This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite
The third book in The Goodwill Vultures Club series by Hugh Willard is called The Gift of the Vulture. In this book, the club members meet several special needs children. There are children with cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy and autism. After having met these new friends, the Vultures Club members decide to try to give the special needs friends a wonderful Christmas. One of the club members has a sister who is critically ill and in the hospital. The single mother parent is stressed to provide for her children and the club members search for a means to help out the family. As there is to be a Christmas play soon, they want to try to incorporate the theme of giving to the less fortunate in their play. However, their teacher assigns that theme to another group of students and the Vultures Club members then brainstorm other ideas. As the Christmas play date nears, they appear stymied as to what to do. At the last minute, an opportunity presents itself.
I liked the way author Willard defined his main characters. Each had personality and each had individuality. I also appreciated having special needs children included in everyday activities. The Gift of the Vulture is one of those books that parents like to introduce to children, particularly those who have little or no exposure to special needs children. I would also recommend it to parents with special needs children as the children can see themselves in common childhood activities. Buzz, Pee Wee and Caroline are adorable and empathetic role models for elementary-aged children.
