbreaking at times, moving at others, frustrating, depressing, and warm, this story offers a real look into a year of a special education teacher. You see the lives of adults she cross paths and built relationships with, the children she reaches, those she merely shelters, and at the very end, much to the honest and emotional reality of teaching, those children whose stories are simply left unresolved.
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May 25, 2016#259
Read by Kris
http://readingwithkaren.blogspot.com/...
Read by Kris
http://readingwithkaren.blogspot.com/...
November 15, 2015
Dobbiamo accettare le persone per quello che sono non per quello che vorremmo fossero
September 6, 2018
This was definitely my favorite book of hers so far. Wow!
February 21, 2021
Torey L. Hayden a un don pour transmettre au lecteur sa passion pour les enfants en difficulté. Psychologue spécialisée, elle partage naturellement la vie de la petite société d'enfants qu'est sa classe spécialisée. Elle rapporte avec bienveillance les avancées de chaque enfant, parvient à le rencontrer au-delà des troubles et des traumatismes. Moments d'observations ou d'émotions , hésitations, essais et ratés pédagogique et éducatifs, moments drôles, sont racontés dans un récit clair qui tient en haleine. Il y a équilibre réussi entre le récit de vie, la vulgarisation scientifique, les charmes et les espérances de l'enfance qui fait de ce livre une réussite.
July 22, 2019
Special ed experience
I thought I had read all of Torey Hayden’s books, but somehow I missed this one. Excellent story and the book was on sale on Kindle. I strongly recommend this book!!
I thought I had read all of Torey Hayden’s books, but somehow I missed this one. Excellent story and the book was on sale on Kindle. I strongly recommend this book!!
September 11, 2017
Another fantastic book by this author. I love that it explains all the children's problems rather than focusing on one child and that it also included the adults relationship as well. I liked that the epilogue covered what had happened to the children briefly as I was curious to know
November 6, 2025
Intressant att läsa om efter att ha jobbat i anpassad grundskola. Men lite för lite fokus på huvudkaraktären och för mycket beskrivningar av alla andra karaktärer enligt mig.
March 31, 2019
Já li vários livros de Torey Hayden e apesar de serem sempre de volta do mesmo tema, que é o seu trabalho com crianças com problemas/deficiências gosto sempre de os ler. E este é possivelmente um dos meus favoritos. Nova turma, novas crianças, novos desafios. Desta vez com um adulto tb ela cheia de problemas e traumas pessoais que irá fazer com que Torey se interesse por ela e que se tornem amigas.
Gostei muito e recomendo sem dúvidas a sua leitura, principalmente para os fãs de Torey.
Gostei muito e recomendo sem dúvidas a sua leitura, principalmente para os fãs de Torey.
February 18, 2017
Mais uma vez deparamo-nos com outro ano letivo de Torey Hayden. Este ano, porém, para além das crianças na sala de aulas, Torey tem uma assistente voluntária muito inesperada que acaba por se tornar numa amiga.
Neste livro podemos ter também um vislumbre pessoal da vida de Torey. Achei interessante, embora não tenha sido dos meus favoritos definitivamente. Ainda assim, uma boa leitura.
Neste livro podemos ter também um vislumbre pessoal da vida de Torey. Achei interessante, embora não tenha sido dos meus favoritos definitivamente. Ainda assim, uma boa leitura.
September 6, 2013
Torey Hayden - Just Another Kid Victoria Lynn Hayden, known as Torey L. Hayden (born May 21, 1951 in Livingston, Montana) is a child psychologist, special education teacher, university lecturer and writer of non-fiction books based on her real-life experiences with teaching and counselling children with special needs.Subjects covered in her books include autism, Tourette syndrome, sexual abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome, and elective mutism (now called selective mutism), her specialty
Torey Hayden's book "Just Another Kid" is not just another book. Though each page turns on the mysteries of emotional disturbance, sex, alcoholism, violence and crime of all dimensions, the reader emerges from the experience convinced the world can be loving, caring, warm and orderly. The diagnostic labels on the six children in this story - elective mutism, schizophrenia, autism, mental retardation - hardly suggest the repugnance of these little people, who will not speak, who move their bowels at random, who hoot and masturbate on chair legs. Yet, we become intensely involved in how and when they will be transformed.
And if the six small boys and girls are not enough, a disordered parent arrives on the scene. She is Ladbrooke, mother of autistic Leslie, formidably elegant, seductive, bristling with beauty, but also alcoholic, promiscuous and speechlessly hostile.
The core of this story is Ladbrooke's and Torey's developing friendship, reminding us that love takes many forms. Ladbrooke wants to be "just another kid" in the class. The colloquial title signals the moral of this book: life is most fully realized while relating to and engaging others. And this remarkable teacher's memoir convinces the reader that one of the most demanding jobs in education, a task not long ago dismissed as hopeless, may be richly and creatively rewarding.
Torey didn't set out to write about Ladbrooke in JUST ANOTHER KID. She only intended to write about the children and include Ladbrooke only in her capacity as aide in the classroom. But as the book progressed, Torey was surprised to find it had become Ladbrooke's story.
Alarmed that her publishers might not like this deviation from the synopsis they'd purchased, she mailed the 250-page uncompleted manuscript in a panic to her editor over Christmas that year to find out if she should proceed. Fortunately, everyone liked the "story that wrote itself".
Torey Hayden's book "Just Another Kid" is not just another book. Though each page turns on the mysteries of emotional disturbance, sex, alcoholism, violence and crime of all dimensions, the reader emerges from the experience convinced the world can be loving, caring, warm and orderly. The diagnostic labels on the six children in this story - elective mutism, schizophrenia, autism, mental retardation - hardly suggest the repugnance of these little people, who will not speak, who move their bowels at random, who hoot and masturbate on chair legs. Yet, we become intensely involved in how and when they will be transformed.
And if the six small boys and girls are not enough, a disordered parent arrives on the scene. She is Ladbrooke, mother of autistic Leslie, formidably elegant, seductive, bristling with beauty, but also alcoholic, promiscuous and speechlessly hostile.
The core of this story is Ladbrooke's and Torey's developing friendship, reminding us that love takes many forms. Ladbrooke wants to be "just another kid" in the class. The colloquial title signals the moral of this book: life is most fully realized while relating to and engaging others. And this remarkable teacher's memoir convinces the reader that one of the most demanding jobs in education, a task not long ago dismissed as hopeless, may be richly and creatively rewarding.
Torey didn't set out to write about Ladbrooke in JUST ANOTHER KID. She only intended to write about the children and include Ladbrooke only in her capacity as aide in the classroom. But as the book progressed, Torey was surprised to find it had become Ladbrooke's story.
Alarmed that her publishers might not like this deviation from the synopsis they'd purchased, she mailed the 250-page uncompleted manuscript in a panic to her editor over Christmas that year to find out if she should proceed. Fortunately, everyone liked the "story that wrote itself".
September 28, 2011
è un libro inusuale per questa autrice. infatti narra le vicende di 6 bambini ma anche le vicenda della mamma di una di queste bambine. durante la lettura incontriamo:
Mariana, che di suo se si esclude una famiglia disastrata alle spalle e un precoce approccio sessuale è quella con meno problemi.
Dirkie ha l'ossessione per i capelli lunghi e per i gatti, e come Mariana presenta un precoce approccio sessuale.
Leslie non è autosufficiente. è autistica e ha enormi problemi sia fisici che mentali e grandi problemi famigliari.
Geraldine e Shemona sono due sorelle dell'irlanda del nord ospitate dagli zii in seguito alla morte di entrambi i genitori in seguito ad attacchi terroristici. inizialmente si presentano come due sorelle molto affiatate, Shemona non parla e Geraldine sembra fare da tramite fra lei e il mondo, ma la realtà è ben diversa.
Shamie è il cugino delle due sorelle, stessa storia tranne che non è orfano, ma ha subito minacce in irlanda ed è stato mandato in un posto sicuto (gli zii), non è molto sveglio, ma ha principalmente solo problemi di inserimento.
fino a qui i bambini ma stranamente il titolo non si riferisce a nessuno di loro. si riferisce alla mamma di Leslie. è lei che diventa la protagonista del libro. donna con grandissimi problemi irrisolti (il fratello di è suicidato, la mamma era un'alcolista), poco socievole, non riesce a stare con altre persone, non sopporta il contatto fisico, è alcolista e deve badare alla figlia autistica. il marito non è di aiuto perchè incolpa lei dei problemi della bambina. lentamente ma inesorabilmente siamo testimoni della rinascita di questa donna che riesce a mettere in piedi la sua vita grazie al sotegno dell'autrice, con cui collabora diventando volontaria per la stessa classe in cui è inserita la figlia.
non riesco a dire di più, la storia è da leggere, è una storia viva, in cui si notano le debolezze dei personaggi, nessuno è un super eroe, semplicemente l'autrice ha dalla sua parte la sua esperienza e le sue conoscenze, ma allo stesso tempo deve usare l'amore, l'affetto e l'amicizia per riuscire a far stare in equilibrio esigenze diverse e necessità diverse presenti una classe così variegata. detta così sembra una trama banale ma le sfaccettature dei personaggi, le difficoltà che incontrano e che incontra lei per entrare in comunicazione con loro sono poi la reale storia da leggere.
Mariana, che di suo se si esclude una famiglia disastrata alle spalle e un precoce approccio sessuale è quella con meno problemi.
Dirkie ha l'ossessione per i capelli lunghi e per i gatti, e come Mariana presenta un precoce approccio sessuale.
Leslie non è autosufficiente. è autistica e ha enormi problemi sia fisici che mentali e grandi problemi famigliari.
Geraldine e Shemona sono due sorelle dell'irlanda del nord ospitate dagli zii in seguito alla morte di entrambi i genitori in seguito ad attacchi terroristici. inizialmente si presentano come due sorelle molto affiatate, Shemona non parla e Geraldine sembra fare da tramite fra lei e il mondo, ma la realtà è ben diversa.
Shamie è il cugino delle due sorelle, stessa storia tranne che non è orfano, ma ha subito minacce in irlanda ed è stato mandato in un posto sicuto (gli zii), non è molto sveglio, ma ha principalmente solo problemi di inserimento.
fino a qui i bambini ma stranamente il titolo non si riferisce a nessuno di loro. si riferisce alla mamma di Leslie. è lei che diventa la protagonista del libro. donna con grandissimi problemi irrisolti (il fratello di è suicidato, la mamma era un'alcolista), poco socievole, non riesce a stare con altre persone, non sopporta il contatto fisico, è alcolista e deve badare alla figlia autistica. il marito non è di aiuto perchè incolpa lei dei problemi della bambina. lentamente ma inesorabilmente siamo testimoni della rinascita di questa donna che riesce a mettere in piedi la sua vita grazie al sotegno dell'autrice, con cui collabora diventando volontaria per la stessa classe in cui è inserita la figlia.
non riesco a dire di più, la storia è da leggere, è una storia viva, in cui si notano le debolezze dei personaggi, nessuno è un super eroe, semplicemente l'autrice ha dalla sua parte la sua esperienza e le sue conoscenze, ma allo stesso tempo deve usare l'amore, l'affetto e l'amicizia per riuscire a far stare in equilibrio esigenze diverse e necessità diverse presenti una classe così variegata. detta così sembra una trama banale ma le sfaccettature dei personaggi, le difficoltà che incontrano e che incontra lei per entrare in comunicazione con loro sono poi la reale storia da leggere.
June 10, 2016
In each of Hayden's books (or at least the ones that take place in a classroom), you're introduced to the kids, and all of them have their specific issues; throughout the book, Hayden talks about helping each one of them improve (as much as they can). But there's always one kid that the crux of the story focuses on, and so I started this book trying to identify which kid is the "just another kid" of the title. We're introduced to Leslie, a barely functioning, possibly autistic little girl, along with her parents, but Leslie's not "the kid". We're introduced to Mariana, a precocious, overly sexualized girl, and Dirkie, an autistic boy, but neither of them is "the kid"; later on, we add Geraldine and Shemona, two sisters, and their cousin, Shamie, all of whom are refugees of "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland, but none of which is "the kid". Eventually, Leslie's mother begins helping Hayden in the classroom as an aide, and we learn that she is the kid - she and Hayden begin developing... if not a friendship, then at least a work-based camaraderie and she begins revealing to Hayden some of the serious emotional issues she (and her husband and Leslie) are working through.
This is another one of the better books written by Hayden; I seem to enjoy her books that are based in classrooms better, because (in part) they don't rely so much on her hit-or-miss method of child psychology. There's a structure to a classroom that precludes just sitting around waiting for something to happen, which sometimes appears to be Hayden's style of therapy. It's also fun and interesting to see how these kids, all at different levels of maturity and development and intellect, interact with each other. I'm surprised, again, by how physical Hayden and the other adults are with the kids, picking them up by their collars or (essentially) tossing them into the "timeout" chair. These are actions a present-day teacher would probably get sued over, but then, these books are set in the 1970s and 80s.
The ending is bittersweet, with an end-of-school-year picnic and an epilogue that gives a little information about what happened to (most of) the kids. I think my sister would have really liked this one, more than most of the other Hayden books, partly because of the interaction between Hayden and Ladbrooke (Leslie's mother).
This is another one of the better books written by Hayden; I seem to enjoy her books that are based in classrooms better, because (in part) they don't rely so much on her hit-or-miss method of child psychology. There's a structure to a classroom that precludes just sitting around waiting for something to happen, which sometimes appears to be Hayden's style of therapy. It's also fun and interesting to see how these kids, all at different levels of maturity and development and intellect, interact with each other. I'm surprised, again, by how physical Hayden and the other adults are with the kids, picking them up by their collars or (essentially) tossing them into the "timeout" chair. These are actions a present-day teacher would probably get sued over, but then, these books are set in the 1970s and 80s.
The ending is bittersweet, with an end-of-school-year picnic and an epilogue that gives a little information about what happened to (most of) the kids. I think my sister would have really liked this one, more than most of the other Hayden books, partly because of the interaction between Hayden and Ladbrooke (Leslie's mother).
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