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 first rescue was P.J., the black and white Pomeranian in the story. She also adopted the orange Pomeranians Shelby and Lil Rascal, and of course, Chance, the big black Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix. All characters in the story are based on Sandra's real life family. The book is filled with softly blended watercolor 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.
This short book (only 28 pages) has a significant message and is easy to read. Chance is a shelter dog who is adopted into a family where the young boy is autistic. The child is also adopted and Chance doesn't understand what that word means. Both of them adopted into a warm and loving home but the only one who understands Ryan is Chance. A beautiful book with a great message about accepting those with a challenge unconditionally.
The artwork is beautiful and the book is based upon a true story, Sandra's real life family.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandra J. Gerencher is a special education teacher in the Bangor Area public school system. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked at Lehigh University in a school-based program, as a Program Specialist for adults with disabilities. Over the past 20 years she has worked with children and adults with special needs in such areas as counseling, Behavior Specialist Consultation, behavioral research, crisis intervention and abuse therapy. Sandra graduated from Lehigh University with a M.Ed. in Special Education (2004) and from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia with an M.S. in Counseling Psychology (1999).
Awards:
PBS Kids Recommended title
http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/family/adoption/print_books.html
Book web site:
http://www.chancetheshelterdog.com/
Sandra J. Gerencher Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1579236662
Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com/
NEXT TOUR STOP: Jan 29 Bookingly Yours
Love the Eeyore introduction to the comments section - he's definitely one of my childhood favorites. I remember having a "Winnie the Pooh" Go-Fish card game as a child and I always loved asking everyone, "Do you have any Eeyores?"
ReplyDeleteThanks again for sharing SECOND CHANCE with the wonderful readers of Minding Spot. We appreciate your help in getting the word out there to parents of adopted or autistic children. Thanks for pointing out that the book is based on Sandra's real life family. She is the mom of an adopted, autistic son.
Best wishes,
Nicole
Tribute Books