This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Lori and her family live in the Philadelphia area where she has worked in behavioral health as a TSS, therapeutic support specialist, with special needs children for more than 6 years.
Their oldest daughter, Leah, was diagnosed at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital with Autism Spectrum Disorder when she was 2 years old.
Her articles have appeared in Spectrums Magazine, The Autism Notebook Magazine, Autism Matters, Autism World Magazine, and Autism Spectrum Quarterly.
She serves as a parent consultant with PEAC - The Pennsylvania Education for All Coalition, an organization that supports inclusive classroom placement for special needs children. Her daughter's inclusion in the regular educational setting as well as summer camp has been a major contributor to her progress. Children with different abilities being included among their peers at school and in their community is something she strongly supports.
She is the recipient of the 2014 Temple Grandin Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Award for her book, Leah's Voice.
Reviewed by Kristie Ingerto for Readers' Favorite
"Leah's Voice," written by Lori DeMonia and illustrated by Monique Turchan, is a great story about accepting each and every person and treating everyone with respect and kindness. Logan's older sister Leah is on the autism spectrum; however, Logan does not realize this or really think about the differences and the problems it may cause until she has a play date. Abby has never met anyone like Leah and is not willing to understand or make exceptions for how she thinks things should be. For example, Abby does not want to play a game with her and Logan as she cannot sit and play. She takes her turn, gets up and leaves and then returns when it is her turn again. After an article is published about Leah and the art that she creates, Abby realizes that she was not acting nicely toward her and learns that she needs to treat Leah as she would anyone else.
This is a great story that discusses children with special needs. All children should read it as it can be difficult for children to play together if someone has special needs. This story provides examples of situations that may arise and cause tension so that children cannot be happy. For example, Logan missed out on seeing a movie as Leah could not handle going into the theater. The lesson shared at the end of the story is an important one for children to learn and one that adults should also remember day after day. The illustrations throughout the book are well-done as they are bright, filled with detail and go along with the text nicely.
