Buster and the Amazing Daisy [Paperback]

Nancy Ogaz (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 184310721X | ISBN-13: 978-1843107217 | Publication Date: November 20, 2008 | Edition: 1

"Buster and the Amazing Daisy" isn't just a humorous and engaging story. It will also give its readers an insight into the hopes and dreams, as well as the fears and frustrations, of many children with autism.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-Daisy has Asperger Syndrome, a mild form of autism, and this novel-told from her point of view-allows children to see the world as she sees it. Other characters moving the plot along include Marissa, who leads the pack of mean-spirited "Bully-Pops"; kind but helpless Cody, who is bound to a wheelchair and breathing machine due to a freak biking accident; and Buster, the classroom rabbit that Daisy has trained to do tricks. Daisy reacts explosively to surprises and noises and things that don't match, finding solace in the understanding of teachers and in spending time in a quiet area outside training Buster. Along the way she gains hard-won insight into others, as when she realizes that Marissa's rhyming taunts are a form of obsessive behavior that she can't control. When it looks like Cody must return to the dreaded School for the Disabled and Developmentally Delayed because there is no funding for an aide, Daisy finds a way to help him. She enters Buster in a pet contest; faces the terrifying ordeal of performing on stage in front of a noisy, confusing audience; wins the contest; and uses the prize money to help Cody stay in school. Although the plot is necessarily contrived, the writing is good, and the dialogue and character development make the book a pleasure to read. Schools with Asperger's students (that would be most of us) would do well to pitch this book.
Mary R. Hofmann, Rivera Middle School, Merced, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Nancy Ogaz is the mother of a child with Asperger Syndrome and a writer. She counseled children with special challenges for ten years and completed a Master's Degree in Public Health. She lives with her family in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California in the USA.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley; 1 edition (November 20, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184310721X
• ISBN-13: 978-1843107217
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #529,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A Really Great and Truly Wonderful Idea!!" Heart Grabbing!, August 18, 2002

By 

B. K. Jerabek "So little time..." (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Buster and the Amazing Daisy (Paperback)

I loved, loved, loved this book for so many reasons...
o it was a great adventure that started right away, you want to keep reading because you can hardly wait to see what happens next
o it's not a sickly sweet, sugar coated kids book...it's funny using words and expressions that will crack up the kids who read it
o my kids loved it even though my 12 year old said "There was a sad part but then it turned out OK."
o in a very compassionate and yet totally entertaining and clear way this adventure helps explain some of the seemingly quirky and sometimes startling behavior of kids with Aspergers
o you truly love the characters!
A great read for yourself, your kids or maybe a favorite teacher!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a mainstream book dealing with Aperger Syndrome!, October 25, 2002

By 

john felt (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buster and the Amazing Daisy (Paperback)

This is a home run in my opinion. Easy to read and better yet, easy to learn from. Buster and the Amazing Daisy allows the reader to peek into the life of a child who is different than their peers. I found my emotions swelling as I entered into the life of this little child who overcomes the challenges many children face by simply being different. Certainly children with Asperger Syndrome, families, friends and teachers can all benefit from reading this book, in addition, any child who feels they sometimes just don't fit in can enjoy and learn from Buster and the Amazing Daisy. I hope to see more books by Nancy Ogaz out soon.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MYTH BUSTERS, July 19, 2003

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Buster and the Amazing Daisy (Paperback)

This is a delightful book about a young girl who has Asperger's Syndrome. Asperger's Syndrome is a neurobiological condition that is on the same spectrum as autism and the accompanying behaviors are as varied as there are individuals who have it.

Daisy, the young protagonist is fully aware that she is on the a/A spectrum. She is easily distracted by noises; a classmate's hair-chewing annoys her; certain sounds, tastes and smells upset her. A grade-schooler, Daisy enters the story as a newly-mainstreamed pupil from a self contained program for persons with autism. Her previous school carries the sad name School of Social And Developmentally Delayed, which automatically screams stigma. Instead of being a helpful program, Daisy's previous school does not appear tailored to meet her academic and social needs. At Ocean Vista, where she is mainstreamed, she has a very understanding teacher who explains her behaviors, e.g. hand flapping, noise sensitivity, verbal outbursts, uttering non sequiturs as well as esoteric words to her classmates. Daisy often tended to use stilted utterances such as "powers of darkness" when describing bullying and her spontaneous display of affection when her principal sympathizes with some of her social difficulties. Daisy also makes good use of the Resource Room when stimuli become too overwhelming.

Even with good back up, Daisy is targeted by a group of bullies, some of whom are her classmates. In time, she learns to defend herself and makes friends with a boy named Cody who had also attended Daisy's former school. A girl named Lauren takes Daisy under her wing and is amazingly accepting of Daisy's explanation of what it means to have Asperger's. Indeed, a very funny exchange occurs between the girls when Lauren mispronounces Asperger's, thinking Daisy was making a rather rude joke. That part was truly hilarious!

In time, as the girls bond with Cody, Daisy demonstrates her skill at animal training. She had been working with the class rabbit Buster and had trained him to perform tricks. It is through her work with Buster and with her two new friends that Daisy becomes empowered to act as a friend and step up to the plate for someone who really needs her help.

This is a wonderful book and a treat for all ages. Please read this and share it with someone. The acceptance of the principal, Daisy's teacher and Resource Room teacher point up to just how important inclusion really is. I also like the resorces that the author lists at the end of the story. Hats off to this book!