Customer Reviews
The Short Bus Ran Full Circle...Stay on Board for the Full Ride 
2007-08-31
When I initially started the book, I was disappointed that the author seemed to be judging or putting into hierarchy learners such as himself above those with more severe disabilities, HOWEVER, once the bus ran full circle, so to speak, I think so,too, did the author. I felt like I was on the bus driving in a documentary which I found unique and educational. Not only did Mr. Mooney describe the diagnosis of each visitor, he described the history behind the diagnosis (good and bad...showing cultural influences on a diagnosis). I like how Mr. Mooney met a wide variety of people all over the country. As a special education instructional aide, I found once I read the entire book, it had some really key statements about life and society. I found myself marking the pages and will type them up for reference. I recommend the book, Joanna Keating-Velasco, AUTHOR - A IS FOR AUTISM, F IS FOR FRIEND...A Kid's Book on Making Friends with a Child Who Has Autism.
Teachers and parents must read this!! 2007-08-05
I read this book in three sittings! I have ADHD and I never read like that! (I can't!) That's how much I loved it. I had read "Learning Outside the Lines" and it helped me start getting "A's" on all my papers. So I picked up this book. If you are a parent of a child with ADHD or a teacher you have to read this. It puts you inside the lives of people with ADHD and other disabilities. This book inspired me. I gave me courage to tell myself that I am who I am and the world will just have to deal with me as I am!! That's powerful! Get this book. It would be good to read if you don't have a disability but live with people who do. Provides insight into their daily lives.
Simple And Great 2007-08-04
Jonathan Mooney's book was a gift from a former teacher of young children, Marcia Makepeace, or else I would have missed it, as I have no first hand experience with the subject matter, or a particular interest in it. However, from that viewpoint, I can say that The Short Bus is a great way to understand not only the standardization of American education, and, by extension American society, but also the plight of students labeled as not fitting into our modern definition of "normalcy". It points out the terrible unconscious lie we fall into that "...back then they had nothing for my brother, but today they have all kinds of programs". The miracle of so many of these children prevailing against these odds, and the heart-wreching horror wrought by the champions of "standardization" and their beliefs on what constitutes "normalcy" in our society, is astounding.
Most importantly, The Short Bus graphically, and in a very simple way, points out that we are all worthy of love. I am passing this on to my teacher friend Ana Garcia. I highly recommend the book to educators and lay people like myself. It truly sparked an understanding of a vital topic for me.
A Long Journey on a Short Bus 
2007-07-21
This book is a must read for anyone who has ever been "labeled" by those who think that they are educators. Informative, funny and profound. Anyone who has ever struggled with school or has children who are now struggling should find this book a great source of comfort and a gift of hope.
An emotional book with hidden levels which I painfully discovered 2007-07-07
Short bus. I rode a short bus. I hid in the bathroom during round robin reading. I faked sick on Spelling Bee day. I had teachers that were damning but I had teachers and parents who believed in me. I'm one of the "odd" people with ADD and a learning disablity. Now I teach kids with learning disabilities so I have the perspective from both sides. Mooney paints a vivid picture of the darkness a disibility can bring. I cried though this book, but I laughed too. I hope people read this book with a open mind. For every kid with a bad school experience there is a kid with a good one. I wish Mooney could move beyond his bitter anger and make lemonade from the lemons he is sucking on. I think his next book should focus on alcohol and drug abuse of adults with ADD and LD. He might learn something about himself. I gave this book 4 stars because it is beautiful but I wish a could talk to Jonathan and remind him that our world is better because of the stuggle people like us went through. More later, I need to think this one over.
A long journey for a short trip 
2008-02-05
I thought this book was going to offer some hope and practical wisdom.
Rather, its a chronicle of the author's search for validation that offers no real insight into how one can deal with ADD (unless railing against norms helps.) Though the heart of his "success" story is to have graduated from Brown, he does not actually seem to have overcome anything to do so - its just another adventure on his way to who knows where. He's a likeable character and the stories of his trip across country are amusing enough. But I was pretty sick of his obsessive musings about his girlfriend and seriously worried about the families that reached out to him for advice and encouragement for their own "beyond normal" children. He was admittedly not equipped for either, other than to say: I was once a "tard" on the short bus but now I'm here!! I wish him all the best anyway.
Thanks from all of us. 2008-02-01
I didn't ride the short bus; I came from a previous generation. However, Jonathan's experience rang true. I didn't hear any false notes. Getting my doctorate didn't take away the scars from the educational system. But I came from a different era. That's why I couldn't believe my eyes when I read the one negative review posted by J O'neil.
Certain words have an emotional impact and are only said to hurt. To publically shame a LD person for mispelling something is familiar and one of the most abusive things we can experience. It's a not-so-sublte way in our culture to win an agrument or to announce to the world that you think someone is stupid. Spelling is a gift that many LD people don't have, even though we possess many marvelous gifts. Yet O'Neil, a principal of a LD program no-less, did this. What is most disturbing is that this person seems blind to the irony. There are good teachers who fight this sick system, where these attitudes are tolerated. Thanks to J O'neil, the problem is all there in a paragraph--everything that Jonathan articulated. As I said, I found his insights about school true and I thank him for expanding the conversation.
Jonathan also takes on the issue of "normal," something that gets kicked around loosely but seldom discussed in depth. His reflections allowed me to look beyond myself, again, to the bigger question of how we all fit in this larger community. He does this in a way that's both fair and sensitive. Thanks.
The Short Bus is ultimately a celebration of life, providing a roadmap to empowerment and a deep appreciation for diversity. 2007-11-21
What a must-read for all of us! And I do mean all of us. In The Short Bus, Jonathan Mooney travels far outside his own experience and across America to discover for himself (and us) what it means to experience life in America if one is not "normal." His journey and the conclusions he draws from it provide profound contributions to America's self view as a society and culture. It offers a much needed look in the mirror.
The short bus for Jon, and for all students labeled LD, symbolizes the well intentioned but nonetheless painful humiliation administered daily to the children relegated to it. Our children were labeled and then separated from their peers and their classroom because they didn't fit or belong in the classroom with the "normal" kids. Hoping to rediscover and heal from the pain inflicted by these experiences, Jon tours some of America's other labeled individuals: a deaf and blind student who curses her teachers in sign language, an eccentric man with Aspergers who creates his own community connections in remarkable ways, and a young woman with Down Syndrome who is so unforgettable, her story continues to both haunt and comfort me long after putting the book down. With each individual, Jon explores his own feelings of wariness, prejudice and confusion that most of us experience but rarely admit when we confront folks who are clearly "not normal" or "disabled." He comes to know each of them, overcoming his feelings and soon understands their incredible gifts and how important they are to us as a community. We see, as he sees, the important and precious place each holds in the fabric of society. As we become increasingly engaged with our new acquaintances and learn to appreciate them in inimitable ways, we begin to cry out against "the tyranny of normalcy" because we discover how thoroughly the notion of "normalcy" threatens the heart of humanity.
It is a coming of age story, to be sure, but The Short Bus is far more important and much bigger than a personal journey. In addition, Jon's research and analysis provide us with a historical, medical and sociological context for the labels assigned to each of the marvelous individuals we meet on the short bus. Jon's voice is always honest and questioning, his insight intelligent and boundless, and of course, the book, like the author, is rich in humor.
The Short Bus is ultimately a celebration of life, providing a roadmap to empowerment and a deep appreciation for diversity, underscoring society's need to do so. It's an honest, painful, humorous and always engaging journey, and it's well worth the ride.
Should be required reading for everyone working in Special Programs in the Public School System 2007-11-06
This author came to speak to my son's class in Oakland. My son came home raving about Jonathan and how he "really really gets it." I ordered this book and could not put it down. As a parent of twins with LD, I can tell you, he really, really gets it. My sons have had the same type of classes/teachers described in the book, and yes, they are out there and they do exist. I know,let's blame the parents for abdicating responsiblity and basically being the problem. All parents of special needs kids have heard the same responses from the employees of the public system. The system "sucks" and we/they continue to deny it. I plan on giving this book to all my friends for Christmas. Read it. Even if this is not your kid, I can attest to the fact that there are millions of these "lost kids" out there with no heroes out there to rescue them.
Read This Book 2007-10-01
I rarely have any time for reading, but I made the time for this book. I finished it last night around 3:00 am. Jonathan Mooney is honest and insightful and isn't afraid to set aside his perspective in order to uncover the capacities and beauty and communal connection of others. Ok, now that I have waxed philosophical, let me say that I have a child who has Down Syndrome and this book made me a better parent, not necessarily because of my child's "disability", but because I now have a better understanding of every person's right to a place in my community, in your community all over the world, every person. After reading this book it will be harder for anyone to justify extreme prejudice or segregation, which is more alive and well in our country and any of us would care to admit. Thank You Jonathan.
