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Type of bind: Paperback
EAN num: 9780981461922
ISBN number: 0981461921
Label: Tribute Books
Manufacturer: Tribute Books
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 28
Printing Date: April 14, 2008
Publishing house: Tribute Books
Age index: Ages 9-12
Sale Popularity Level: 562406
Studio: Tribute Books
Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
The timeless tale of a boy (with autism) and his (shelter) dog. Over the past 10 years, author Sandra Gerencher has been on a mission to save dogs from high-kill animal shelters. Her very first rescue was P.J., the grey and white Pomeranian in the story. She also adopted the orange Pomeranians Shelby and Lil Rascal, and of course, Chance, the big grey Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix. All characters in the story are based on Sandra's real life family. The book is filled with softly blended watercolour photos of her loved ones. Her most significant adoption was her son, Terry. He was considered a special needs child because he was born with a genetic disorder known as Fragile X Syndrome. The disorder can cause many cognitive disorders, such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mental retardation and depression.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
Second Chance is a wonderful little book that accomplishes a great deal in a relatively small number of warm and wonderfully illustrated pages. First and foremost, it explains adoption in terms that any child can understand - and it does so in an interesting way, via the point of view of Chance, a shelter dog rescued by the author and brought home to live with her, her son, and their three other dogs. The lady keeps talking about adoption, but Chance doesn't understand what that means, nor does he understand what the lady means by his getting a second chance.
Like Chance, Ryan was also adopted, but there is something special about Ryan - he has autism and several related disorders. That doesn't bother Chance at all; in fact, he relates more to this little boy than he does to his new Pomeranian brothers and sister (who aren't as quick to welcome a large, energetic puppy into their lives). In fact, it is Ryan who helps Chance learn just what adoption means. The boy may have bounced around between foster homes rather than being caged up in a shelter, but Chance recognizes how similar their situations were - and he is thrilled to learn that he now has a permanent home with a family who will always love him and take care of him. Adoption, as Ryan tells him, means to be loved forever.
The most telling part of this whole story is the communication between Chance and Ryan. The boy's autism makes communication with other people problematic, yet he can understand Chance just fine. He even looks Chance in the eye when he talks to him - in complete sentences, no less - which is something he never does when talking to humans. This bond formed between Chance and Ryan obviously proves mutually beneficial to them both - and is the very heart of the book.
Chance's early impressions of Ryan (such as his penchant for chewing on his collar) are likely quite similar to a child's very first reaction to such a special needs child. That being the case, this book definitely has the potential to help children understand and interact more easily with any friends or family members who have special needs. This is by no means a primer on the nature of autism, but the book does provide a degree of insight into the nature of the condition.
Sandra J. Gerencher's story is as heart-warming as it is instructive, largely because Second Chance is the author's own story - more specifically, the story of the unique bond between her own adopted son Terry (who was born with Fragile X Syndrome) and her rescued shelter dog Chance. The warm and fuzzy watercolour photos that fill each page are of her real-life family of boy and dogs, each one of which was given the gift of a second chance for a happy and healthy life by this caring woman. Having worked with special needs children and adults for over 20 years, Gerencher knows the unique qualities such children have to offer. She also knows the joys that innocent dogs rescued from high-kill animal shelters bring to people's lives. The publication of Second Chance is really just an extension to the important advocacy work Sandra Gerencher has been doing throughout her adult life.
Rated by buyers -
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R6TG7VV1THM93
Rated by buyers -
Having just finished The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, I looked forward to reading a different kind of story about a boy and his dog. This slim volume speaks chapters and volumes about the power of love we can bring to others by giving them a second chance, whether they are orphan boys or dogs in an animal shelter waiting for adoption. Although most of the book comes from a dog's perspective, the love that Ms. Gerencher has for other people and animals comes through the strongest. It's a love that should inspire us all.
This book will be heart-warming reading for any child who has been adopted. In addition, any child who is autistic will feel affirmed by what Ms. Gerencher has to say. Finally, anyone who has thought about adopting a pet from a shelter will realize the full humanity of making that choice.
If you know a youngster who is about 7-10 years old who needs to count his or her blessings, this is a good book to buy as a gift. It will mean the most, however, if you read it aloud to the youngster the very first time so you can convey the full emotion in the book.
I especially liked the interior illustrations which are more attractive than the cover one and show a sensitive approach to impressionistic ways of capturing the universal.
Buy this book and enjoy!
Rated by buyers -
Sandra J. Gerencher addresses many issues in her well-written, entertaining, informative book SECOND CHANCE. Not only is this a tale that deserves wide attention among proponents of animal shelters and readers seeking a degree of understanding of autism, it also stands alone as a beautifully illustrated (by Virginia Cody) book for informing children about the concept of adoption. For this reader this book is one of the finest explanations for sharing the meaning of adoption with youngsters - a definite assist to parents who adopt and are searching for the best way to discuss the topic with their family.
But Gerencher goes further than the usual author of books for children by engaging the reader using a dog's view of the process. The warmly human 'lady' of the story goes to the animal shelter, adopts a German Shepherd/Rottweiler pup that is seemingly unwanted, and takes the pup 'Chance' home - adopting (a strange word to the narrator Chance) yet another animal for her houseful of Pomeranians. The manner in which Chance interacts with his new 'brothers' as well as his bonding with the lady's adopted autistic son Ryan offers the crux of the story, a story that explains the nurturing and care and sense of family that occurs with the concept of the term 'adoption'.
In Gerencher's gently elegant style of writing the story avoids being maudlin and instead focuses on the wisdom of both animals and humans in exploring, understanding and integrating Adoption as a means of illustrating an extended family, or in other words a `second chance' at life. And by electing to set the typeface of the narration superimposed on the beautifully realized watercolor-like manipulated photography of each of the dogs and the boy, this book becomes an art piece as well. As with other authors who offer subtitles to their books, Gerencher opens her fountain of knowledge and experience in her addressed fields by adding the subtitle 'How Adoption Saved A Boy With Autism and His Shelter Dog'. This book is a fine achievement in literature, in children's books, and in teaching resources for every reader, no matter the age. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, May 08
Rated by buyers -
I did the artwork for the cover on this book before I'd even read the story. When the publisher sent me a copy of the finished product, I took it upon myself to give the whole book a good read. I was delighted! Not only does the story tug at your heart.... and make you wish you could be equally giving in your own life .... the blurred photographic images throughout the book seem like wonderful watercolors! As the adoptive parent to several canines and felines myself, I can safely say that Ms. Gerencher is just the kind of person I want to be associated with. Her heart is truly in the right place. Bravo!
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