Book Description
Often described as "social phobia's cousin" and misdiagnosed as autism, selective mutism is a debilitating fear of speaking in some situations experienced by some children. The disorder usually presents in children before the age of five, but it may not be recognized until the child starts school. When requested to speak, children with selective mutism often look down, blush, or otherwise express anxiety that disrupts their engagement with people and activities. Selective mutism is related to social anxiety and social phobia, and more than 90 percent of children with selective mutism also manifest symptoms of one of these problems.

This book is the first available for parents of children with selective mutism. It offers a broad overview of the condition and reviews the diagnostic criteria for the disorder. The book details a plan you can use to coordinate professional treatment of your child's disorder. It also explains the steps you can take on your own to encourage your child to speak comfortably in school and in his or her peer group. All of the book's strategies employ a gradual, "stepladder" approach. The techniques gently encourage children to speak more, while at the same time helping them feel safe and supported.

Angela E. McHolm, Ph.D., is director of the Selective Mutism Service at McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton, ON. The Selective Mutism Service offers outpatient psychiatric consultation to families and professionalssuch as school personnel,speech and language pathologists, and mental health clinicians who support children with selective mutism. She is assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton, ON. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

A good basic resource
I consider selective mutism as an extreme form of anxiety disorder, much like the authors of this book and several of the reviewers.
However, there are reasons why children with selective mutism are sometimes "misdiagnosed" with autism spectrum disorder.Frequently, in my experience, the two overlap, especially in children with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome.I also say this from experience: I am diagnosed Asperger's as an adult, but could not speak fluently until I was 8 due to word-finding difficulties associated with autism.There was no diagnosis of high-functioning autism when I was a child, so they called me "elective mutism with autistic features".(Selective mutism used to be called elective mutism.)I had a great deal of anxiety in situations where I was expected to speak to others for years afterward, and frequently would not speak with anyone other than my parents and teachers.
I must say, though, that the authors did not include the techniques I have found that work best with children with either or both selective mutism and high-functioning autism disorders, including asperger's, who have anxiety about speaking.
Some respond very well to the use of masks.I try to have it be a mask that the child has made, with my assistance, and gradually modify the mask to look more like the child, or modify the base material from paper to nylon around a base.
Another good therapy tool is a sock puppet.Gradually make it look more like the child, such as by adding hair, eyes the same color as the childs', etc.Gradually try to fade the use of these as the child's anxiety decreases.
Best of luck.

Great Results!!!
We have a 4 year old who did not speak at all in preschool for the first several months.We were very worried about her.Her teacher initially misunderstood her behavior, thinking she was just being uncooperative.I initially consulted the website, [...], and shared the information from it with her teacher.Together we implemented several strategies recommended on the website, including a teacher home visit, and realized some positive, albeit limited, results.I then found this book, and again shared it with her teacher.We had a very clear understanding of SM as a result, and implemented some additional strategies suggested in the book (like another teacher home visit, building on the friendships she had outside of school, being cognizant of classroom seating, etc.). To all of our amazement she is a little chatterbox at school now (same school year)!!!I am incredulous that implementing the simple suggestions on the website and in the book had such dramatic results, and highly recommend the book for parents and teachers of children with this problem.THANK YOU to the authors!!!

Excellent Resource
This is the first book I would buy after receiving a Selective Mutism diagnosis.It's well written and organized in a logical step-by-step fashion.Well worth the money.

I also highly recommend Maggie Johnson's "The Selective Mutism Resource Manual".It's pricey by comparison, but worth the cost.

A book for parents who want to help their children
As a mother of a child with selective mutism, I can tell how helpful this book can be. Practical and comprehensive, it helps you rate your child's level of selective mutism and gives hints on how to work your way up the ladder of a child's social relationships. Feels good to see the progress. If your child is well described by the first chapter, then get a copy of this book for the teachers.

What a find!
What a find!! Helping Your Child with Selective Mutism is a well-researched and organized resource that is a must read for educators and parents alike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent Resource
I wish I would have started with this book as well, but was put off by the price. Considering how much we've spent on therapy, the price now seems insignificant considering the value of the information this book contains.

I should have started with this book
This is a fabulous book for ANYONE working with a child that has selective mutism.I should have read this book first...it's a great reference and a must have! ... Read more

Book Description
There have been important developments in the study and treatment of selective mutism during the ten years since the first edition of this book was published. Understanding of the subject has improved more dramatically than in any period since the phenomenon of children who talk readily in some situations but not in others was first recognised over a century ago.

The second edition of this practical book reports recent developments in medication and combined therapies. New findings on the links between social anxiety, biological and genetic factors and selective mutism are described. At the same time the authors remain committed to understanding this pattern of behaviour in its full social context in family and community and to employing behavioural approaches to intervention alongside other methods.

This is the fullest and most authoritative book-length account of selective mutism in print. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is written from the point of view of a child who has Selective Mutism. Selective Mutism is a condition that affects about 1% of the population of children. This condition has been more studied and it is connected with social anxiety. This book is a guide to parents, children, and educators to understand what Selective Mutism is, and it provides some suggestions of strategies on how to help the child become more comfortable at school and in other places where he/she feels anxious. Margaret Scott's illustrations help children relate to the feelings portrayed in the book. This book can be used at home, at school, at a psychologist office, and with extended members of family. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a DVD package that includes:2-hour power point presentation by Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum; An audio CD of the presentation to listen to in the car or in any CD player; PDF handout of the presentation. Presentation is updated version of Selective Mutism conference materials. Description: School is not the only setting that is difficult for the child/teen with Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety Disorder. Socializing & communicating in public settings can be anxiety provoking and/or challenging for our children/teens. To help the child suffering in silence, parents, professionals and educators need to understand that children/teens with SM often have difficulty communicating nonverbally. Some may 'whisper' thru a parent or make sounds and some may shut down and therefore, not communicate at all when they sense an expectation for speech and communication. In addition, social comfort and communication will vary depending on the setting and individuals present in that setting. This presentation will begin with background information on the SM Stages of Social Communication Scale; The use of the Social Communication Anxiety Inventory (SCAI) to assess a child's social communication skills from setting to setting; causitive/maintaing factors of SM and the characteristics of children with SM and the importance of understanding the child's unique needs when developing strategies/interventions for the REAL WORLD. A discussion of the Social Communication Bridge will be mentioned to highlight the importance of the child's social communication level (noncommunicative, nonverbal, transitional or verbal) within the social environments the child encountersInformation on HOW to determine the child's social communication baseline skills (i.e., is the child noncommunicative? Nonverbal? In the Verbal Transition stage (whispering, making sounds, etc.) or Verbal) in particular social settings will be discussed. Specific strategies and interventions to help the child feel ... Read more

Book Description
The supplement to The Silence Within contains a Form IEP to use as a guide to properly written goals and objectives developed specifically for selective mutism. This very useful book provides the user with many other useful forms including Classroom Strategies for the Teacher, Ranking Fears, Goals, School Communication, School Information Sheet and songs and poetry to use in an intervention. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not What I Expected . . .
This was just not what I had expected especially for the price.I am not criticizing the content - it just did not meet my needs.
Thank You.

Great Value
What a wonderful resource! I have recently starting working with a student diagnosed with selective mutism but have been at a loss as to how to write the IEP objectives. This publication is exactly what I needed... I had the right content but needed the correct wording. This is a lifesaver for busy speech-language pathologists!
... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from Family Practice News, published by Thomson Gale on August 15, 2007. The length of the article is 787 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Listen for the sounds of silence: selective mutism.(Mental Health)
Author: Betsy Bates
Publication: Family Practice News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 15, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 37Issue: 16Page: 24(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from Pediatric News, published by Thomson Gale on August 1, 2007. The length of the article is 1411 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Spotting selective mutism.(Behavioral Consult)
Author: Barbara J. Howard
Publication: Pediatric News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 41Issue: 8Page: 30(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Book Description
Selective mutism in children is characterized by persistent refusal to speak in one or more social situations (e.g., at school or among strangers), notwithstanding the demonstrated ability to use language at home. The range of treatment options has recently expanded to include promising behavioral, psychopharmacological, and multi-modal approaches in addition to psychodynamic and family systems therapy. Toward overcoming the traditional intractability of the disorder, the authors exhort clinicians - psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, counselors, social workers - to familiarize themselves with all of the options in order to expand their repertoires and individualize treatment strategies. Comprehensive in scope, this book presents the major therapeutic approaches and offers alternatives to professionals working with selectively mute children. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Review of Refusal to Speak
This book contains a collection of articles from the selective mutism literature up to the year 1995.With the exception of a few articles that are scientifically valid, the book is a compilation of misguided information.Even the title is misleading in that selective mutism has been defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a "failure" to speak and not a refusal to speak.Most of the new literature supporting the concept that selective mutism is an involuntary response to anxiety is absent.

Be kind and helpful. See books about shyness.
Look up books using the keyword, shyness. Here are some I found at amazon.com

Buster: The Very Shy Dog by Lisze Bechtold(Illustrator)

Let's Talk About Being Shy (The Let's Talk Library) by Marianne Johnston

J. Rooker, Manatee by Jan Haley, Paul Brent(Illustrator)

The Shy Child : A Parent's Guide to Preventing and Overcoming Shyness from Infancy to Adulthood by Philip G. Zimbardo, Shirley L. Radl

These can be helpful. The book I'm reviewing IS more HARMFUL than helpful. I didn't order it. I read it at a library. It is awful and would increase feelings of inadequacy, anger, etc. which can make a person shy.

School, insurance programs, medical programs, and so forth make a lot of money by having kids diagnosed so they can get money from the government. Remember, "the government" is our tax dollars and many of these dollars are spent unwisely!

Buy some of the other great books at amazon.com about shyness but don't get this one!

refusal to speak
This book is a nightmare!The editors ignore current literature in a seeming effort to further misinformation about a difficult to treat disorder.They are almost as guilty of child abuse as the clinicians who"treated" June and Jennifer Gibbons: identical twins with SM,born in 1965 in England.(It was the CLINICIANS who created the 'monsters'in the girls through their ignorance!)SM is a physiologically-basedanxiety disorder and as such must be treated with behavior mod. and/ ormeds and COMPASSION for those afflicted! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

WHatever happened to shyness?
Schools get money for special education when they label kids. Treat the kid like she or he is shy! THis book is awful. THe only reason for getting it would be to disregard everything it says.

Don't Read it
This is by far the most awful book I have ever read.It is poorly written and poorly researched.Throughout the entire book, the child is treated as an object to be controlled rather than an indivdual person whose needs should be considered.The author is clearly very ignorant of selective mutism, and the book is based on common stereotypes rather than genuine knowledge and facts.Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder/phobia, and these children deserve to be treated with therapy appropiate to phobias.The methods desribed in this book are manipulative and cruel, and in some cases outright child abuse. ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from Clinical Psychiatry News, published by International Medical News Group on October 1, 2002. The length of the article is 1162 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: CBT, medication give voice to selective mutism. (Closely Related to Social Anxiety).(cognitive-behavioral therapy)
Author: Robert Finn
Publication: Clinical Psychiatry News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 2002
Publisher: International Medical News Group
Volume: 30Issue: 10Page: 56(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Book Description

The Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders is a comprehensive two-volume set providing detailed information on mental disorders and conditions, in an easy-to-use format. It includes entries for all 150 disorders classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and also features entries for prescription, alternative and over-the-counter drugs, as well as the various therapies used to treat mental disorders.

Book Description
The book has been written for applied researchers andpractitioners in the disciplines of school psychology, speech-languagepathology, special education, expressive therapy, family therapy,psychiatry, clinical psychology, pediatric medicine, and social work.Elective mutism is discussed within the important context of silenceand gender differences in communication. The elective mutismliterature focuses on the characteristics of specific patients butlittle has been done in systematic theory building. Hadley addressesthis issue and argues for a multidimensional theory of electivemutism.
The book has five major purposes: (1) to provide a background for theproblem of elective mutism by identifying the characteristics ofhealthy users of silence; (2) to provide a compendium of practicalapproaches for assessing and treating elective mutism; (3) to suggestetiological models of elective mutism based on the evaluation andsynthesis of case study data; (4) to identify recurring themes andmajor issues in the published literature; and (5) to identifyresearch questions related to the assessment and treatment of electivemutism.
A unique feature of the book is the inclusion of an assessmentinstrument for monitoring and recording information about the behaviorof silence users. It can also be used to monitor and record progressduring treatment. The book addresses the characteristics of electivemutism, psychosocial factors of silence and communication,psychosocial characteristics of electively mute persons, theories ofelective mutism, legal aspects of the silence user role, directobservation of behavior, why-questions beyond direct observation,assessment of electively mute behavior, and unsystematic informaltreatments. The treatment section is extensive and includes behavioralinterventions such as positive self-modeling and expressive therapiessuch as play therapy, phototherapy and art therapy.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

filled with outdated research citations, inconclusive findin
Not only is this book difficult to read (because of all of the citations), there is no substance to it.

The research mentioned in the book is out of date and inconclusive. All studies mentioned have very small research groups.

A waste of time and money ... Read more

Product Description
The purpose of this presentation is to address the common questions of: 'Why/When/How-to-use'medication effectively and safely in the treatment of Selective Mutism of Social Anxiety DisorderStudies indicate that the best form of treatment is a combination of behavioral therapy and medication. This lecture will address such questions asWhy and When to CONSIDER the use of medication? What type of medication to use? How to minimize side effects, how should dosing be done? How long should a child remain on medication and how to wean off medication effectively?Case discussion examples will be presented. There will be a Question/Answer Session during the Web Seminar. From SMart Center data, medication intolerance is often due to mismanagement of medication usage. poor monitoring and disregard for side effects. Goals for this presentation are to help parents and professionals understand medication so that if a decision needs to be made as to whether to use medication,parents are well informed and confident with their decision as to use or not use medication in their child's treatment. The presentation is 106 min (1 hour, 46 min).Product includes: DVD Power Point Presentation by Dr. Elisa Shipon-BlumAudio CD of presentation (to play in car or any CD player!)PDF handout of presentation ... Read more

Product Description
Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum's Guide, "The Ideal Classroom Setting for the Selectively Mute Child" is a wonderfully informative guidebook that will provide parents, teachers, and treating professionals with the advice necessary to help prepare the 'ideal class setting for the Selectively Mute child.'This practical guide is informative and entertaining and goes into detail as to tactics that can be done in the school to benefit and accommodate the needs of the Selectively Mute child. Recommendations on testing, IEP development and multiple methods to help lower anxiety, build self esteem and increase communication comfort within the school are emphasized throughout this book.This guide book is easy to read, graphically attractive and is a necessary reference for all those involved with a Selectively Mute child within the school environment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Excellent read for parents
This book was very helpful to not only myself and my SM daughter, but also to her teachers and guidance counselers. Really helps others understand SM and how to deal with it in a classroom setting.

share this with your child's teacher
excellent and specific ideas for reducing classroom anxiety...short enough to share with your child's classroom teacher...

Some good tips, but overpriced
This particular booklet has some good tips and was the most useful of the 4 I purchased by this author.Still, for the price I would recommend investing in Maggie Johnson's The Selective Mutism Resource Manual instead.It is also pricey, but worth every penny.

I also highly recommend Helping Your Child With Selective Mutism: Steps to Overcome a Fear of Speaking which is very useful and reasonably priced.

Perfect Explanation
This book is excellent in defining what a 'Selectively Mute Child' is and goes through.Because of this book, I understand what my child is feeling when he becomes anxious.I not only learned that my child is 'Selectively Mute', but I also learned that I have been all of my life when I thought I was just 'painfully shy.'A reviewer made the comment that this book was overpriced.Maybe when they wrote the review they forgot that there is no set price on what parents pay to help the children that need us.Besides, part of the proceeds goes to a foundation called "Speak Out for Our Children."

The Ideal Classroom Setting for the Selectively Mute Child
Excellent resource book!If you have a child with SM, buy one for each teacher!This was a great book for getting people to understand what my SM child is going through in simple, easy to understand terms...excellent investment for your child's academic progress! ... Read more

Book Description

The minute she had opened the trunk, she knew there wasn't anything like hope in it. Just awful musty things, but each one with a kind of terrible dark halo around it. She picked up that piece of old lace. She saw that stain -- pale, brownish in color. She knew it was blood. Somebody's blood. There was violence in that trunk, and dark secrets, and she did not want to know them.

Customer Reviews (8)

Slow From The Start
Blood Secret by Kathryn Lasky is a book that starts out slow from the beginning. Since I am not very much into Histroical Fictions or Biographys this book was very tiresom to read. You follow the main character Jerry as she finds a mysterious trunk that holds many different stories of her ancestors. Sense the book often changes form Jerry to her ancestors point of veiw it is very hard to follow. Overall I would not recomend this book to someone who is looking for a quick start to lots of action.

Blood Secret.
Jerry hasn't spoken since her mother disappeared. The 14-year-old has been labeled with "elective mutism", and has been bounced from children's homes to foster families until she is finally placed with her great-aunt in New Mexico. After exploring the old family relics in her aunt's basement, the strange objects there seem to call to her. Upon handling them, she somehow relives her family's past history and uncovers family secrets going back to the Spanish Inquisition. She finds out that she is from a long line of secret Jews, which explains why her aunt lights candles and prepares a special meal on Friday evenings without mixing milk and meat.By uncovering these secrets Jerry also finds her voice and begins to speak again.

While Lasky creates an interesting and likeable character in Jerry, there is some confusion about how Jerry is able to discover the stories of her ancestors.Is it a dream?Does she travel back in time? Do ghosts or spirits tell her?Or, do the stories just magically come to her?Additionally, while the family tree in the back of the book is helpful, the six different narratives from the past are difficult to follow and it is hard to figure out how they relate to each other and to Jerry.Several other novels tell the story of the Secret Jews (Secrets in the House of Delgado by Gloria Miklowitz and The Cross by Day, Mezuzzah by Night by Deborah Siegel, for example), however Lasky's story attempts to bring the history to the present day. Ages 12 and up.Reviewed by Rachel Kamin

Truth of the Secrets
Blood Seceret was a thriling story. It Gripped and pulled me in to the book. I loved the way the book not only entertains it makes you think. I didn't knowa lot about the Spanish inquisition: but this book descibes the pain, suffering and fear that all the Jews felt! I felt really connected to the characters through out the story. I felt their joys and pains as they battled the obstacles in their lives. I felt the book could get confusing at times, I didn't know who or what they would be talking about. I didn't like the ending; I felt it didn't tye things together well. It just left he reader hanging. But over all I really enjoyed the book and I highly recommend it to everyone.-Mid-Prairie kid

Interesting, though choppy, historical fiction
I found "Blood Secret" to be a disappointment after enjoying Ms. Lasky's contributions to the Royal Diaries series.The time in history about which the story speaks is a very fascinating, yet turbulent one.Turbulent like the writing itself.Their was no reason to skip around so much, and no solid explanation as to why the main character, Jerry, is able to witness all these things by touching inanimate objects.
Although the Jerry's plight of trying to connect with her heritage left me discontented, the book has piqued my interest in the Spanish Inquistion and all that it touched.

Recommended Reading!
This is the story of Jerry, a selective mute who goes to live with her elderly aunt Constanza after the mysterious disappearance of her mother.Jerry's story takes an interesting turn as she discovers the existence of a trunk full of artifacts in her aunt's cellar.Jerry finds herself drawn to the trunk and its contents and as she delves into the items, she is transported into the world of her ancestors,Jews living in Spain during the time of the Spanish Inquisition.Their stories become part of Jerry's story and her own eventual dealing with her past.While the book's premise is a bit far-fetched, the stories themselves are believable enough and Lasky does an admirable job of pulling you into the story and caring about the events.I learned a good deal about the persecution of the Jews during this time period but I never felt like I was being taught a lesson.Lasky is a good author and this is one of her best.Recommended! ... Read more

Book Description
Understanding Katie is a hands-on storybook written especially for children between the ages of 3-12 years of age who suffer from Selective Mutism and/or social phobia.

Selectively Mute/socially anxious children `cannot speak' and feel afraid when they are in various social situations, such as school.This can be a very isolating feeling.Understanding Katie will help these children realize that they are not alone and there are others in this world who feel as they do.The goal for this book is to help Selectively Mute/socially anxious children identify with Katie's feelings by reading about her trials and tribulations in `a day in the life of' Katie. Children can color and draw on the illustrations as a means of expressing themselves and personalizing Katie. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

very helpful for my daughter
This book was very helpful for my daughter with selective mutism.She realized for the first time that she was not the only kid with this problem.When we received it she read it every night and started to talk about how she felt.We shared this book with her teacher and her best friend, they too had no idea that this was how she felt.My daughter is 8 years old and this book was maybe a bit on the young side for her.It would be great for younger children with selective mutism and for those who need to understand how they feel.

Helpful for parents, teachers and child
I have found all of Dr. Shipon-Blum's materials to be very helpful in the treatment of SM. It is hard sometimes to explain this condition to others in the family, school, etc....this book gives a basic story of a little girl with SM, how she feels, how she acts and how her parents and teachers work to help her. My SM 6-yr-old and his sisters enjoy reading this story, too, and although he does not experience all of the same symptoms, he does relate to Katie, which I think has been helpful. It is a good springboard for discussion with your child. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Cheesy and not helpful
I was recommended this book to help my daughter with Selective Mutism - but the book is barely readable, and so preditable, even my daughter couldn't stand it.I'm not sure we even made it through the whole book once.A total waste of money.

We did much better once we got away from the feel-goodery type of therapy and saw a doctor who addressed the issue with medication. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

A Touching Book
This book is very touching. It's about a young girl who's just moved to America and isn't sure if she'll survive or make friends. And that's until she meets Priscilla, a girl who befriends her and they become stuck together like glue. Readers of all ages will enjoy this short, fast-paced book.

Inspiring and Educational
"The Secret Voice of Gina Zhang" is an important book for children and adults alike to read.In America, we have so many cultures living side by side, it's important for us to attempt to understand one another.Dori Jones Yang successfully creates a book that is enjoyable, educational, and inspiring.I feel many people will enjoy this book because they can relate to, in one way or another, the main character Jinna.After moving to Seattle from China, Jinna (Gina as she is dubbed in English), finds herself unable to communicate in school.Not only can she not understand and speak English, but she finds herself unable to speak AT ALL.Soon after, Gina is befriended by another class outcast, Priscilla, and both children are able to overcome their anxieties and issues with the help of each other's friendship.This is an excellent, inspiring book.I hope to read more books by Dori Jones Yang in the future.

The Best Book EVER!
The Secret Voice of Gina Zhang is one book that you cannot put down. All though in the beginning, it is sort of boring, once you get through a few chapters, you will not stop reading it until you finish.

!!!!!!!
This book deserved 200 stars. I loved it the from the moment i started reading it. It is masterful and wonderful. It is appropriate for a large range of ages (i would say from 8 to 15). The suspense is wonderful, and the ending is MARVELOUS! At the beginning, it may seem a bit dull, but if you read on to the 3 or 4th chapter, you will fall in love and not be able to put this book dowm. The plot is remarkable, and it always seems to have you waiting to see how this wonderfully creative girl will solve new problems. Read this book, and see how GREAT it really is for yourself.

The Secret Voice of Gina Zhang
Dori Yang's ten years in Asia provide her with a rich treasury of Chinese customs.She brings a Chinese family to America and spins exciting yarns.Ms. Yang weaves a colorful tapestry of fantasy, reality, suspense-even desperation.Ultimately, frightening faces become warm and friendly.The language is appropriate and readable for students who need to learn English very quickly.It is an engaging book and important to all students especially to those struggling with our language. ... Read more