Joni: An Unforgettable Story
4-8-- Autobiographies of three people who have conquered adversity, all devout Christians who give credit for their success to God. Carson was thought of as "stupid" as a child, until it was determined that poor eyesight was the cause of his academic problems. He became chief pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dravecky's career as a major league baseball player was cut short by a tumor on his pitching arm; he made a brief comeback before the arm had to be amputated. Eareckson was an active teenager when a diving accident left her a quadriplegic. She regained the use of her arms in a long, agonizing process; she has become well known for her art, which she paints with a brush in her mouth. These books, abridged from adult works, have the vocabulary and concepts typical of high-interest, low-vocabulary stories. There are long, technical descriptions in Ben Carson ; both it and Dave Dravecky omit important facts (Carson's mother is dropped from the story once he becomes a medical student; Dravecky doesn't mention how he plans to support his family). The illustrations add little as facial features appear blurred and indistinct. This is unfortunate as the pictures show a lot of action and are numerous and well placed. --Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SCCopyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.