Entertaining, sad, funny, thought-provoking - and ultimately uplifting - this is a novel based on the life of an exceptional man, who happened to be intellectually handicapped. Inspired by the life of the author's intellectually handicapped brother, Ronald Downes, this novel is written in Ronnie's voice as he talks about important things. It's also about him needing all the looking after he can be getting, as we travel with this innocent abroad through an increasingly com...

Channeling their own experiences, sixteen exceptional authors subvert mental health stereotypes in a powerful and uplifting collection of fiction.A teen activist wrestles with protest-related anxiety and PTSD. A socially anxious vampire learns he has to save his town by (gulp) working with people. As part of her teshuvah, a girl writes letters to the ex-boyfriend she still loves, revealing that her struggle with angry outbursts is related to PMDD. A boy sheds uncon...

Once people encounter the natural world and become aware of its intricacy, fragility, beauty, and significance, they will recognize the need for conservation.The fascinating development of natural history studies in North America is portrayed through the life stories of 22 naturalists. The 19th century saw early North American naturalists such as Alexander Wilson, the "Father of American Ornithology," John James Audubon, and Thomas Nuttall describing and illustrating the spectacula...

The Numenius category of birds includes curlews and whimbrels from all over the world. Their soul-stirring cries and incredible migrations are awe-inspiring. Most of the Numenius species are long-distance migrants. They are ground nesting birds that have two very different lifestyles – one on their breeding grounds and another on their non-breeding territories. They are specialists in both places. On their breeding grounds, they usually favor open, often semi-natural habitats where they fe...

Watching how birds conduct themselves teaches us many valuable lessons about the best qualities to have in life. This book combines the personal experiences of a bird lover with scientific studies about their behaviors. It demonstrates how birds show positive qualities.Birds demonstrate many admirable characteristics. They:-make every day count and they keep it simple-try to adapt and be flexible-are vigilant and aware of their surroundings-value cle...

This book describes adventures with birds in San Francisco and other places, involving photography, habitat restoration, and rescue attempts. It follows the experiences of a bird lover and naturalist in places that are very wild, and yet are within walking distance of highly urban centers. The life habits of the birds are described, as well as the effect the birds have on the author.The author's study and love of birds led her to volunteer in the baby bird room at WildCare, a wildl...

Sixteen extraordinary authors subvert mental health stereotypes in this powerful and uplifting mix-genre collection of fiction.A boxer whose strength is tested more outside the ring than in it. A hiker who develops magical powers when her serotonin is finally balanced. A teen activist wrestling with protest-related anxiety and PTSD. A boy whose uncontrollable tears help enable another’s healing …In this inspiring, unflinching, and hope-filled mixed-genre collection, sixteen...