Rating: 
Summary: Emotionally riveting!
Review: This is the 2nd book I've read from author Torey Hayden and it is the most emotionally riveting book I have read in a very long time. In this book we read about 6-year old Sheila temporarily sent to Hayden's special ed. class. Sheila comes in as an angry revengeful little girl and in a period of 5 months, blossoms into a flower full of joy and happiness. Hayden's book shows much of the ups and downs with her relationship with young Sheila. Nevertheless, it still shows positive progression. It lends credence that when dealing with emotionally disturbed children, the issues aren't always black and white, for I was clearly appalled with Hayden's accounts of Sheila's actions. However, as I continued to read, I discovered the reasons why Sheila acted as she did and this was due to her background situation with her mother and father. One thing that I did not like is that I felt Hayden's departure to pursue academics was in a sense, abandonment on Sheila's part. While I can understand the reason for it, I felt that it left Sheila too vulnerable into eventually thinking Hayden left her as well. With the Tiger's Child as the sequel to Sheila's story, I'm sure my reasoning will probably be addressed. And I agree with Hayden in the beginning: Sheila is a survivor.
Rating:
Summary: A Heartaching touching book
Review: This story is about a teacher and one child. It's heartaching and touching from the moment Sheila walks into that classroom. It almost wanted me to become a teacher, because if you could save just one child it would be worth all the troubles you might have. Mrs. Hayden's way of describing the story and girl is very vividly and you can see Shelia standing right there in front of you. I recommend this book for everyone who is a bit interested in children, especially the need to care about kids. The way it makes you feel when Torey reach into Sheila...it gives you a very joyful moment and you wished there were more persons like her and less child abusers. This book gives you all the emotions, anger, despair, hope, love, makes you smile, makes you want to do something. So please read it!
Rating:
Summary: This book inspired me to become a teacher
Review: I was given this book by a high school teacher 21 years ago. She saw something in me that I didn't know existed. This book became my inspiration to become a teacher and every day I am in the classroom I think to myself... IF I can reach 'just one child' today my life has been a success. Inspirational to anyone who is considering a career in education.
Rating:
Summary: "The Light At the End of The Tunnel"
Review: This book is one that will grab your attention and never let go. This book really shows the lives of children and their amazing ability to survive in a cruel and abusive world. Shelia, a troubled, abused, and yet brillant child, is one of the main focuses of the story. Torey Hayden, is the exceptional teacher that is trying desperately to reach her. The story exemplifies Shelia's remarkable transformation and how this change came through the abilities and concerns of one teacher. The idea that this book is a basic story about an abused child and the teacher that saves her is a complete misconception. This book is a song to the soul, and a testament of true human courage, determination, and willingness to care about others. This book also offers a renewed appreciation for those dedicated teachers, such as Torey Hayden, and their concept that when trust exists between teachers and their students, anything is possible. This is a remarkable story that will unfold the changes of an extraordinary child through the eyes of a very special teacher, and it proves that there are not any children that are hopeless or unreachable. This is a compelling story that will make you laugh, cry, and truly beg for more. The only negative aspect about his book is that it is so true. Children all over our world face the same abuses that Shelia did in this story. Although this statement may seem to give off a very negative connotation about the book, the fact that Torey Hayden possessed such determination and devotion, the positive aspect shines through, and we can see that there truly is light at the end of the tunnel.
Rating:
Summary: For the Love of a Child
Review: Torey Hayden's book was extremely well written and very emtionial. Torey is an exceptional teacher, as well as a compassionate and patient person. She feels for these children and is willing to stick her own neck out to save them. Her strong desire to help these children, especially Sheila is indeed the making of a true teacher. To see Sheila's behavior change was truly remarkable. How Torey got Sheila to respond to schoolwork and other children was amazing. I enjoyed every moment of this book. It made me cry at times to read how Sheila was treated and it also made me mad for the way she was neglected, abused and rejected. I was so happy when she finally accepted the fact that she would have to move on in life, but still could hold on to the memories that she would always have from Torey's Special Class. This book has made me want to read the sequel, as well as other Torey Hayden books. I would recommend this book to anyone, who has any dealing with children.
Rating:
Summary: Living the worst of life
Review: One Child is a clear and precise look at a child of abuse-sexual and child. The reeling life of pain and disappointment. The long journey to come to the other side. This is a must read, highly rated book.
Other books in this genre to look for: Nightmares Echo-Katlyn Stewart and A Child Called It-David Pelzer
Rating:
Summary: An Inspiring Read
Review: One Child, written by Torey Hayden, is an outstanding, inspiring book. Sheila, a six-year old girl, was left by her mother on the side of a highway when she was four-years old. From then on, she lived with an abusive father. After an act of violence on another child, Sheila was temporarily place in a class of "crazies" with other kids that have behavior problems.
The amount of love expressed to Sheila throughout her stay in Torey Hayden's class is absoulutely amazing. Hayden shows such patience and determination to not give up on this "hopeless cause" as the government, others, and Sheila's father, would see her as. I believe this book was written to dedicate it to Sheila for what an impact she had on Torey's life. Torey Hayden and Sheila's adventure through the school year was the most heartfelt story I've ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Very emotional
Review: I became very emotional reading this moving account by author Torey Hayden. It's very well-written and paced just right. I'm reminded of other books along this line, such as "A Child Called it." I highly recommend this book. Also recommended: McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD -- a sometimes funny, sometimes harrowing tale of child abuse and dysfunction.
Rating:
Summary: One Child
Review: This book was amazing, Torey Hayden is so down to earth. She writes about her experiences with 6 year old Sheila and the story is just fantastic.
Rating: 
Summary: Can they?
Review: I found One Child to be an eye opening book. It is about a young girl who the courts have decided to put in the State Hospital, but they are awaiting an opening. As they are waiting for an opening they place the girl in a "BAD class" where she causes problems throughout the first few weeks. Torey Hayden is the teacher that has Sheila as her new student. Torey and Sheila work together to prove to the courts that Sheila is not crazy. The question is can they convince the courts?
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