Maria Shriver

This book is both thought provoking and informative. It can feel a bit repetitive at times, but much of the information in it bears repeating. That said, i think the strength of the book lies, not in reading it cover to cover, but in reading the essays that are most relevant to you. If you're an employer, read the essays about business practices. If you're a parent, read the sections that talk about child care. If you're a woman (or man) on the brink of poverty, read the sections that talk show more about the resources available to you. The book paints a stark picture, but remains optimistic about the future and gives some concrete ideas about how to lessen poverty in the United States. show less

And One More Thing Before You Go by Maria Shriver. Epiphany Oviedo ELCA library section 12 F: Teen, Planning Your Future. Maria was asked to give an after-dinner speech to graduating high school senior girls and their mothers. When deciding what to write, she recalled how her mom, Eunice, would say goodbye as Maria left the house to go out with friends. Her Mom would say, “Oh, Maria – and one more thing before you go....” Last minute reminders, warnings, and advice would follow.
This show more got Shriver thinking. What could she say to these girls who faced their first major crossroads of life? What life advice, what ideas could she give them as they faced their future? It’s all in this book. Shriver’s main thrust is that life requires courage – to face your fears, to try new things, and handle the bumps life puts in your path. Courage means knowing deep down you will be OK even if you are scared. Challenges will help you grow. It is in struggle that you find out what you are made of; and when you emerge on the other side of a challenge you’ll have faced your fears, struggled and won, and you’ll feel great. You’ll know you are strong, courageous, and true to yourself, and that is the essence of happiness.
In the face of what has happened to Shriver since this book was written – revelations of infidelity by her husband, and her subsequent divorce filing, I could not help but compare her reaction to that of her grandmother Rose Kennedy. Rose never filed for divorce in the face of her husband’s infidelity. To some, this meant she was a saint, to others, a doormat. However, Shriver had the courage, the inner value and worth, to divorce her husband because of his unfaithfulness. While there are undoubtedly other marital issues they struggled with, Shriver’s attitude in this post-feminist era is healthy. She expected marital fidelity and when she did not get it she gave him the boot. This is essentially the philosophy explained in this book. She is a smart, courageous American woman who has been through much more than most of us, worked hard to fulfill her goals, and acted with bravery, honor, and intelligence. Good lessons for us all. show less

This book asks so many of the questions that children have when they meet someone with disabilities in such beautiful way. I appreciate how honest the questions are, although some may see them as rude, because those are the questions that are asked by children every day! In this book a little girl named Kate meets Timmy, a boy her age with many developmental delays. As she asks questions and learns from her mother and from Timmy herself she realizes that although different in some ways she show more and Timmy are also very much alike. The reader is then exposed to what it feels like to befriend someone with a disability and to also stand up for them with other people. It should be noted that Kate asks why God makes people different as there are many that would be offended by this. Personally I believe that the author does a wonderful job explaining in a way that is easy to for a child to understand and is also very honest. This is a great read for both children and parents alike. show less

'What's Happening to Grandpa?' is a book that can make one cry just from reading the title, never mind the whole book. The whole book was touching, informative, and heartbreaking just as a book about a loved one developing Alzheimer's disease should. At times, the author choose to give an explanation for Alzheimer's that felt a bit too in depth for a child, in my opinion. Luckily, the editor choose to make simple explanations and summaries of information in larger print as a way of show more highlighting it for parents and children.
In the end, the little girl decides to make a scrapbook for her grandfather and have him help put it together. I applaud the author for coming up with this idea as it emphasizes the importance of enjoying the good moments, cherishing the memories, and most importantly making sure you remember the real person behind the disease, too. show less