Ellen B. Senisi

Cindy yelled at Ashley on the playground and said "Don't touch me! You've got bugs- You're in the retard class!" So Cindy was taken to the principals office and he told her she should spend some time in a class for children with special needs for two weeks. Cindy didn't want to but eventually the more she learned and watched them she realized they were kids just like her they just needed help in some areas. At one part the teacher explains that one of the little boys might never really be able to speak and Cindy says that's sad but the teacher responds with but does he seem sad to you? and she says no. This shows you shouldn't feel sad for people just because they have a disability because even though their life isn't like yours doesn't mean they don't have a good life.… (meer)

Wow, I love this book! This story is so raw and the pictures taken makes me feel like I was right there with them. I work with children with autism at a rehab clinic and the things the children do in the classroom, are very similar to the routine the kids do in the clinic. When the teacher tells Cindy that Richard may or may not be able to say some words by the time he grows up, Cindy replies with, "that's sad." The teacher tells her, "But does he seem sad to you?" was spot on. So many special need kids are happy most of the time. It is the people and kids who make the kids with special needs feel low from bullying. This book needs to be in every library. A lot of students do not know about children with special needs. The teacher and helpers in this book did an amazing job with the kids. I got very emotional when Cindy told Ashley she was in the retard class. A LOT of people use that word so carelessly and it bugs me. But it is because they do not know or have not been close to someone who has a special disability. This book can open the eyes of the readers into the world of someone who has a special disability. The teacher also does a great job in explaining things to Cindy where she can understand.… (meer)