The lives of four exceptional children (Somebody Else's Kids - Torey Hayden)

Member Name: wolfey59

Product:	Somebody Else's Kids - Torey Hayden
Date:	15/09/09 (46 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Really captivating and emotional

Disadvantages: That I couldn't put it down!

Torey Hayden is a highly qualified teacher who specialises in teaching those with learning difficulties. This book is a true story which follows the lives of four children who came into her care almost by accident. The children are Boo, Lori, Tomaso and Claudia and although they all have different problems, this book tells how Torey Hayden made them come together as one.

Boo is a 7 year old who can't speak and is often in his own world. Lori is 8 and although she has a very high IQ she cannot read. It doesn't matter how much Torey tries to teach her to read she just can't learn. Tomaso is Spanish and has a fiery temper, although he too is very clever when he wants to be. And then there is Claudia, who doesn't have any problems apart from the fact that she is pregnant.

The time frame of the book spans one academic year and gives equal time to each child, describing their problems, giving examples of what goes wrong and tells how Torey tries to help each one. At the time, the education laws were changing and the mainstreaming law had come into force. This meant that there was a set curriculum for everyone to follow, no matter what their problems were, which creates major challenges for Torey and she doesn't always agree with the new laws.

This book is very well written and really draws the reader in. You can tell the Torey loves her job and it really does get quite emotional at times. There are also some parts which are really shocking. All the children have been affected in some way to make them behave like this and sometimes it can be quite upsetting finding out about their past.

Torey also involves the parents of all of her children, apart from Tomasos. She only spends a few hours a day with the children and needs to know from the parents what they are like at home and also needs them to co operate in order to make their children better. Boo and Lori's parents are quite willing to help, but Claudia's parents refuse to acknowledge the problems and are quite short sighted. The reader gets a real sense of frustration when Torey tries to make them see things her way but they just don't want to.

There are also battles with other teachers as well that Torey has to face. Lori was in a regular class but because of her learning difficulties she visits Toreys class for a few hours each day. There is a constant battle between Lori's regular teacher as she also refuses to see that there is anything wrong with Lori and insists that she is just being stubborn.

Although it covers just a year of their life it was really quite eventful. Towards to end of the book they start making plans for the next academic year and although things don't work out right for all the children it does finish with the reader knowing what happens to them all.

I really enjoyed this book and it has been a while since I have read something quite as good as this. I actually couldn't put it down and managed to read it in only a few days. It is definitely recommended but you do have to be aware that there are some parts that some might find slightly disturbing.

Summary: Some parts may be upsetting, but is well worth reading