Michael, Michael, Michael! - Hutsell, Diana

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Résumé :
Having a twin brother can be hard. Having a twin brother with autism can be even harder. Makayla's twin brother Michael has autism. As a twin, Michael and her share everything, even their birthday. Because of his autism, to her, it seems that everything in her family is adjusted to meet Michael's needs and never hers. She just wants something that is her own. However, Makayla begins to realize that Michael and her share more things in common than she first believed. Michael, Michael, Michael! Makayla again yelled in her head, with her arms crossed annoyingly. Michael, Michael, Michael! is a story about patience, understanding, and family as well as looking beyond yourself sometimes.

Biographie:
Diana Hutsell is a native Tennessean and currently resides in North Carolina. She has had the immense opportunity to travel to some interesting places during her life thus far, and she hopes to be able to travel even more in the future. An avid book reader herself, Diana has been also writing stories and books in one way or another her entire life; however, children's books have always been her true passion. She feels that children crave knowledge and that knowledge makes the world less scary. Her children's books are meant to entertain but also provide information for growing minds. Diana's core belief is that we need to accept and embrace a person's differences and not see differences as a separation. Understanding is the key to the achievement of this. She instilled this belief in her own children and grandchildren and wishes to share it with other children as well. This belief system has been strengthened over the years through her professional and volunteer life. She has worked as a substitute teacher for elementary and middle school ages; a juvenile officer with boys ages 13-21; and security for Dollywood, being assigned to assist visiting families with special needs children. In addition, she has volunteered with Samaritan House, a homeless shelter for families; Appalachian Outreach, a poverty relief organization and ministry; special education classes and field trips; and Special Olympics. Diana's Understanding My World Book Series is her way to share and discuss issues, obstacles, and differences that kids face every day in a way that helps them to understand and relate. The core theme among all the stories is understanding, acceptance, and inclusivity.