Product Description

This easy-to-read, fictional account is a true-to-life composite of troubled children created by a veteran youth care specialist. Gus E. Studelmeyer, 13, is the central character and narrator. Issues Gus addresses: abuse and neglect, loyalty to family of origin, self esteem building, sensitivity to misuse of power, physical restraint, and much more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #273338 in Books
• Published on: 2002-05-15
• Binding: Paperback
• 145 pages

Review
"Appelstein gives a powerful voice to a fictional youth-in-care. Textbooks just can't say it like Gus does." -- Larry Brendtro, President, Reclaiming Children and Youth

"Charlie Appelstein has portrayed Gus as a thoroughly believable account of an abused and troubled youth." -- John R. Seita, Ph.D., Kellogg Youth Initiative Partnerships

"The Gus Chronicles is the perfect way to introduce college students to the major terms, concepts, and themes of psychology." -- Claire Cummings, Ph.D., Newbury College

About the Author
Charlie Appelstein, M.S.W., is a independent youth care specialist. He provides training and consultation to public and private schools, residential treatment centers, foster care agencies, and parent associations throughout the U.S. and Canada. He is a frequent keynote speaker and motivational presenter. He has worked with at-risk children and youth for over twenty-five years.

Customer Reviews

A helpful, quick read
This book is written in basic, easy to understand language with no "edu-speak" jargon. It is a great book for anyone working with troubled children in a residential setting, or anyone parenting such a child, to give them some insight into what may be going on in the child's mind.

Life of an abused kid in real kid language
If you work with or think you want to work in a group home, RTC, or RCCF, or want to be a foster parent, you should probably read this book. The fictional character who is the protagonist is a reflection of hundreds of real kids. This book could also be useful for school administrators and teachers and others who care about these kids or need to know about them. As a therapist in an RTC for the last 5 years I can verify that this book is a reflection of the reality many kids in these facilities experience.

RTC is Residential Treatment Center RCCF is Residential Child Care Facility

Excellent resource for those who care about troubled kids
This book has a real voice. As someone who works with kids in residential treatment as well as someone who WAS a kid in residential treatment, the truth in this book resonates. It helped me to try and think about things from our kids' point-of-view, which, in turn, helped me to be able to get across OUR point-of-view better. I think anyone who work with or knows a kid who has been abused and/or been in placements should read this book. It's invaluble and well written.