Stay Away from Simon!

Rating:
Summary: Conquering those Fears
Review: Carol Carrick carefully explores children's fears of other people with mental handicaps. This story, set in the early part of the century, illustrates how a child's fear of the unknown and defeating rumors dissuade us from forming relationships with persons with handicaps. This book could launch an interesting discussion in a classroom about civil rights regarding persons with handicaps or a discussion about facing the unknown. Also, there is an important lesson in safety regarding blizzards.

The illustrations also add much personality to the characters, particularly the schoolmaster. I appreciated how the schoolmaster keeps Josiah, the little boy, on task.

Rating:
Summary: Conquering those Fears
Review: Carol Carrick carefully explores children's fears of other people with mental handicaps. This story, set in the early part of the century, illustrates how a child's fear of the unknown and defeating rumors dissuade us from forming relationships with persons with handicaps. This book could launch an interesting discussion in a classroom about civil rights regarding persons with handicaps or a discussion about facing the unknown. Also, there is an important lesson in safety regarding blizzards.

The illustrations also add much personality to the characters, particularly the schoolmaster. I appreciated how the schoolmaster keeps Josiah, the little boy, on task.