Knowing Joseph | 
 enlarge | Author: Judith Mammay
Publisher: Blooming Tree Press
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
Buy New: $10.29
You Save: $3.66 (26%)
New (7) from $10.29
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 367989
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.6 x 0.8
ISBN: 1933831057
EAN: 9781933831053
ASIN: 1933831057
Publication Date: April 22, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW and IN STOCK - dispatched within 48 hours from the US
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Product Description
Brian would give anything to have a normal six-year-old brother one who doesn't scream that normal sounds are too loud, or a brother who would play with other kids. Instead, he has Joseph, his autistic brother. Life with Joseph isn't easy. Brian constantly finds himself defending Joseph from kids that understand Joseph even less than Brian does. It takes a new friend and a school project before Brian can begin to know Joseph.
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| Customer Reviews:
Frustration, Empathy, and Love June 19, 2008
A wonderful book for any family with a youngster at risk. Although, focused specifically on the sibiling of an autistic brother, the emotional ups and downs pertain to children within families of special needs children. Told with honest emotions about a young boy trying to cope with his brother's disability and it's impact on his everyday life. Brian clearly loves his brother, Joseph, but struggles with the anger, hurt, and frustration his brother's odd behaviors brings upon him. Brian finds himself second to Joseph within the family dynamics due to the demands of his brother's care. He finds himself having to explain and defend Joseph in school and at play. Brian is bullied and threatened because of Joseph in social situations. Brian is every young boy coming of age, but with the added conflict between anger and love of his brother, Joseph. Well written and a unique book for exploration of tolerance and acceptance by all children.
Great for teachers & students June 4, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Judith Mammay's debut novel, Knowing Joseph, opens with a little kid making a scene in a bowling alley parking lot. Brian Bertram walks away from him. "I'm glad I don't know that kid!" he says.
But the boy kicking and screaming and throwing himself on the ground is Brian's autistic brother, Joseph. So begins Brian's struggle -- to deal with his brother, to defend him, and ultimately, with the help of a surprising new friend, to understand him.
Author Judith Mammay is one of my online critique partners. I always enjoy her writing, so I picked up JOSEPH expecting to like it. I wasn't disappointed, and I was especially taken with the details that let readers see Joseph as a real person and not just "the kid with autism." Knowing Joseph is a natural book choice for older siblings of autistic kids, since Brian grows to model so many caring, supportive strategies for helping his brother. It's a great title for schools, too, because it helps readers understand what's behind scenes like the temper tantrum at the bowling alley. And understanding leads to acceptance.
This book has many of the same themes as Cynthia Lord's Rules, another one of my favorites. Knowing Joseph is probably geared toward a slightly younger audience, though. I'm guessing the 8-10 crowd will like it best, and it has nice big print and plenty of white space so reluctant readers won't be intimidated. Kudos to the Blooming Tree Press design team for making sure this book will be accessible to kids with special needs, too.
Perfect book to teach children about autism! May 11, 2008
Knowing Joseph is an engrossing, touching book about a young boy trying to deal with his 6-year old autistic brother. For 10-year old Brian, living with his brother Joseph isn't easy. Joseph doesn't play with other children, screams when something bothers him, and constantly needs special attention.
To make matters worse, Mom and Dad are so preoccupied with Joseph's ups and downs they hardly have the time to pay attention to Brian, which isn't fair. Still, Brian does his best, always trying to make Joseph comfortable and protect him from the school bullies - but does he really know Joseph?
One day at the beach during a family camping trip, Brian meets an older boy who enlightens him about autism. He not only opens a whole new window of knowledge for Brian, but for other children as well. As a result, Brian and Joseph become closer than ever.
Later, back at school, the children are given an assignment. They must work in groups and make a presentation on their chosen subject: children with disabilities. To Brian's chagrin, the teacher announces that the class bully must be part of their group. As the children make their presentations, it becomes obvious the class bully has some special needs as well - not like those of Joseph, the boy he had been bullying all along.
Knowing Joseph is a must read for children ages nine and up. In an engaging style, Mammay teaches the reader what autism is all about and how to treat children who have this disability. She does this by presenting the characters and the story, not by preaching, which is why middle readers will enjoy this novel.
The plot is interesting and compelling. The dialogues, characters, and plot appeal to young readers. Ultimately, it is a book that not only informs, but also one that teaches the true meaning of kindness and compassion.
Autism Awareness for Siblings, Peers &...basically anyone! April 29, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I couldn't put this book down and read the entire chapter book in one day. I enjoyed getting to know the many characters and how they interacted with each other and our character, Joseph, who just so happens to have autism. Joseph's brother, Brian, is challenged throughout the book to be a good brother to Joseph, but is also struggling with bullies and peer pressure. Finding friends to support him along the way helps him to learn not only more about his brother, but about friendship and just what makes a bully a bully.
I think that this upper elementary chapter book would be a terrific book on its own. However, I think it would be a super book for sibling support groups for kids in families with autism. I also think that it would be a great introduction to autism for elementary school classes, peer assisted learning volunteers or community groups especially those that will be welcoming a student with autism into their presence. Lastly, I think anyone would get a wonderful introduction to what autism is while enjoying a inspiring story that comes full circle. I would recommend this book to be in every school, church and class library.
The book makes us pause to think...what do I do well? And what does he do well? What does she do well? Instead of concentrating on our differences, it focuses on concentrating and supporting each other's strengths.
Kudos to Judith Mammay for a wonderful story of friendship, compassion and understanding.
Joanna Keating-Velasco, Author
A Is for Autism F Is for Friend: A Kid's Book for Making Friends with a Child Who Has Autism
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