"Canaries Among Us explores one of the most widespread threats to children's well-being: a lack of acceptance. Kayla Taylor starts her day as an ordinary parent at a respected school, but her family's life turns upside-down when her child becomes the prime target of bullying. Taylor assumes the school will partner with her to solve the problem but is confounded when she finds the opposite: officials not only turn a blind eye to cruelty but also ostracize and attack anyone who speaks up against it. Frustrated by this failure to protect vulnerable students, Taylor researches the challenges those in charge are most unwilling to discuss with her--like bullying, learning differences, and anxiety. She then digs deeper to study empowering responses that are woefully absent from many parenting books and teaching curricula--including validation, empathy, apologies, forgiveness, healing, and belonging. These concepts end up providing the guideposts Taylor needs to navigate both the exquisite joy and raw heartache inherent in raising a child who doesn't fit society's definition of "normal."" --
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.