Date: Tue, 4 Jul 1995 11:43:37 -0800 From: jessea@uclink2.berkeley.edu (Jessea NR Greenman) The following information is brought to you through the graciousness of Eileen Durgin-Clinchard, Ph.D. PFLAG Northern Plains Regional Director for more info please feel free to email at jeaneileen@aol.com Books About HIV/AIDS for Children and Youth Annotation and compilation by Eileen Durgin-Clinchard, Ph.D. Stories are important ways to bring one's own experiences into focus and to surface feelings too often buried or denied. Stories about HIV/AIDS for children who themselves have HIV/AIDS, or who have a loved one or friend with AIDS, are vitally important to them and to the adults in their lives. These stories serve as a bridge for caring adults to talk with children about this very sensitive subject. Whether used for education, of adults and children alike, or as a means to open communication, these publications are a valuable resource. Sometimes children's books provide the simple messages that adults find healing as well. As a friend of mine says, "May the edges of your pain be softened." This list consists of fiction and non-fiction and is not intended to be comprehensive. There are many other biographical and autobiographical books on the market that would also be well worth exploring. This list is not caregiver or medically oriented. The age range is from juvenile picture books through high school and young adult. Durant, Penny R. (1992) WHEN HEROES DIE. New York: Athenum ($13.95) Gary lives with his single Mom and the strong presence of his Uncle Rob in their lives until Uncle Rob is diagnosed with AIDS. Gary must face not only the loss of his uncle, a hero to him, but also the fact that Rob is gay. The issues of homosexuality and the stereotypes he knows about pose problems which Gary must wrestle with from the his Jr. High perspective. In addition, dealing with death and remembrance are part of the resolution in this valuable story. Good for ages 10 and up. ISBN # 0-689-31764-6. Girard, Linda W. (1991) ALEX, THE KID WITH AIDS. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Co. ($5.95) The story of a child (4th grade) with AIDS who takes advantage of being sick until finally it all catches up with him and he, and others, learn that while AIDS is an issue it is not an excuse. Good story line, with the educational messages needed to address common fears around casual contact with people with HIV/AIDS. ISBN # 0-8075-0247-2. Gleitzman, Morris (1991) TWO WEEKS WITH THE QUEEN. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons ($14.95) moving and funny story. Colin's younger brother becomes ill with a terminal disease. Colin is sent to stay with his Aunt in England to 'protect' him. He searches for a doctor who can cure his brother and instead finds a man caring for a friend who is dying of AIDS. Colin's new friend helps him learn to face death and dying with love and compassion instead of denial and fear. Warm and real. (10 yrs.-up) ISBN #0-399-22249-9 Hausherr, Rosemarie (1989) CHILDREN AND THE AIDS VIRUS. ($5.95) This book explains in simple terms what HIV/AIDS virus is and how it can, and cannot, be transmitted. There is a sub-text for parent-figures to read for their own information and more information about the people in the story in the back of the book. Photos, real people. ISBN # 0-395-51167-4. Jordan, MaryKate. (1989) LOSING UNCLE TIM. Niles, IL: Albert Whitman. $12.95. Gently and beautifully told this book is a must for any loving family dealing with loss by death, especially to AIDS. Not only does it provide simple information about why it's safe to be around people with AIDS, but the story line leads the reader through the child's stages of grief in coming to terms with his Uncle Tim's illness, his death, funeral and memories afterward. Multifaceted and poignant. ISBN # 0-8075-4756-5. (Now in paperback also.) Katz, Illan (1994) ed.Stanley Schwartz MD, PhD. UNCLE JIMMY. ($10) Northridge, CA: Real Life Story Books. In this book about an Uncle with AIDS we find a man living with a positive outlook and hope for the future, along with the reality of the seriousness of the disease. Informs that casual transmission of HIV does not occur. ISBN # 1-882388-09-7 Kerr, M.E. (1987) NIGHT KITES. Harper ($2.75) Fiction. A high school boy learns that his beloved older brother has IDS and may be coming home to live. The book deals mostly with the younger brother and his relationships, especially his friendship with a girl who is viewed as "different". Differences are dealt with as a part of the reality of life, not as a basis for pre-judging. Kittredge, Mary (ed.) (1991) TEENS WITH AIDS SPEAK OUT. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Julian Messner (Simon & Schuster, Inc.) ($8.95) Non-fiction for adolescents by adolescents who are living with HIV and AIDS. Personal stories are good for discussion with Jr. High and High School youth, and for their personal reading. This book also features definitions, background, resources, and suggestions for further reading. ISBN # 0-671-74543-3. Kuklin, Susan (1989) FIGHTING BACK: What some people are doing about AIDS New York: Putnam & Sons ($13.95) Non-fiction. This is a dramatic and moving story of an inside view of people living with AIDS and their caregivers. It brings reality to the disease through personal stories and photographs. Levy, Marilyn. (1990) RUMORS AND WHISPERS. New York: Juniper Fawcett ($2.95); fiction. Cover indicates subject matter, AIDS & gay people in distant places; but Sarah, in a new high school, learns that neither gay people nor AIDS is far away after all. She learns that her brother is gay and that a respected art teacher has AIDS. Merrifield, Margaret. (1990) COME SIT BY ME. Toronto, Canada: Women's Press ($6.95) For primary age children about a child who has a classmate with HIV/AIDS. Provides parents, teachers, caregivers with accurate, clear and age-appropriate teaching guide. Better still it is a delightful story of a child who sets the example for the meaning of friendship. ISBN # 0-88961-141-6 Newman, Leslea (1995) TOO FAR AWAY TO TOUCH. New York: Clarion Press ($14.95) I found this by accident at the public library when looking up Leslea Newman, autor of HEATHER HAS TWO MOMMIES. A beautifully illustrated book with a very moving story line. Once again Newman has dealt with a difficult subject with compassion, gentleness, remembrance, and love. This story does not duplicate others and features a little girl and her uncle and his partner. ISBN # 0-395-68968-6. Quinlan, Patricia (1994) TIGER FLOWERS ($14) New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. In this new book a little boy's uncle dies of AIDS and the child must learn to remember him with love as well as sadness. His younger sister is too little to understand, but the boy finds solace in a metaphor of tigers in the zoo and the tiger lilies his uncle had loved. ISBN # 0-8037-1407-6. Schilling, Sharon & Mossburg, M. (1988) MY FRIEND AND AIDS: A CHILD'S STORY OF FRIENDSHIP IN A WORLD WITH AIDS. P.O. Box 935, Parker, CO, 80134: "A Way With Words". ($9.95) A true story of AIDS in a school setting. Illustrated with fine photographs and a touching story line of young friendship. Gently but clearly told information about how HIV/AIDS is, and is not, transmitted, and pictures of typical play activities common to all children. (no ISBN #) Schilling, Sharon (1989) MY NAME IS JONATHAN AND I HAVE AIDS. Denver, CO: Prickly Pair Publishing Co. ($12.95) The photographic true story with simple text of a little boy, his family, and his life with AIDS. It explains clearly what AIDS is, does to your body, and how it cannot be transmitted by casual contact. Moving and educational. As of 1994 this youngster is still living with AIDS. ISBN # 0-9627186-02. Starkman, Neal (1988) Z'S GIFT. Seattle, WA: Comprehensive Health Education =46oundation. ($5.95) Zach and his classmates learn that their teacher, Mrs. Brown has AIDS. This is a touching story of the children's love for their teacher and their confusion about adults' attitudes. Education about AIDS, largely initiated by Zach's persistent questions, brings some understanding and compassion into the picture. Over the summer Mrs. Brown dies but she leaves a gift for Zach. Strongly recommended. ISBN # 0-935529-08-X. Wiener, L.S., Best, A., & Pizzo, P.A. (1994) BE A FRIEND: CHILDREN WHO LIVE WITH AIDS ($13.95) Morton grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Co. In children's own words and drawings this book is one that speaks to all ages out of the mouths of the children children of mothers with AIDS, siblings with AIDS, and children living with their own disease process. The lack of denial, squarely facing reality, and living with hope are direct and strong messages. ISBN # 0-8075-0590-0. ------ The preceding list is the creation of Eileen Durgin-Clinchard, Ph.D. PFLAG Northern Plains Regional Director =46or more info please feel free to email at *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CROSS POST WITH ATTRIBUTION Jessea Greenman Co-Founder, Project 21; ph/fax: 510-601-8883 586 62nd St. Oakland, CA 94609-1245 "All persons, regardless of sexual orientation, should be afforded equal opportunity within the public education system." National Education Association, 1988