Just Another Kid

By: Torey Hayden

Narrated by: Tara Ochs

A dramatic and remarkable narrative of an extraordinary teacher's determination, from the author of the Sunday Times bestsellers The Tiger's Child and One Child. Torey Hayden faced six emotionally troubled kids no other teacher could handle - three recent arrivals from battle-torn Northern Ireland, badly traumatized by the horrors of war; an eleven-year-old boy, who only knew life inside an institution; an excitable girl, aggressive and sexually precocious at the age of eight; and seven-year-old Leslie, perhaps the most hopeless of all, unresponsive and unable to speak. But Torey's most daunting challenge turns out to be Leslie's mother, a stunning young doctor who soon discovers that she needs Torey's love and help just as much as the children. Just Another Kid is a beautiful illustration of nurturing concern, not only for a few emotionally disturbed children, but for one woman facing a personal battle.

©1988 Torey Hayden (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

One of Hayden’s best

4.5 STARS

Special education teacher Torey Hayden’s new class starts off with three children and grows to sex when sisters and their cousin fleeing violence in Ireland join the class. Without an aide, Ladbrooke, the alcoholic mother of young Leslie volunteers to help in the classroom.

Of the four Torey Hayden books I’ve reread this week, JUST ANOTHER KID is the one which Hayden shows the most professionalism. Her instincts with the kids are usually spot on. She goes to extraordinary lengths to help Ladbrooke with her challenges. I loved and empathized with Lad, the emotional abuse she suffered as a child and from her husband, her low self esteem and failure to recognize her worth, her dogged determination to overcome obstacles real and imagined. I wanted her to thrive as much as any of the kids.

JUST ANOTHER KID shows how far we’ve come in special education and inclusion, though I think we miss the mark not judging each child for which situation is most ideal in favor of financial constraints.

good book

starts out slower than her other books at keeping my attention/interest. almost returned it but glad I didn't.

Still in love!

I have work with special needs children since 1999. I have read 9 of Torey Hayden’s over the years. Loosing my copies in a house fire in 2014. Listening to them being read to me, is amazing!

Torey Hayden books Rock!!

I love Torey Hayden books! I first heard of her books through my child development school work, years ago. Now I still enjoy her books.

AMAZING AND TOUCHING

Loved every emotional part of this book. Never dull. Touhing and it moved me strongly.

Good story, bad therapy

I found the story to be quite captivating and I could not help but wonder if this true story had been embellished. But of course we do notcwan

Tory is my hero.

I love how everyone grows and that the challenges are so real. Thank you Tory.

Not up to Tory Hayden's earlier works

I love Tory Hayden's earlier books, which generally focused on one child. "Just Another Child" was disappointing, in that it jumped from child to child and never approached the wonder she could achieve with elective mutism.

I personally found her work with children who had elective mutism fascinating and moving. "Just Another Kid" never reached the tragedy and beauty of Hayden's one on one work with fascinating and moving children with elective mutism.

Also I didn't appreciate the time devoted to an alcoholic woman assistant. If I wanted to read about alcoholic women, there are plenty of other good books on this topic. This was so far from what I expected from Hayden. I was extremely disappointed.

Of course this is just my point of view, having read Hayden's earlier work. If you enjoy reading about special ed classrooms and teachers' problems, you might love this book. If you think "Oh, another book by Tory Hayden!" you might well be disappointed.

Usual Torey story

Would you try another book from Torey Hayden and/or Tara Ochs?

I enjoy her books and the narration.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Not sure.. Torey's books are non fiction, so they are her stories..

What three words best describe Tara Ochs’s performance?

Good narration and character reading

Did Just Another Kid inspire you to do anything?

No, but I enjoy the fact that children are helped.

Any additional comments?

No