Picked this book up at the book exchange at Quest Bayside StKilda, unregistered, it never ceases to amaze me when the 'right' book turns up when needed.
This is the second book by Torey Hayden I have read, the first - Beautiful Child was a great intro to Torey's memoirs describging the different children she came across during her time as a teacher of children with special needs.

In regard to children who are 'different', sadly I have experienced more statements/notions/actions proffered in ignorance than I care to remember, therefore I found her statement on page 111 regarding ignorance to be very accurate. 'The saddest part of being human is the depth of our ignorance. In dealing with children it is so easy to believe one is omniscient.' I have met so many people in recent years who 'know it all', I now avoid opening a discussion on children with special needs.

Torey continues 'Unfortunately, it is not so (that one is omniscient). I tried hard to remember that fact as I worked with the kids. I tried to stay alert to the comforting but often meaningless lullings of theories. I tried to fill my mind not only with the ponderous offerings of textbooks and university classes but also with the day-to-day ambiguity of life. It was not easy. I kept wanting answers. Intellectually I could accept that for many of my questions there never would be answers. Emotionally I do not think I ever did.' This statement was so enlightening for me, but why is it that almost everyone 'knows' why certain children are different and know instinctively how to proceed and make things better and do not hold back in conveying their dubious knowledge?
Anyone who enjoys reading about people rising to lifes challenges will appreciate Torey's beautifully flowing, candid memoir.

It will be winging its way to Queensland shortly.

I started to read this book many time but I did not get past the first few chapters.

Left the book for someone more deserving