Back in the time before computers and television ruled the average household, reading was the primary form of leisure.  Books in hand, children and adults alike would travel to worlds unimaginable and achieve monumental feats with the power of their minds.  Reading was not a chore to be painstakingly completed for homework or an alternative activity to resort to when the power went out on a stormy night.  In fact, one of my most prominent childhood memories includes proudly placing a sticker on the colorful summer reading chart my parents hung on my bedroom door, eagerly awaiting the day when I would have read enough books to earn a trip to the local ice cream parlor.  Or how I treasured the moments spent reading "Dan, Dan the Bandage Man" with my dad, giggling at how the scrawny, young boy featured in the story shared the same name as my strong, invincible father.  Most impressively, I can still to this day sing you every word of the Reading Rainbow theme song.  Thanks to the inspiration and encouragement from my parents and teachers, reading has become an integral part of my life.

Over recent years, I have observed a transformation in society.  Nintendos (or whatever the latest gaming system may be) have replaced stories.  Film versions of classic books trump the literature unfailingly.  And, people are far more likely to be found updating their Ipods than scouring the shelves of the local libraries.  When we do choose to read, we can't help but view the text on an electronic screen; the paper pages are just too outdated.  

However, there is a lot to be learned from the "old-fashioned" book.  Why else would professors ask us to spend no less than $500 a semester at the school bookstore?  Clearly a hidden value remains.  

When I first became interested in special education, my mother began buying me books on the subject and reading became an inspiration.  The authors provided me with a lens into the world of teaching children with special needs and allowed me to explore an area to which I never would have been exposed had it not been for the gift of literature.  The stories I read framed my passion and provoked me to learn more.  Consequently, I am a firm believer that books have certainly not lost their place in today's world or for those of us studying special education.  Rather, they provide insight into those complicated situations which we may someday encounter and expose us to classrooms we might have otherwise been unfamiliar with.  They allow us to learn from other teachers' mistakes and acknowledge the beauty within so many children that we will not be privileged to meet in our lifetime.  Given this, I thought I'd leave you with a list of some of my favorite books about special education and children with disabilities and ask for your recommendations about others that have inspired you to follow this path.  After all, you can never do enough reading!

A Smile As Big As The Moon by Mike Kersjes
This is the true story of Mike Kersjes, a special education teacher who believed his children would benefit greatly from participating in a space program for gifted children sponsored by the US Space and Rocket Center.  He was met with great resistance, as many people were convinced that his class did not have the ability to compete or succeed with the seemingly more suited, "gifted" students.  Despite the challenge, Mike's group became the first ever special education class to win a spot in the program and truly demonstrates what it means to reach for the stars.  

Author Torey Hayden 
Torey Hayden wrote numerous books about her experience as a child psychologist and special education teacher.  She worked with many challenging students, including those affected by severe autism and selective mutism.  Her stories expose the real difficulties of special education and demonstrate the wonderful bond that can built between a teacher and her student when the right strategies are used.  

Uncommon Fathers edited by Donald J. Meyer
This book is a collection of inspiring essays written by fathers who were asked to reflect upon their experiences raising a child affected by a disability.  Their stories are honest and powerful, thus providing a unique perspective on raising a child with special needs that might be especially helpful to teachers trying to understand the family dynamics supporting their classrooms.  

Alandra's Lilacs by Tressa Bower
This is the story of a mother of a deaf daughter who refused to except the doctors' predictions that her daughter would not be able to be educated or participate in the hearing world.  The book details Alandra's experiences in a variety of different learning environments, including an oralist classroom and a residential school for the deaf, and highlights her triumph over the doctor's prognosis.  

Now that you know my favorites, please share yours!  What do you like to read?  Where can students like myself learn more about special education?  Feel free to leave comments!