My Buddy

 

Author/Illustrator: Audrey Osofsky/Ted Rand

About the Author:
Audrey Osofsky is a published author of children's books. Some published works include My Buddy and Dreamcatcher.

Genre: Nonfiction, Special Needs

Grade Level: K-3
Theme: Helping Others

Synopsis:

This book is about a boy who has muscular dystrophy and is in a wheelchair.  It talks about how he got Buddy, his working dog, and how he trained him to listen to only him.  Buddy does everything for him. He turns on and off lightswitches, gets his books, pencils if they fall, opens doors, gets the phone for him and many other helpful things.  No one is allowed to touch Buddy when he is working so he is able to stay focused.  There are times where Buddy plays tee ball with him and keeps him company.  He sleeps with him in case he needs help going to the bathroom and is just that...his Buddy!

Pre Reading Activity:

Activity:
Ask the students if they have ever seen someone in a wheelchair.  Bring a wheelchair to class and have them see what it involves.  Ask them what they would do to help someone in a wheelchair.

Post Reading Activity:

Activity:
After reading the story, have students sit in a wheelchair and use it for a few minutes around the school or classroom to let them see just how difficult it really is for someone who experiences this everyday.  Have them brainstorm to think of ways they can improve their school for someone who may need a wheelchair.  Then talk to your principal about putting these ideas in effect!

Reflection:

I think this is a great book to use because it allows students to see how difficult something can be and to not take things for granted.  It also allows students to see how beneficial a trained dog can be to someone who has a disability and cannot do everything for themselves.

Scotty's Way

Author/Illustrator:  Jennifer Fura/Samantha Smith and Matthew Ulrich

About the Author:

http://www.jacketflap.com/profile.asp?member=jen219
Jennifer lives in Syracuse, New York with her husband and two children, Scotty and Carly.  She spends an enormous amount of time with her family and created a book about Scotty and his accident to help others become aware and understanding and with challenges "anything is possible!"

Genre: Non-fiction, Special Needs/Disabilities

Grade Level: K-6
Theme: Understanding Differences/Disabilities

Synopsis:

This book is about Jennifer's son Scotty who was in an accident when he was two and a half years old and lost his right arm.  This book shows the challenges he faces everyday and how he is ready and willing to face each challenge as if their is nothing wrong!  Sometimes he gets frustrated but he knows anything is possible and you just have to work through it because there is ALWAYS a way!

Pre Reading Activity:

Activity:

Have each student write how people are different from each other and share with the class.

Post Reading Activity:

Activity:
After reading the story, have students write in their journals about how they can help someone like Scotty and have them share with the class.

Reflection:

I think this is a great book to use for any level because it helps students to see that anything is possible and there is always a way.  This would be a good book to help students realize that there are some challenges that we face everyday and some people's challenges are greater than others.  It will be a good book to use to explain disabilities to students and let them see that these children are just like us but sometimes they need a little extra help!