Count Us In: Growing Up with Down Syndrome (A Harvest Book) [Paperback]

Jason Kingsley (Author), Mitchell Levitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 5, 2007 | Series: A Harvest Book

At ages nineteen and twenty-two, respectively, Jason Kingsley and Mitchell Levitz shared their innermost thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams, their lifelong friendship—and their experiences growing up with Down syndrome. Their frank discussion of what mattered most in their lives—careers, friendships, school, sex, marriage, finances, politics, and independence—earned Count Us In numerous national awards, including the EDI Award from the National Easter Seal Society. More important, their wit, intelligence, candor, and charm made a powerful and inspirational statement about the full potential of people with developmental disabilities, challenging prevailing stereotypes.

Now, thirteen years later, the authors discuss their lives since then—milestones and challenges, developments expected and unexpected—in a new afterword.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-Written by two young men with Down's Syndrome, this book will open eyes and touch the heart. The interview style is involving as the authors discuss their friendship, having Down's Syndrome, marriage, children, becoming independent, and their hopes and dreams for the future. They speak openly about how people have treated them differently because of their disorder and how they feel about it. The book is occasionally a challenge to read since the authors speak in unusual syntax. Black-and-white photographs from family albums appear in a center insert. Curious teens and friends and family members of the disabled will feel the emotions of these two remarkable young men and learn how they work to cope and to succeed.
Jacqueline Craig, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Kingsley and Levitz write about education, employment, ambitions, families, sex and marriage, and their disability--Down syndrome--in a dialogue format. At Jason's birth, the obstetrician said that he'd never learn anything and should be institutionalized. Fortunately, the Kingsleys ignored this advice, and their son has since attended school, written poetry, registered to vote, and memorized scripts for appearances on "Sesame Street" and "The Fall Guy." Mitchell is an equally successful young man whose mother was one of the founders of the Parent Assistance Committee on Down Syndrome. Hearing about Down syndrome directly from these young men has a good deal more impact than reading any guide from a professional or even a parent. Their comments are eye-opening and heartening. Denise Perry Donavin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (March 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0156031957
• ISBN-13: 978-0156031950
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #486,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars irinaz, December 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Count Us In: Growing Up with Down Syndrome (Paperback)

I first read this book when my son with Down Syndrome was very young. It was extremely encouraging to me to read the very complex and interesting thoughts of two adult men who have Down Syndrome. I wish all teachers would read this book. I think any parent with a child who has Down Syndrome, especially a very young one, would benefit from reading this book. I really fell in love with Jason and Mitchell.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Count Us In by Jason Kingsley, & Mitchell Levitz, June 4, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Count Us In: Growing Up with Down Syndrome (Paperback)

This is a book written in their own words by two young men who have Down's Syndrome. They share the ups and down's of their lives . Although my son is only nine, I found this book very helpful because it gave me some preview of things to come. Because the book was written in the boys' own words, it gives a unique picture into the minds and lives of older children with Down syndrome. It also gave some insight into familiar problems, as well as some events that were unique to these boys who authored the book. I found myself wishing that my own son had a close friend to help guide him through the ups and downs that await him in his teenage years. Then I realised that I could actively seek out peers for him to become friendly with at my local Down syndrome chapter, and maybe I could find some friends that he could become close with in a similar fashion to the authors of this book. I highly recommend this book to all parents, caregivers, teachers and other professionals who work with children who have disabliities similar to Down Syndrome, because the experiences of these boys could cover a broad spectrum of disabilities, not only Down Syndrome. So many books are written from an outsider's prespective. This book comes straight from the sourcel.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very educational, May 6, 2007

By 

Jessica Green - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Count Us In: Growing Up with Down Syndrome (A Harvest Book) (Paperback)

i think this book should go to individuals to learn about issues that might be dealing with. these two advocates have learned a lot and how their parents has taught them i think i definitively recommend this book to go to many libraries and bookstores so that other men can learn how to do things on their own just like any other men. i am a women and i have down syndrome to i have read this it made me realize that having down syndrome is a celebration