PBS Kids named Second Chance: How Adoption Saved a Boy with Autism and His Shelter Dog by Sandra J. Gerencher of Bethlehem, Pa. to its “Great Books About Adoption” recommended reading list in the nonfiction category.
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.
The list is a part of PBS Kids’ “It’s My Life” which deals with life and the stuff that kids deal with every day. Whatever problem a child is dealing with, believe it or not, other kids and teens have gone through the same thing. At “It’s My Life”, kids can read informative articles, share stories, play games and activities, take quizzes and polls, watch video clips of other kids talking about their feelings and experiences, get advice from older kids and experts, and contribute comments and questions. “It’s My Life” also features interviews with celebrities about stuff they had to go through when they were kids.
“It’s My Life” is organized across six topic “channels”: Friends, Family, School, Body, Emotions, and Money.
No subject is off-limits. The aim is to cover issues important to kids, and the site is filled with young people’s comments, ideas, and questions sent in from all over the world. “It’s My Life” is for kids, about kids, and most importantly, by kids. After all, it’s YOUR life!
“It’s My Life” is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting through its “Where Fun and Learning Click” initiative to create safe, engaging, and educational online media for kids aged 9 to 12.
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