The Sibling Slam Book
What it is really like to have a brother or sister with special needs
Rachel Simon, author of Riding the Bus with My Sister: "This
is a book absolutely bursting with truth. Three cheers for the strong
young people who share their feelings in these pages -- and for Don
Meyer, a great champion of brothers and sisters everywhere. If only I'd
known you all when I was younger!"
Edited by Don Meyer
2005 Paperback 8 ½" x 11" 186 pages Grades 6-12 isbn# 1-890627-52-6 The Sibling Slam Book may be purchased from the Sibling Support Project Amazon Associate Astore |
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"Welcome
to the real world of siblinghood, described in all of its color,
detail, and amazing emotional range by the experts--the sibs. These
young writers stake out their territory and claim it with big honesty,
a smashing sense of humor, and quiet but unstoppable courage. If you
have preconceptions about people with disabilities or their siblings,
leave them at the door, and get ready for a great read."
--Paul and Judy Karasik, authors of The Ride Together: A Brother And Sister’s Memoir Of Autism In The Family |
Publisher’s description: Give
teenagers a chance to say what’s on their minds, and you might be
surprised by what you hear. That’s exactly what Don Meyer, creator of
Sibshops and author of VIEWS FROM OUR SHOES did when
he invited together a group of 80 teenagers, from all over the United
States and abroad, to talk about what it’s like to have a brother or
sister with special needs. Their unedited words are found in THE SIBLING SLAM BOOK, a brutally honest, non-PC look at the lives, experiences, and opinions of siblings without disabilities.
Formatted like the slam books passed around in
many junior high and high schools, this one poses a series of 50
personal questions along the lines of:
THE SIBLING SLAM BOOK doesn’t
“slam” in the traditional sense of the word. The tone and point-of-view
of the answers are all over the map. Some answers are assuredly
positive, a few are strikingly negative, but most reflect the complex
and conflicted mix of emotions that come with the territory. Whether
they read it cover to cover or sample it at random, teenagers will
surely find common ground among these pages and reassurance that they
are not alone. It is a book that parents, friends, and counselors can
feel confident recommending to any teenager with a brother or sister
with a disability.
From The School Library Journal
Starred
Review. Grade 6 Up–This multifaceted vehicle for eliciting some unique
and many universal emotions is designed specifically for siblings of
special-needs children. An adolescent mainstay, the slam book is the
chosen venue for encouraging the venting of opinions, hopes, fears,
frustrations, and triumphs. Comments by 81 young people display the
recurring theme of optimism, complicated by hard work, dedication,
resentment, and fierce protection, all as by-products of love. Some
questions serve as icebreakers, such as "What should we know about
you?" and "What should we know about your sib?" while thought-provoking
chapters include "What life lesson have you learned from being a sib?"
and "What are some advantages–good parts–of having a sibling with a
disability?” Typical slam-book questions such as "Has your sib ever
embarrassed you?" are interspersed with chapters like "Ever feel
invisible?” Answers from the large sample group supply ample material
so that each reader is sure to relate to some of the thoughtful or
heartfelt responses. Highly recommended for all middle, high school,
and public libraries. –Sharon A. Neal, Alvernia College, Reading, PA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Amazon.com
Brutally honest, and brilliant!, May 20, 2005
Reviewer: Jenna (Sydney, Australia)
An insightful, contemplative, and often humorous
read. Slam book editor Don Meyer asks 80 young people what it's really
like to have a sibling with special needs. The answers are as varied as
the contributors.
This book is a must-read for kids and teens who
have a brother or sister with a disability, and is a valuable resource
for health and social workers.
Read it and know that you're not the only one who
gets scared or frustrated or embarrassed. And learn how others work
through tough times to become mature, independent, and thoughtful young
people.
The Sibling Slam Book may be purchased from the Sibling Support Project Amazon Associate Astore
