From: MalibuInc at aol.com <MalibuInc>
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2001 19:21:42 EST

As both a former student of Jack Gantos, and also having been a child with perceptual impairments and HLD. (Hyperkinetic Learning Disability) I applaud Jack Gantos for both his success with these books, and trying to bring an often misunderstood subject to greater awareness.

I don't think it is up to the writer to create tolerance among children for these students. It is first the writer's job to create an engaging story. Tolerance should be taught by teachers and parents. This can only be done by discussion. If these books inspire discussion between teachers and students than so much the better. I hardly think harm can come from a teacher discussing Joey Pigza with his or her students.

I have a very clear memory of a teacher who sat me on a chair in front of my second grade class and let each student tell me what they didn't like about me. I was broken hearted. Perhaps if there were books like Joey Pigza then, this teacher wouldn't have been so insensitive.

Having been a Joey, I can tell you the writing expertly gets inside the thoughts and inner workings of a children with this problem.

Preston McClear Malibu Books For Children
Received on Tue 30 Jan 2001 06:21:42 PM CST