Don't Call Me Marda - Softcover

Welch, Sheila Kelly

4.4

5 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0961187247 ISBN 13: 9780961187248

Publisher: Our Child Pr, 1990

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Marsha feels apprehensive about her parents' plans to adopt a retarded child

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About the Author:

In Don?t Call Me Marda, Sheila Kelly Welch writes from experience. Six of her seven children were adopted. Her short stories have appeared in numerous publications, including Cricket, Girls? Life, and Cicada. Two of her most popular books are Little Prince Know-It-All and A Horse for All Seasons. Her novel, The Shadowed Unicorn was nominated for The Prairie Pasque Award.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-6-- Marsha O'Dell, 11, has been looking forward to the new younger sister her parents are planning to adopt. In addition to having fun with her, she hopes to teach her sister to ride the beloved pony that is now too small for her so she won't have to sell it. Marsha's imaginings are threatened when she realizes that her parents are considering adopting a mentally handicapped child, and her fears are realized when Wendy actually arrives. Disruption at home and teasing from schoolmates become regular occurrences, but it is Marsha's own doing that causes one of the worst incidents, and, in time, a turning point. There are no easy solutions here, and the story concludes on a positive note with Wendy's birthday offerings to Marsha--a painstakingly decorated cake and a hard-practiced ability to pronounce Marsha's name correctly. Welch provides information on the characteristics of what she calls developmentally delayed children and presents a realistic portrayal of foster life and of the adoption process itself. Although the story is flawed by occasional lapses into stilted language, Marsha's emotions and reactions are typical and understandable. Pleasing black-and-white drawings appear throughout the story. --Sylvia V. Meisner, Allen Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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