Beautiful Child by Torey Hayden
Monday, 04 Sep 2006 10:28
Torey Hayden's latest book is an unashamed tearjerker
Published by Harper Element, out now, hardback, 426 pages, £12.99.
In a nutshell…
Moving, riveting, emotional, honest, tearjerker
What's it all about?
This moving story tells the tale of one of Torey Hayden’s special education classes, particularly focusing on seven-year-old Venus Fox. Highlighting Torey’s amazing patience and skills in her field, this book shows how she helped yet another child overcome their learning and social difficulties. With many tearjerking and also more entertaining and humorous episodes covered in this book, the reader is constantly engaged and wanting to turn the page to see what happens next.
Venus’ behaviour changes from a silent, almost alien-like creature one minute to an angry, animalistic individual the next when simple playground behaviour causes her to enter a frightening rage. Torey not only has to overcome this but tackle all the children’s problems while her classroom aide disagrees with nearly every method she adopts.
Yet another story from this talented author, who continues to amaze readers with her dedication, patience and expertise.
Who's it by?
Torey Hayden now lives in Wales but used to work in America as an educational psychologist and special education teacher, originally planning to enter a career in wildlife biology. She has written a number of bestselling books since 1979, based on her classroom struggles throughout her career.
Worldwide sales of her books top more than three million and have been translated into a huge 28 languages.
Other books written by her include Tiger’s Child, One Child, Just Another Kid, Ghost Girl and Twilight Children.
As an example…
“I see. You don’t want to go outside today. You want to dance.”
A slight, slight nod….Venus was watching my face very carefully.
“Can you use the words?...Can you say: I want to dance?”
She was still watching me intently, her dark eyes searching my face. “Dance,” she murmured so softly, it was nothing more than a breath.
And so we did.
Likelihood of becoming a Hollywood blockbuster
Although an amazing read it seems unfair to make this into a film, and to publicise the children involved in Torey’s care in such a way.
Torey talks about the children with a caring and understanding approach - the way only someone in her position who worked so closely with them can. A film version would simply be too impersonal.
What the others say
“Hayden’s books are unapologetic tearjerkers” The Times T2
“Torey Hayden deserves the kind of respect I can’t give many people. She isn’t valuable, she’s incredible. The world needs more like Torey Hayden.” Boston Globe
So is it any good?
Fans of Hayden’s previous work will not be disappointed with this read. The book constantly surprises the reader with the progress that is made with what seems like impossible cases – whether it’s encouraging a child to speak or helping another deal with their Tourette’s Syndrome.
Bringing tears to the reader’s eye one minute and then making them smirk at the mischievous behaviour of other classmates the next, this book continuously entertains.
Recommended for people who already read Hayden’s work and to newcomers who will be impressed with her teaching skills and saddened and shocked by the harsh realities involved in what causes most of these behavioural difficulties to occur.
9/10
Melanie Shaw