Ryan White: My Own Story (Signet) [Paperback]

Ryan White (Author), Ann Marie Cunningham (Author), Jeanne White (Afterword)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Signet

The late AIDS sufferer describes how he contracted the virus; the negative response of his friends and neighbors in his home town of Kokomo, Indiana; his battle to reenter school; and his fight to educate people about the disease. Reprint. NYT.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although Ryan White was born with hemophilia, the boy and his family were determined that he live as normal a life as possible. But, given contaminated blood in a transfusion, Ryan contracted AIDS. Most Americans are familiar with the ensuing headline-making facts: his school barred his attendance, neighbors and former friends shunned him and his family. Moving from Kokomo, Ind., to friendlier Cicero, Ryan struggled for the right to be educated and treated like any other kid even as he fought a daily battle against AIDS and hemophilia. Until his death in April 1990, Ryan was an eloquent spokesperson for all AIDS patients. This understated, affecting first-person account is no mere saccharine tearjerker about a "victim." Early on, Ryan resolved to be the "first kid with AIDS to speak out, fight back--and win." Hearing Ryan's often strong, sometimes hurting, always faith-filled voice in these pages, readers will know that his hopeful, heroic spirit did ultimately triumph. Illustrated with photographs, the work includes an epilogue on Ryan's final illness and funeral, tributes from friends Elton John and Michael Jackson, Ryan's testimony before the President's Commission on AIDS, answers to frequently asked questions and a final section on AIDS information resources. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Signet (August 4, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451173228
• ISBN-13: 978-0451173225
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #174,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Specific Groups > Special Needs
  • #65 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Memoirs
  • #70 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Regional U.S. > Midwest

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiration to all of us., December 2, 1999

By 

Miranda (Iowa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ryan White: My Own Story (Signet) (Paperback)

I read this book 3 years ago as a sopohomore in high school. I had heard the story of Ryan White but never knew it in this much detail. To be honest, throughout the book, my eyes were rarely ever dry. Ryan was so young, yet he was forced to become an adult much sooner than anyone could ever imagine. No matter what everyone else said about him, Ryan always kept his head up. He never lost hope in himself. I remember once in the book he tells his mom I'll beat this thing or I'll die trying. That is what he did. He died trying to beat the dreadful disease. However, good did come of this. Because of Ryan White, new light has been shed on the entire AIDS issue. He was so brave. I do not know of anyone in this world who possesses the same kind of courage that this young man did.

The story of Ryan White will never leave my heart. He is a true inspiration to all of us and will never be forgotten. In the words of Elton's song "Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did."ÿ

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He was my friend, December 1, 2007

By 

J. Miller "Zoe2020" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ryan White: My Own Story (Signet) (Paperback)

Today is World AIDS Day and each year I remember my childhood friend, Ryan White. His sister and I were both Rollerskaters and skated in the same skating rinks. Knowing Ryan personally and having his book for years now, it is still a story that resonates with me. It is true, thoughtful, and in his own words.

I'll never forget the hatred the spewed from the city of Kokomo against him. It was such a devastating blow to his well being. Not only did he have this death sentence, but the entire town was treating him worse than what you would treat a pig going to slaughter. I am not joking. I remember seeing him at the skating rink one day, it was a time when he wasn't as sick so he was able to be a kid. I went up to him to give him a hug because I hadn't seen him in so long and he said, "You want to hug ME?" He was shocked that someone would want to touch him. That's how bad it was.

Read his book. He is the reason people with AIDS are accepted now. This friend of mine had more courage than anyone I have ever met.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story Full of Hope, January 31, 2003

By 

Aaron B. Pacentine (Greenville, SC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ryan White: My Own Story (Signet) (Paperback)

I first read Ryan White's Story last summer of 2002. It was a wonderful book. It really made me think about my own life and I relized that I needed to be thankful for each day the Lord gave me. Having AIDS can be a really hard thing for someone to deal with. But with all the courage that Ryan White had, he did everyting he could to stop it from coming but death took his toll and he died on in April of 1990. We need to remember to help those who "might" have AIDS. Today, fear of AIDS still lurks in the air and even one or two people might get it but if I remember right 1 in 10 people get AIDS. It's sad but it's really true.