Beautiful Child: The Story Of A Child Trapped In Silence And The Teacher Who Refused To Give Up On Her - Softcover

Hayden, Torey

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060508876 ISBN 13: 9780060508876

Publisher: Avon, 2003

Synopsis

In the tradition of David Pelzer's A Child Called 'It' comes the unsettling story of a mute, almost catatonic seven–year–old and the special education teacher who tries to save her from the silence and abuse of her world.

Hayden has chronicled experiences from her long career as a special education teacher in several books, including One Child and The Tiger's Child. Successes in this difficult and often frustrating field can be few and hard won, a fact which Hayden deftly illustrates while simultaneously offering hope and joy in small victories. This time she brings to life the story of a scruffy seven–year–old, Venus, who is so unresponsive that Hayden searches for signs of deafness, brain damage or mental retardation. The author is relentless in her attempt to diagnose the cause of Venus's 'almost catatonic' state, which is punctuated by occasional violent outbursts. In this first–person narrative, Hayden also shares her own thoughts, worries and reflections on the strained relationship with a mismatched classroom aide, creating a rich tapestry of the dynamics of a group of special needs youngsters and the adults who try to help them.

About this title

Review:

“The world needs more like Torey Hayden.” (Boston Globe)

“Fresh and compelling...[Hayden] spins out the story with gusto and a storyteller’s art.” (Chicago Tribune)

“Hayden is a fine storyteller.” (Washington Post)

“A rich tapestry of a group of special needs youngsters and the adults who try to help them.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Page after page proves again the power of love and the resiliency of life.” (Los Angeles Times)

“It has been a long time since you read a book with the emotional impact of One Child.” (New York Times)

“Moving...as lively and surprising as the kids it so deftly portrays.” (O magazine)

“Torey Hayden gives one hope for the future of public schools, indeed for the future of the human race.” (Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People)

Synopsis:

A stunning and poignant account of a teacher's extraordinary efforts to break through a young student's self-imposed silence--from the internationally bestselling author of One Child. Torey Hayden had always worked with special needs children. Sometimes the challenge was easy, helping a child with ADD to function normally in a classroom, and other times the challenge was great, trying to connect with a child who has been severely abused in one form or another for much of his/her young life. BEAUTIFUL CHILD is the story of Venus, a seven-year-old girl. She refused to speak and communicated with no one. But Torey had never given up on a child and was determined to break through to Venus. And so the school year began, with Torey utilizing every technique at her disposal to connect with Venus. It would be a strenuous journey beset by seemingly insurmountable obstacles and darkened by terrible revelations--yet encouraged by sometimes small, sometimes dazzling breakthroughs--as a dedicated teacher remained committed to helping a "hopeless' girl, and patiently and lovingly leading her towards the light of a new day.

Told with compassion, sensitivity and humour, this amazing story is an inspiration to all who read it. 1. OVER ONE MILLION COPIES IN PRINT: There is a tremendous readership for Torey Hayden's books, especially in mass market. 2. A TIMELESS TALE: Issues of child welfare are constantly catching the headlines, and Torey Hayden's gripping and indepth tales of children overcoming their troubled pasts reach deep into the heart of readers of any generation. 3. A REAL STORY, WRITTEN BY A REAL HERO: Torey Hayden has worked with emotionally/mentally disturbed children for most of her adult life. This story, based on actual cases that she has dealt with, shows the healing effect of a little love, and a lot of patience and understanding.

About this edition

• Publisher: Avon
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0060508876
• ISBN 13: 9780060508876
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 400