Don't Call Me Marda [Paperback]

Sheila Kelly Welch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1991 | Age Level: 9 and up

Sixth-grader Marsha is an only child. She's thrilled about her parents' plan to adopt a little sister, but when Wendy arrives, Marsha's life is turned upside down. Wendy is developmentally delayed, acting much younger than her eight years. She has tantrums, messes with Marsha's belongings, steals the affection of the family cat, and embarrasses Marsha everywhere they go. Why should Marsha agree to officially adopting Wendy and having her join their family forever? "This charming story accurately reflects the adoption process and the feelings of those involved," according to Recovery Times. The book was named a Benjamin Franklin Award Finalist.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-- Marsha O'Dell, 11, has been looking forward to the new younger sister her parents are planning to adopt. In addition to having fun with her, she hopes to teach her sister to ride the beloved pony that is now too small for her so she won't have to sell it. Marsha's imaginings are threatened when she realizes that her parents are considering adopting a mentally handicapped child, and her fears are realized when Wendy actually arrives. Disruption at home and teasing from schoolmates become regular occurrences, but it is Marsha's own doing that causes one of the worst incidents, and, in time, a turning point. There are no easy solutions here, and the story concludes on a positive note with Wendy's birthday offerings to Marsha--a painstakingly decorated cake and a hard-practiced ability to pronounce Marsha's name correctly. Welch provides information on the characteristics of what she calls developmentally delayed children and presents a realistic portrayal of foster life and of the adoption process itself. Although the story is flawed by occasional lapses into stilted language, Marsha's emotions and reactions are typical and understandable. Pleasing black-and-white drawings appear throughout the story. --Sylvia V. Meisner, Allen Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"This is a story about Marsha and her family. When her parents make the decision to adopt a 'developmentally delayed' daughter, Marsha finds that her world is abruptly changed, and not for the better. Written from Marsha's point of view, this ch arming story accurately reflects the adoption process and the feelings of those involved. The book is written for grade school children and, although I found it easy to read, it was engaging.

I think it is wonderful that children who might be facing the arrival of an adopted sibling can read Marsha's story and know others have had the same experience. DON'T CALL ME MARDA is also a good book for any elementary school child." -- Recovery Times Book Reviews --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 138 pages
• Publisher: Our Child Press (October 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0961187247
• ISBN-13: 978-0961187248
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,316,207 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I began writing and drawing before I started school. In first grade my black crayon was always worn down from making pictures of horses with long manes and flowing tails. In junior high school, I began to think about a career, and I actually wrote in my diary, "Maybe someday I'll make my own children's books, illustrations and all."

When I went to Temple University in Philadelphia, I majored in fine arts and also received a master's degree in education. In the next few years, my husband, Eric, and I began to raise our family. We bought and sold a farm in Minnesota, I taught school, and Eric decided to become a librarian.

Then, in 1981, I had open heart surgery. With my artificial valve ticking away, I knew that if "someday" was ever going to arrive, I'd better get busy. My first short story was published in 1983. Since then my short stories, often accompanied by my illustrations, have appeared in a number of magazines including Cricket, Children's Playmate, Girls' Life, The Friend, Ladybug, Cicada, and Spider. Several of my short stories have been published in language arts textbooks. I've also written and/or illustrated fourteen books for children of various ages.

Now I live in the country near Forreston, Illinois with my husband and a menagerie of pets. We have seven grown-up children and seven grandchildren. I enjoy volunteering at the local animal shelter and visiting nursing homes with my certified therapy dog. Raven and I also participate in the "Paws for Reading" program at the library. Children read aloud to the dogs.

I often do school and library presentations as well as sign my books and present special programs at bookstores. My newest book will be published soon by namelos. WAITING TO FORGET begins and ends in a hospital, but in between, readers will learn about T.J.'s other life, before he was adopted, and why his little sister is lying unconscious in the Emergency Room.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book!, April 29, 2000

By 

Nick Jones - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Call Me Marda (Paperback)

I love this book! It's a very well-written, warming story about the conflict between a child and her mentally retarded adopted sister. It explores the emotions that accompany an adoption not from the parents view, but from the siblings view, an angle that is not often examined. I couldn't put this book down and finished it in two days, I definitely would recommend this book to anyone.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book about understanding different people, April 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Call Me Marda (Paperback)

This is a great book to teach children how to accept different people. Marda, an elementary school child must learn to live with a retarded child that her parents adopt. It is a "heart-warming" tale of how she herself adapts to this new and strange situation. Highly Reccomended.