I'm Somebody Too [Hardcover]

Jeanne Gehret (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

When her brother responds to therapy for ADD, Emily no longer knows what her family role should be.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-- Emily, 12, has a younger brother who is hyperactive and a slow learner. Her worry about him affects her schoolwork and her peer relationships. Her family tends to operate with denial; feelings are hidden until her parents seek professional help. They learn that the boy has ADD--"Attention Deficit Disorder"--which is treatable through structuring his behavior and taking medication. As Ben becomes calmer and more organized and the family engages in activities together, Emily has feelings of jealousy, rage, and guilt. What saves her is an inner voice, a dialogue with her frustration and anger and with her protective love for her brother; she is finally able to deal with her ambivalence by recognizing that it is an okay part of her. The dynamics of the plot involve everyday activities from which relationships and feelings grow. In addition to a good story, Gehret offers a few pages on how siblings can deal with frustration. Her book may help children accept the idea of therapy and the comfort and insight it may bring.
- Judith Lipshutz, Norristown Public Library, PA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Jeanne Gehret is the author of The Don't-Give-Up Kid and Learning Differences and Eagle Eyes: A Child's Guide to Paying Attention.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 170 pages
• Publisher: Verbal Images Press (September 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962513679
• ISBN-13: 978-0962513671
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,640,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"My goal was to create quirky characters and stories that stand on their own while challenging kids with ADD and learning disabilities to get with the programs designed to help them," says Jeanne Gehret of her Coping Series of picture books from Verbal Images Press. These characters grew from experiences with her ADD/LD son as well as the stories shared by other families with exceptional kids. One of her favorite outings is Birdsong Trail, featured in Eagle Eyes, and she still shudders when remembering the night she was frightened by her son's escaped hamster running across the floor (Houdini's Gift). Coming from a family of inventors, she and her husband really created the Cookie Snatcher that is featured in The Don't-give-up Kid.

Jeanne's books have received favorable reviews from School Library Journal, Exceptional Parent, Contemporary Pediatrics, and ADDitude Magazine; they have been recommended by Learning Disabilities Worldwide and the International Dyslexia Association. Recently they were honored by the Mom's Choice Award.

A former teacher, Jeanne lives in Upstate New York. Visit her website at www.verbalimagespress.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive look at the needs of the sibling of an AD/HD child, October 25, 2001

By 

Carol Watkins "Psychiatrist" (Parkton, Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I'm Somebody Too (Hardcover)

Those who have read Eagle Eyes by the same author will recognize Emily, Ben's older sister. Emily's parents and brother have done an excellent job of understanding and addressing Ben's AD/HD. However, Emily feels that her parents are ignoring her. She feels that they expect her to maintain perfect behavior so that the parents can focus on Ben's problems. Emily and the rest of the family work with Ben's therapist to gain an understanding of Emily's own needs.

The book deals with psychotherapy and family issues in a clear but relatively sophisticated manner. I liked the fact that it addressed Emily's feelings about her parents' time-consuming involvement with advocacy groups. Family involvement in advocacy organizations is critical, but parents also need to seek a balance that includes regular family down time.

This book may also be useful for any girl who feels that her over-committed family expects her to be too perfect.

This book is aimed at the older elementary school or middle school child. There is more text and relatively few illustrations.

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Somebody Too- one word. AWESOME!, September 28, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: I'm Somebody Too (Hardcover)

This book captured my heart. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me think. I have never read anything more powerful and precise about ADHD and brother and sister rivalry than this one. Make sure to read it! It's a keeper!!