Rating: 
Summary: Amazing
Review: Like all Hayden's books, this one grabs you and never lets go. The children are truly amazing in their ability to survive in a world that treats them like property. They have a level of insight and soul that is rare in adults. Sheila's transformation is remarkable. It is a testimony to Hayden's abilities that her behavior had improved by the end of the first week. THIS IS A WONDERFUL BOOK.
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Summary: One of the Best Books Ever Written
Review: I agree with all the favorable reviews.One reviewer wanted to know about the movie. The movie stinks and does a disservice to the book. Sheila is called "Caitlin Eldrige" with an IQ of 168 in the movie. It is a poor, pale ersatz version of the book and isn't even worth watching. Torey is portrayed as a martyr. The movie is really bad and poorly done. Forget the movie. The book is first rate and nothing can take away from this amazing teacher's talent, courage and perseverance. Stick with the book instead.
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Summary: Can't say enough about this book
Review: I read this book many years ago when it was first published and I am still drawn back to it now and again. My aspiration is to be a teacher of special needs children and I think Torey L. Hayden had a major influence on me in that regard. This was the first book of hers I ever read, but it is by far her best, I think. The way the story unfolds and the evolution that you witness through her eyes of this extraordinary child is something that has haunted me since I first read this book. The follow-up book to this one is good too, but this book is maybe the best one I have ever read..by her or anyone. Can't say enough about it really.
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Summary: Touching Book
Review: When I read this I realized what specail educations teachers go though and how emotional it is. I think it's great Torey helped her kids so much. I'd recommed this book to everyone. My friends already want to get it because I told them it's such a good book. You'll be missing out if you don't read this book.
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Summary: Torey L. Hayden: Teacher & Hero
Review: When I was first assigned to read this book, I was prepared for a story of an abused child and the teacher that saved her, but that was a huge misconception. Shelia suffered every possible abuse a child can endure, but still found an inner strength within herself to survive. I gained from reading this book a renewed appreciation for dedicated teachers like Torey, and the knowledge that when trust is shared between teacher and student, all things are possible.
Rating:
Summary: You Must Read This!
Review: The only awful thing about this book is that it's true. This little girl is so strong. The book is proof that one person can make a difference in someone's life. I was totaly inspired, and touched by this book.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST OF THE BEST
Review: Tory Hayden paints a wonderful pitcher with her words. This is a story of a andoned and abused 6 year old girl. I recommend it to people that like books that will make them laugh,cry,or cheer. This book shows how much one good teacher like Tory Hayden can help a abused child.
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Summary: My Favorite Book
Review: I thought Torey Hayden's book, One Child, was sooo good! I couldn't put it down. In fact, I just ordered The Tiger's child (also by Torey Hayden) because I'm sure all her books are as good as One Child. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes awesome books!
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Summary: There should be more Torey Haydens' in the world
Review: It has been quite some time since I read One Child , yet I can say that among the hundreds of books I have read, that was the most striking among all. Its the type of book that makes you want to become a better person and try in your own way to make a difference in the world, just as Torey did to those children. I know I did! I tip my hat to her, and I am very grateful that there are still people like her here in the world who REALLY love, especially the most unlovable. I have an autistic cousin too that's why I was really able to relate to the story. Now I know why they are called special children, it's not a euphemism people use for abnormal or dumb, they really are SPECIAL in every meaning of the word. I believe everyone should read it, especially on days when they are down, because although this book is a real tear-jerker, it has a lot of fun moments too. Most of all it makes us realize how lucky we are for not having to go through all the hardships these kids went through. In the end, we feel uplifted and very touched, that we forget about griping and self-pitying.
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Summary: This book will leave you very inspired!
Review: Imagine being left abandoned on the side of the highway by your own mother. Well, that was the case with shelia in the book One Child by Torey L. Hayden. I really liked this book and am eager to begin reading the sequel The Tiger's Child. The reason I like this story was Shelia, herself. During Shelia's short life, she already has to deal with many problems that I am not even sure i would survive through. For one, she has to take care of herself for the most part because her father is either too drunk or too high to take care of her. Second, she has to learn how to take control of her own life because she is going around hurting many young children. For example, at the age of six she tied a boy to a tree at a nearby woodlot and burned him. I believe that she has many mental problems to deal with, including being abandoned by her own mother. I can only imagine how terrible I'd feel to know that my mother does not really love me as much as she should. Shelia grew to be a really strong person. She never gave up on learning, even though she may not have seemed eager to learn anything, but she was afraid of losing. On many occasions, she would just rip the paper up if she did not know how to do something. Another situation that Shelia had to go through was trying to show everyone that she was actually a veryt bright student. The book said that if people are below normal IQ they are classified as being mentally slow, but if they are above normal IQ, they are placed usually in a controlled environment. Then, they get bored and therefore are more capable of causing trouble. That was the main case in Shelia's situation. No one ever considered her as being very bright kid because she never talked with any intelligence. She always used the word "be" on many accasions instead of "is" or "was." I believe that a little more schooling would cure this problem that everyone just thought was a dialect. In handling shelia and her problems, the teacher, Torey Hayden, proved to be a very strong person, in my opinion. She worked harder at trying to help Shelia make something of herself and to prove to the world that she was actually a very bright little kid. I am not sure that I would necessarily work as hard as Torey did with her. I would feel like I was getting nowhere with her as a student. Torey had the patience and the heart to keep going, which proved to be a very important matter for her to realize. When Shelia would refuse to do something, Torey would let her be for awhile but then would be eager to reapproach her again. This happened when she would refuse to do any written work. Torey would leave her be until she had time to think about what she was actually doing to herself by not doing the necessary work. This teaacher left an ever-lasting impression on Shelia. She would return to Torey whenever she needed help on anything in life. I would be grateful for a friend or a teacher to keep trying with me when I did not get something, but many people would probably just give up on me. Overall, if anyone is looking for an exciting book to read, One Child is the book to read. Torey Hayden will leave anyone spellbound for the majority of the time. No one will ever believe the outcome of Sehlia. Shelia will give you the strength to keep going when the going gets tough. If she could survive a lifetime of hurt, anyone can deal with everyday stresses because no matter what his or her life will not ever ne as bad as Shelia's life once was.
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