From: Monica R. Edinger <edinger>
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2001 05:53:38 +0000

HarrySpenc at aol.com writes:

I teach 4th grade and happened to have enjoyed reading both books very much. I think they are funny and moving. Joey is a wonderful character and I think his circumstances are credible even if they may seem farfetched to some. (I keep thinking of that dog in the glove compartment or whatever you call it!) I must admit though, like Jonathan Hunt, I did wondered about Joey's diagnosis and medication since they seemed quite different from my experience as a teacher with ADHD diagnosis and medication.

I also must admit that I've considered and then decided not to read either book aloud to my classes (although I know others on the list have done so with great success). Every year I have at least one student who resembles Joey. That is probably why I so enjoyed the books, but it is also why I did not want to read them aloud. While they may resemble Joey, they are generally not as extreme in their behavior as Joey and I did not want them to be labeled as a "Joey" by their peers. I could just see kids teasing Freddy (of a few years back who had a VERY active fantasy life which he played out all day long in front of all of us) by waving a key at him or something similar. I could even see Freddy deciding to go a bit further and try the key trick himself! I have other Freddies and Joeys every year
(less so Susies and Marys) and I have just felt these books would not help them socially, but hinder them if I read them aloud.

As for these children reading them on their own, I haven't quite been sure either. Joey situation seems so much more extreme than theirs. I haven't been able to decide if they will reassure them or scare them.


Monica



Monica Edinger The Dalton School New York NY edinger at dalton.org monicaedinger at yahoo.com
Received on Mon 29 Jan 2001 11:53:38 PM CST