Donald R Gallo

Owning It: Stories About Teens with Disabilities Donald R Gallo

Brief Description: Presents ten stories of teenagers facing all of the usual challenges of school, parents, boyfriends and girlfriends, plus the additional complications that come with having a physical or psychological disability. Marc Notes: Presents ten stories of teenagers facing all of the usual challenges of school, parents, boyfriends and girlfriends, plus the additional complications that come with having a physical or psychological disability.; 1; 012-017. Biographical Note: Donald R. Gallo is the nation's foremost anthologist of short stories for young people and a recipient of the ALAN Award for outstanding contributions to young adult literature. Among his award-winning anthologies are WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?, DESTINATION UNEXPECTED, and FIRST CROSSING. He lives in Solon, Ohio. Review Quotes: Everything is under control as far as Brad is concerned. Is he the only one who doesn't see there's a problem? Here's to Good FriendsDAVID LUBAR "Spit out that gum!" I hate it when teachers shout. What's his problem? I looked up at Mr. Forester, who was huffing down the aisle toward my desk. First period on Monday, you'd think he'd have the decency to let us ease back into the grind. School's enough of a drag without having to plunge right into quadratic equations, the Great Depression, or the use and misuse of the gerund. "Ratner, spit out that gum right now. I asked you three times. Are you deaf ?" "Me?" Mr. Forester pressed right up against my desk. "Is there another Brad Ratner in the room?" "If there is, I hope he did my homework." I heard some choked-back laughs from around the room. I glanced over at Jordie and grinned. Forester bent forward and got right in my face. "Now." I pushed my chair away from the desk and walked over to the garbage can. Patoooee. Thunk. I love the sound gum makes when you spit it into a can. I wonder if there's some kind of career where I could do that. Wouldn't that be awesome? I could see myself like one of those street musician guys with the wild hair and shaggy beard. Playing the gum can. Yeah. I could set up different cans, with different sounds. Pass the hat. Make enough money to buy more gum. Maybe get famous and be in Rolling Stone. Brad Ratner, world's best rhythm spitter. Of course, a beard might be a bad idea, with all that gum. Crap. Forester was shouting again. I headed back to my seat. Almost tripped, but I caught myself. Maybe I should tie my laces. Not cool, but definitely less trippy. Forester glared at me and shook his head. "Every day, Ratner. It's getting old." Yeah, so are you. At least he left me alone for the rest of the period. I met up with Jordie in the hall when the bell rang. "You better watch it," he sPublisher Marketing: From an acclaimed anthologist, a stellar collection of stories about teens with disabilities -- and the tenacity, spirit, and humor that drive them. Chris Crutcher takes us on a wild ride through the mind of a teen with ADD, while David Lubar's protagonist gets a sobering lesson from his friends. In Gail Giles's tale, Brad can't help barking at his classmates but finds understanding when he gives a comical (and informative) presentation to his entire school. And Robert Lipsyte introduces us to an elite task force whose number-one enemy is cancer. Whether their disabilities are physical or psychological, the subjects of these powerful short stories -- written by ten outstanding young adult authors -- meet every day with wit, intelligence, and courage. Review Citations:

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2008 pg. 247 (EAN 9780763632557, Hardcover)

School Library Journal 05/01/2008 pg. 124 (EAN 9780763632557, Hardcover)

Voice of Youth Advocates 08/01/2008 (EAN 9780763632557, Hardcover)

Wilson Middle/Junior Hi Catalo 01/01/2008 pg. 199 (EAN 9780763632557, Hardcover)

Hornbook Guide to Children 10/01/2008 pg. 443 (EAN 9780763632557, Hardcover)

Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2008 pg. 443 (EAN 9780763632557, Hardcover)

Wilson Middle/Junior Hi Catalo 01/01/2009 pg. 1072 (EAN 9780763632557, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  Gallo, Donald R Although he almost always had a lead role in elementary school plays as well as church pageants, Don Gallo's dramatic interests ended abruptly one Easter Sunday when he was unable to recall a single word from a memorized passage he was attempting to recite at the morning church service. Any theatrical talents he may possess have since been utilized only in English classroom and lecture halls. Dr. Gallo, who has been a junior high school English teacher and reading specialist, is a professor of English at Central Connecticut State University, where he supervises student teachers and teaches courses in writing and in literature for young adults. He lives in West Hartford, Connecticut. He has edited three collections of short stories written by Famous writers of books for young adults; Sixteen, Visions, and Connections; and he has written a critical biography of author Richard Peck. His most recent book is a collection of autobiographies of notable young adult authors called Speaking for Ourselves.