Nathaniel S. (nanturtle) reviewed Just Beyond the Clouds (Cody Gunner, Bk 2) on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Although the writing is excellent with great character development, the story really seems to be behind the times or from another country! Where I live, people with Down Syndrome are treated with respect, educated and have jobs. Also, the school system is blamed in this book yet teachers are often the best advocates for children with Down Syndrome pushing them to learn to read. I was as a Language, Speech and Hearing Specialist who worked with children with Down Syndrome on their speech so they would speak more clearly. The school systems nowadays provide a lot for children with disabilities including vocational training. This novel is way off-base. Also, the comment in the book that says that someone wouldn't be gay if they were Christian I found to be offensive. Many, many devoted Christians are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered. This author needs to do more research!!!
Heidi F. (dutchgirl) reviewed Just Beyond the Clouds (Cody Gunner, Bk 2) on + 1019 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I enjoyed this book. This is a Sequel to "A Thousand Tomorrows" which I have not read but it was good as a stand alone. Wonderful insight into the world of families with adult Down Syndrome Children.
Christy J. (southernsassygirl) reviewed Just Beyond the Clouds (Cody Gunner, Bk 2) on + 180 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I was not impressed with this book at all. I thought the first book, A Thousand Tomorrows, was much more interesting. The characters in this book were just "blah" to me. This book is probably my least favorite by Karen Kingsbury, and she's one of my favorite authors.
Helpful Score: 1
It made me thankful for life, and to know there is happiness after losing a loved one.
The next part to A thousand Tomorrows. Very good. Deals with the subject of Down Syndrome children.
Charlene (ATraveler) -
Excellent follow-up book to A Thousand Tomorrows. I really enjoyed the character development of CJ the younger brother with Down Syndrome. I liked this one better than the first however I do think reading the first is important to development of the second book. Both could stand alone . . . but why miss either?
Book 2 in the Cody Gunner series.
Four years have passed since the first book, A Thousand Tomorrows. Cody has left the rodeo circuit for a few weeks and gone home to his parents ranch to collect his thoughts. His brother Carl Joseph becomes a main focus in this story. He has Down Syndrome and has recently been enrolled in a center that teaches him to work towards life goals. His family starts to question if this is the right choice for Carl Joseph, even though he is happier, more active and finally making friends. In steps, Elle, Carl Joseph's teacher, who believes her students should be giving the opportunity to gain independence. This was a very sweet story. I especially enjoyed reading about the characters with Down Syndrome. They were so easy to love and definitely shared some of the most important life lessons that really shouldn't be that hard for all of us to realize and learn from!
Four years have passed since the first book, A Thousand Tomorrows. Cody has left the rodeo circuit for a few weeks and gone home to his parents ranch to collect his thoughts. His brother Carl Joseph becomes a main focus in this story. He has Down Syndrome and has recently been enrolled in a center that teaches him to work towards life goals. His family starts to question if this is the right choice for Carl Joseph, even though he is happier, more active and finally making friends. In steps, Elle, Carl Joseph's teacher, who believes her students should be giving the opportunity to gain independence. This was a very sweet story. I especially enjoyed reading about the characters with Down Syndrome. They were so easy to love and definitely shared some of the most important life lessons that really shouldn't be that hard for all of us to realize and learn from!
Wonderful Book - I loved it !
Karen Kingsbury really hit it out of the ballpark with this book. I read it in 2 days. The romance and love descibed in this novel is really first rate.
This was a very touching book. Karen Kingsbury always gets to the heart of the matter.
Elle Dalton is director of an Independent Learning Center for Down Syndrome adults when she meets Cody, her student Carl Joseph's brother, who is intent on removing Carl from the center. Romance ensues between Elle, still brokenhearted over being jilted at the altar four years ago, and Cody, an angry bull rider who still grieves the loss of his wife to cystic fibrosis. Meanwhile, it's up to Elle-and Carl Joseph-to show Cody that Down Syndrome adults are capable of much more than most people believe. Kingsbury handles the many point-of-view changes with aplomb, although the chapter told from Carl's perspective is less successful. Some readers may wonder about the literary value of auctioning off a character spot in a novel to the highest bidder (the money goes to charity), as is done here, and there is some telling instead of showing and repetition in the prose. But the plotline is sweeter than sugar, and Kingsbury makes an admirably strong advocacy statement for Down Syndrome adults.
Elle Dalton is director of an Independent Learning Center for Down Syndrome adults when she meets Cody, her student Carl Joseph's brother, who is intent on removing Carl from the center. Romance ensues between Elle, still brokenhearted over being jilted at the altar four years ago, and Cody, an angry bull rider who still grieves the loss of his wife to cystic fibrosis. Meanwhile, it's up to Elle-and Carl Joseph-to show Cody that Down Syndrome adults are capable of much more than most people believe. Kingsbury handles the many point-of-view changes with aplomb, although the chapter told from Carl's perspective is less successful. Some readers may wonder about the literary value of auctioning off a character spot in a novel to the highest bidder (the money goes to charity), as is done here, and there is some telling instead of showing and repetition in the prose. But the plotline is sweeter than sugar, and Kingsbury makes an admirably strong advocacy statement for Down Syndrome adults.
Toni C. (oneperkychick) - , reviewed Just Beyond the Clouds (Cody Gunner, Bk 2) on + 176 more book reviews
Wonderful book. Fast read. O
