The Short Bus Paperback – May 27, 2008

I loved this book. The Short Bus tells of Mooney's coast to coast trip across American is a short, yellow bus interviewing special needs individuals. As the trip progresses he not only details the unique and inspirational people he meets, but also develops his own philosophy of what it means to be labeled "special needs" in American. He gives an enlightening history and background to the plight of those who struggle with being a special needs learner in America in the past 100 years. Mooney himself was designated a special needs learner as a child and articulates his own struggle then and now with that label. This book is insightful and thought provoking. It is also a fun read as the reader travels across the country on this unlikely adventure. I highly recommend this book.

I read "Learning Outside the Lines" years ago when my son was young. Regardless of what teachers say, the life of a child who learns differently is a miserable life. Like teachers say, the best 3 things about school are June, July, and August vacation.This book will help open up the dialog between teachers and their "unusual" students. It's no great sin to be learning (teaching) disabled, but it's no great honor, either, especially in the public school system whose main goal is to treat everyone the same. If there is trouble in that, it's not THEIR problem...they choose to place the blame solely on the young child who ends up feeling defective.How great that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger...

So this book came highly recommended and was also mandatory reading material for my major. Personally I did not feel as though the ideas were all that new, wild, or enlightening. But then again, I am from Olympia... so I guess "weird" is not that weird to me. Now that I live in NYC I am surprises at how bland and narrow minded people can be, even in a huge and "progressive" city. Apparently not everyone appreciates individuality. The book is a good read with some interesting characters. I just didn't feel like it was as epic and transcending as some people indicated to me. I thought he was actually pretty "normal" all along.

this book was something assigned for on of my junior college lvl classes. we had to read to get a feel for an aspect of how people perceive disability in society. i think that the unique perspective of the author brings some real insight to how people in and out of the disability "community" if you would react to each other. this my be only one perspective but it is one that was well thought out. worth the read to broaden your vision if the topic of disability is new to you.

As a special education teacher, I was very excited to read this book. As much as we love and accept our students for who they are, its often hard to see and understand life through their eyes. I thought this book may help me do so and provide me with relatable experiences, but it did not live up to my expectations. It was a good story overall ... but was a slow read.

I had the pleasure of hearing mr. Mooney address the freshman class at university of Idaho this week. His book is the "common read" selection for this year for U of I. I read his book and was very glad my son is attending a school that is supporting the ideas expressed in this excellent story. Please read this book. It will let give you the gift of a new perspective on education, human dignity and how we as a society define normal (and the price we pay for that ridgid definition).Mike

This outstanding book is a must-read for everyone navigating the murky waters of public education and facing discrimination due to a perceived or real disability. Mooney does a bangup job dispelling the myth of normalcy and the damage. Anyone who cares about equity, fair play and justice for all students must read this book!

I really enjoyed this book. It really brought to light what it is like to have any type of disability. We meet several individuals throughout the book and the author makes it very personal. However I think at times the narrator could be hypocritical about his own disability. My favorite theme of the book is really the definition of normal. I think there's no normal no matter who you are. I think it is important to embrace uniqueness. Overall very good book especially for high school or college students to read like myself.