extraordinary journey books

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Get the app
• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

Explaining the News to Our Kids

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Celebrating Black History Month

Movies and TV Shows with Arab Leads

Celebrate Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary

Normal: one kid's extraordinary journey, common sense media reviewers.

Inspiring, graphic story of boy with facial differences.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

For kids who are interested in the physical detail

Having a positive attitude can help turn a situati

Nathaniel's approach to his differences is to comp

Graphic descriptions of medical procedures can be

Winnie the Pooh, Baby Mozart, Google, Nutella, Coo

Parents need to know that Normal: One Kid's Extraordinary Journey is a memoir about a boy named Nathaniel Newman who has Treacher Collin's syndrome -- which causes craniofacial differences like the main character in Wonder has -- and has to endure many surgeries to help him with basic…

Educational Value

For kids who are interested in the physical details of what it takes for a kid like Nathaniel to get through the day there are lots of descriptions of trach suctioning, feeding by g-tube, surgery prep and the like. For kids who want to know about what it feels like to walk in Nathaniel's shoes, his strong acceptance of himself is eye-opening. His family's emotional journey is described by his mother in frank detail.

Positive Messages

Having a positive attitude can help turn a situation around to get the best possible outcome. Being normal means different things to different people. Be kind and change someone's life. It's important to admit that sometimes a person's reactions to you might be outside of your control -- the best we can do is to manage the situation with grace. One book or movie can change how people treat other people. Try to see through identities to the person inside.

Positive Role Models

Nathaniel's approach to his differences is to completely accept himself the way he is. He doesn't add a lot of drama to his life, because he knows he's lucky to be able to do simple things like breathe. His mom admits to her own struggles in accepting her son. She's very honest about her experiences and owns them, knowing that she's not perfect. Nathaniel's dad is more outwardly emotional, but he does a lot of the physical caregiving for Nathaniel, including carrying his son into every operation and holding him on his lap until he falls asleep from the anesthesia.

Violence & Scariness

Graphic descriptions of medical procedures can be jarring: suctioning a trach tube 10 to 70 times a day, excruciating pain because of screws that are tightened in the skin, blood trickling down Nathaniel's face because of screws going through his skin, description of Nathaniel barfing through a trach tube after he nearly suffocates from the vomit, his mother putting her knees on his infant hands while she's helping him, and her vomiting before and afterwards, eyes and jaws sewn shut after surgery. Nathaniel's dad threatens to punch a neighbor. A dog dies.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Winnie the Pooh, Baby Mozart, Google, Nutella, Cool Whip, Tonka, Sears, Thomas the Train, Baby Loony Tunes, Cheesecake Factory, Spider Man, Wonder , Star Wars , Nightmare on Elm Street , 20/20 , Game Stop, Shrek , Rotten Tomatoes, Minecraft, Grammy, Beauty and the Beast , Ronald McDonald House, Lightning McQueen, Pokemon, iPad, Baskin and Robbins, Hebrew National hotdogs, Toy Story , Bambi , Disney.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Normal: One Kid's Extraordinary Journey is a memoir about a boy named Nathaniel Newman who has Treacher Collin's syndrome -- which causes craniofacial differences like the main character in Wonder has -- and has to endure many surgeries to help him with basic functions like breathing and eating. These functions are described in graphic detail, such as the cleaning his trach tube many times a day (for a dozen years) lest he suffocate. Nathaniel's fed through a tube in his stomach, called a g-tube, which allows him to have food and nutrients put directly into his body. His eyes are sewn shut for a few days after a surgery and his jaws sewn shut for four months. Over his lifetime, he has trouble eating, and there are many descriptions of him vomiting through his mouth or trach tube. He has to wear a halo that has "screws that need to be tightened daily to slowly expand my bones." The tightening causes him intense pain, and he bleeds from the screw insertion points. All of this is to say that the medical aspect of the story is graphically rendered, and it's meant to illustrate what Nathaniel has had to go through in order to physically function better. His mother also describes her own health issues, which include details of her battles against cancer. There are near-death experiences and a beloved dog dies.

Where to Read

Community reviews.

• Parents say
• Kids say (2)

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

In NORMAL: ONE KID'S EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY, authors Magdalena and Nathaniel Newman recount the challenges that Nathaniel experiences, having been born with Treacher Collins syndrome. These challenges, told from both his mother's and his point of view, are described with brutal honesty. Magda recalls thinking, "This is the worst day of my life," when she saw Nathaniel for the first time. Her truthfulness serves as a baseline as she and her family endure nearly 70 surgeries to help Nathaniel do basic things like breathe, eat, and hear. Nathaniel is pretty immune to the looks and comments that people make when they see him for the first time. He lets it all roll off his back, knowing what real challenges -- and real friends -- look like. When the book Wonder comes out and then is made into a film , he's asked to play a special role in making the movie realistic. His family continues to advocate for people who are different, making the world a little more "normal" for every unique person.

Is It Any Good?

This is a fascinating and graphic memoir of a family's struggle to live with a child's severe craniofacial impairments. Normal: One Kid's Extraordinary Journey is really two stories -- Nathaniel's almost impish account of his life to date, and a survival story told by his mother, Magda. There are flashbacks to her childhood in Poland and also her struggle with cancer. These sidelines are interesting, but they aren't always relevant to Nathaniel's story or his personal experience.

One of the things that makes Nathaniel's story incredible is his ability to accept his situation for what it is. He speaks about not knowing anything other than life as he's lived it. His mother's narrative serves to show how much labor has gone into raising a child with severe challenges. Her point of view is graphically detailed. She's brutally honest with herself and challenges those who don't show compassion. Whether her side of the story is really compelling to kids is questionable. But as real-life superheroes go, Nathaniel has definitely earned his status.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Parents can talk about the role that kid -- and adult -- bullies play in Normal: One Kid's Extraordinary Journey. How does Nathaniel cope with people's reactions to his facial differences?

Nathaniel loves playing video games when he is in the hospital. When is screen time helpful? When is it too much?

Nathaniel and his family notice a big change in peoples' reaction to his facial differences after the movie Wonder comes out. How do movies have the ability to change opinions and behaviors?

Book Details

• Authors : Magdalena Newman , Nathaniel Newman
• Genre : Autobiography
• Topics : Activism , Brothers and Sisters , Great Boy Role Models
• Book type : Non-Fiction
• Publisher : Houghton Mifflin Books for Young Readers
• Publication date : January 14, 2020
• Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 14
• Number of pages : 336
• Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
• Last updated : January 26, 2020

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

Fish in a Tree

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

Books with characters who have physical disabilities or chronic illnesses, movies with characters who have physical disabilities, related topics.

• Brothers and Sisters
• Great Boy Role Models

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Take an Extraordinary Journey to Africa

Book & plan, plan your custom trip to patagonia, with our extraordinary experts, sign up now for a, free trip consultation., find luxury in unexpected places.

We believe that seeing the world is more than just travel—it’s about taking a journey. Our dedicated team of experts will work with you to provide the perfect experience,

precisely tailored to what you want to see and how you want to experience it, providing luxury and comfort along the way.

Extraordinary Experts

From sheep farming in Patagonia to teaching in Santiago , Emma’s adventures in South America have taken her all over this beguiling continent. Her extensive knowledge of Latin America is matched only by her passion for crafting trips.

Olivia Schellenberg

Olivia moved to Buenos Aires after university. It was the start of a love affair that sparked a career in travel, sharing that love with others. Olivia uses her deep connection with South America to plan thoughtful, highly bespoke trips for others.

Why Africa?

For many travelers, Africa is the ultimate destination. The cultures and adventures you can experience are as diverse as the countries—whether it’s Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, or beyond each has something unique to offer.

Below are some example itineraries but it’s important to note that everything we create at Extraordinary Journeys is custom. Use these ideas as inspiration to let us create your trip of a lifetime.

Africa is a unique place on this planet and planning a trip there requires a steady hand—one with the knowledge and experience to do it right. 

Traveling to Africa is a big investment, let our experts guide you. Whether it’s a family trip, a honeymoon, adventure travel, or cultural immersion, we will hand craft an itinerary that matches your interests.

Patagonia Travel Highlights:

Hike in the iconic Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine National Parks.

Kayak beneath towering glaciers and witness majestic wildlife.

Experience the thrill of puma tracking and whale watching.

Discover the charm of Ushuaia, the city at the end of the world.

Extraordinary Journeys’

Trips unique.

When most people think about Africa they’re thinking about Kenya. The country's rich wildlife, wide open plains, lone acacia trees, and rich traditional cultures make it the undisputed origin of the modern safari. Luxury safaris in Kenya feature early morning and afternoon off-road game drives, sunset drinks, gourmet dinners, hot air ballooning and nighttime activities like stargazing and night drives, offering a mix of wildlife viewing and relaxation.

With the largest population of elephants in all of Africa, Botswana is a game viewer’s dream.  Botswana’s government prioritizes sustainable travel. This makes luxury safaris in the country some of the most expensive but least crowded and most exclusive on the continent.  Fly above the palm-fringed oasis of the Okavango Delta, safari by boat, mokoro, walking, or traditional game drives and see some of the world’s most unique wildlife up close.

With the largest population of elephants in all of Africa, Botswana is a game viewer’s dream.  Botswana’s government prioritizes sustainable travel. This makes luxury safaris in the country some of the most expensive but least crowded and most exclusive on the continent.  Fly above the palm-fringed oasis of the Okavango Delta, safari by boat, mokoro, walking, or traditional game drives and see some of the world’s most unique wildlife up close. Itinerary Inspiration

Known as “the land of a thousand hills,” Rwanda is a country teaming with life. While a Rwanda safari has traditionally not been thought of as a classic Big 5 safari, its four national parks are inhabited by an abundance of animals and birdlife. However, it’s the gorilla trekking that makes this a totally unique destination in Africa. Rwanda offers world-class service and accommodation standards, with the accompanying price tag.

Tanzania is a beautiful country of diverse landscapes ranging from imposing volcanic peaks to endless stretches of open plains to white sand beaches.  From top to bottom and east to west, Tanzania offers an authentic East African safari experience:   Big Five sightings, luxurious tented safari camps, and rich cultural encounters.

South Africa

South Africa offers something for everybody. Whether it’s cosmopolitan Capetown,  the winelands, or the country’s natural beauty, this luxurious package is the perfect escape. With so much to see and do, a South African safari is an experience that appeals to a range of people. 

Namibia is a land of contrasts—where sand dunes tumble into the ocean, dotted by mysterious shipwrecks, highlighted by vivid oranges and blues.  The country is a mix of striking landscapes, unmatched star-gazing, prehistoric plants and unique desert-adapted animals. Ancient cultures continue their age-old traditions, alongside modern cities and quirky towns.

High-Caliber Guiding:

Expert guides who bring the culture, history, and nature of Patagonia to life.

Seamless Travel:

We handle the complexities of traveling in Patagonia, ensuring a worry-free experience.

Memorable Luxury Lodges:

Stay in extraordinary accommodations offering unparalleled views, service, and regional cuisine.

24/7 Support:

Our team is always available, providing in-destination assistance whenever you need it.

Your Extraordinary Patagonia Journey Awaits

Schedule Your Call with a South American Expert

Extraordinary journeys.

As a women-led team, we prioritize care for our clients, the environment, and communities, offering personalized travel experiences rooted in deep connections to the destination, nature, and oneself. Our unique approach ensures each trip is as unique as you, combining luxury with authentic experiences that push you slightly out of your comfort zone for transformational travel moments. 

Our deep knowledge of destinations, commitment to conservation, and focus on sustainable travel practices underscore our mission to create impactful, joy-filled adventures. We’re with you every step, ensuring trust, safety, and unforgettable experiences, all while contributing positively to local communities and conservation efforts.

With our local, on-the-ground experience and long-standing relationships, we know how to make every journey you take in Africa an Extraordinary one. 

This means you get to experience Africa for everything it offers, without the stress and worry that interferes with enjoyment. No two itineraries are ever the same. So begin your journey today.

Customers Say

Lauren kuhlke.

Hoover Dam's Century-Long Cure: The Extraordinary Journey of Concrete Maturation

W hen the Hoover Dam, a marvel of engineering, was constructed between 1931 and 1935, few could imagine the monumental task of not just erecting the world’s tallest dam but ensuring the concrete at its heart would stand the test of time. The dam, an emblem of the American spirit during the Great Depression and a structural behemoth, required an innovative approach to concrete curing that is still ongoing today.

At the core of the dam’s longevity is the curing process of its concrete. Engineers from the era of its construction estimated that it would take around 100 years for the concrete to completely cure. This prolonged period is due to the dam’s colossal size and the heat generated by the curing concrete. If the dam had been constructed in a single pour, “the concrete would have gotten so hot that it would have taken 125 years for the concrete to cool to ambient temperatures.”

To counteract the heat and prevent structural damage, the Hoover Dam was built not as a monolith but in a series of individual trapezoidal columns. These shapes allowed the heat to dissipate more effectively. Moreover, a network of cooling coils, consisting of “582 miles of 1-inch steel pipe,” was embedded within the concrete. The system initially circulated river water before chilled water from a refrigeration plant was introduced to expedite the cooling process.

This refrigeration plant was no small feat, having the capacity to “produce 1,000 tons of ice in 24 hours.” This innovative system reduced the cooling duration to a more practical timeframe, although the curing process continues to this day.

The statistics surrounding the construction of Hoover Dam are staggering. The dam contains “4,360,000 cubic yards of concrete,” and if all materials used were loaded onto a train, “as the engine entered the switch yards in Boulder City, the caboose would just be leaving Kansas City, MO.”

Building the dam during the Great Depression was too costly for a single company to manage independently. Therefore, a consortium of construction companies joined forces under the name Six Companies and successfully secured the project with a bid of $48.8 million. This bid was the largest contract granted by the federal government at that time. Around 21,000 men were employed for the dam’s construction, with an average of 3,500 workers daily. The peak daily workforce exceeded 5,200 laborers in June 1934.

The construction itself was a Herculean task. The “first concrete for the dam was placed on June 6, 1933,” and the “last on May 29, 1935.” On average, “160,000 cubic yards of concrete were placed in the dam per month,” with peak placements reaching “10,462 cubic yards in one day.”

The Hoover Dam not only tamed the Colorado River but also created Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States. While the dam’s primary function was flood control, water diversion, and hydroelectric power generation, it also holds a place in America’s architectural history as a structure that surpassed the Great Pyramid of Giza in its masonry mass. It remains an enduring symbol of innovation and industrial prowess.

Nearly 90 years after its construction, Hoover Dam continues to capture the imagination of visitors and stands as a testimony to human ingenuity. Its ongoing concrete curing process is a lesser-known but vital aspect of its narrative, ensuring that this engineering wonder will remain stable for generations to come.

Relevant articles:

– TIL that the Hoover dam is still curing and will take 15 – 20 years to finally be complete

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Author Interviews

A historian's view of 'an extraordinary time capsule of the '60s'.

Reena Advani

Doris Kearns Goodwin's late husband, Dick Goodwin, and Bill Moyers peering over President Johnson's desk in the Oval Office to see the edits the president is making on a speech draft in May, 1965. LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto hide caption

Doris Kearns Goodwin's late husband, Dick Goodwin, and Bill Moyers peering over President Johnson's desk in the Oval Office to see the edits the president is making on a speech draft in May, 1965.

When acclaimed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin delved into 300 boxes of memorabilia preserved by her late husband Richard Goodwin, she got to relive with him his twenties. In real life, they first met when he was 40 years old and she was 29.

In 1972, he walked into her office at Harvard, where they both had office space, and the two bonded over shared interests. "So began a conversation about LBJ, the Sixties, writing, literature, philosophy, science, astronomy, sex, evolution, gossip, the Red Sox, and everything else under the sun," Kearns Goodwin writes in her new memoir, An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s. It's an intimate account of her husband's experience in law, military service, and politics, capturing his pursuit of social justice in everything he did.

Items from Dick Goodwin's boxes. The author's late husband served as an advisor and speechwriter for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Courtesy of Christie's Images, Ltd. hide caption

Items from Dick Goodwin's boxes. The author's late husband served as an advisor and speechwriter for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

As a longtime political speechwriter and presidential adviser to John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, he wanted his own history remembered, so he asked his wife to help him relive it and ultimately write it. That meant delving into dozens of letters and journals, a kind of time capsule of the 1960s. Their date nights involved watching old presidential debates between John F. Kennedy and incumbent Richard Nixon and critiquing their performances together.

"He would describe to me how he was preparing Kennedy for that," Doris Kearns Goodwin said in an interview on Morning Edition . "We'd go backward and forward. So it was really fun. I remember he said to me at the beginning, 'Are you nervous? Do you wonder who's going to win?'"

Doris Kearns Goodwin and Dick Goodwin were married in 1975. Marc Peloquin, courtesy of the author. hide caption

Doris Kearns Goodwin and Dick Goodwin were married in 1975.

Richard Goodwin advised Kennedy in the White House, and after Kennedy's assassination, he stayed on with President Lyndon Johnson. In An Unfinished Love Story , Doris Kearns Goodwin celebrates the many historical moments of the 1960s that her husband had a large hand in defining, including the founding of the Peace Corps and helping to draft the lauded Voting Rights Act speech delivered by President Johnson.

Doris Kearns Goodwin came to our studio in Washington D.C., for a conversation with NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Steve Inskeep: The key line [in the Voting Rights Act Speech] – you called it the "We Shall Overcome" speech. This is a line from a spiritual that people sang as they were demonstrating for civil rights. Johnson just says it. What did it mean that Johnson just said that?

Kearns Goodwin: What it really meant was that's a moment when the person in the highest level of power is connecting to an outside group, the civil rights movement, who are pressuring the government to act. And that's when change takes place in our country.

SI: How do you think Richard was able to win the favor of and the trust of powerful men without losing himself, as some staffers do?

KG: It wasn't always easy. I think the fact that he had been with John Kennedy before Lyndon Johnson meant there was always a layer in Lyndon Johnson of not fully trusting him because he thought he was a Kennedy. You know, that was that fault line. You were either a Kennedy, or you were a Johnson. Even the first time when he calls Bill Moyers on the phone and there's this great tape where he's saying, "I need someone to be my speechwriter." This was only months after John Kennedy had died.

Dick Goodwin, President Kennedy, and David Dean Rusk, the president's secretary of state, in front of the U.S. Army helicopter on the White House South Lawn. Feb. 1, 1962. Abbie Rowe, courtesy of John F. Kennedy Library hide caption

Dick Goodwin, President Kennedy, and David Dean Rusk, the president's secretary of state, in front of the U.S. Army helicopter on the White House South Lawn. Feb. 1, 1962.

And he says to Moyers, "I need someone who can put sex in my speech, who can put rhythm in my speech, Churchillian phrases. Who could that be?" And Moyers says, "well, there's Dick Goodwin, but he's not one of us." And he knew then that that would always mean that he would always have a layer of not full trust.

SI: I feel that that relationship in microcosm is something that goes all the way through American life because this is a class difference along with everything else, right? Guy from Harvard versus the guy from a teacher's college in Texas.

KG: So true. I mean, one of the things Johnson used to say a lot was that his father always told him that if you brush up against the grindstone of life, you'll get more polished than anyone who went to Harvard or Yale ever did. But then he would add, but 'I never believed that.' I mean, there was always - and he was so much more brilliant than many people who go to Harvard or Yale. I mean, he used to call me Harvard half the time.

SI: When you met your husband, your future husband, in the early '70s, he's still a relatively young man but had had his greatest accomplishments. Would you say that that's true?

KG: I think that was the thing that was hard for him the rest of his life. I mean, he did do work after that. He wrote a play that was put on in London. He wrote columns. He wrote manifestos about America's revolution, the need for a new revolution. He got more radical as time went on. And he did work on Al Gore's concession speech.

SI: That's a gracious speech, Al Gore's concession in the 2000 election...?

KG: It was a lovely speech. Al Gore had called him and said that he wanted a victory speech or a concession speech. But Dick knew that the concession speech would be more important. And what a great, important memory is that right now that in that year of 2000, he was able to say, the law of the land is this. I don't agree with the decision, but I cherish this tradition and congratulate President Bush. We need that so badly right now.

SI: I'm struck by the idea that he thought people would not remember.

KG: I'm not sure what it was, but yeah, he did feel that need. It wasn't so much even for his work but for the work that he did together with these presidents because he wanted people to remember that the '60s was a time when young people in particular were powered by the conviction that they could make a difference. And tens of thousands of people joined the Peace Corps, were marching against segregation, against denial of the right to vote, were anti-war marching – and the beginning of the women's movement, the gay rights movement. It was a great time to be alive and a great time to be young.

The audio for this interview was produced by Kaity Kline.

• Children's Books

Buy new: $24.04

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the authors

Normal: One Kid's Extraordinary Journey Audio CD – January 14, 2020

Purchase options and add-ons.

Praised by R.J. Palacio as "wondrous" -- this moving memoir follows a teenage boy with TC syndrome and his exceptional family from diagnosis at birth to now.

" This touching memoir is a must-read for anyone who wants to know more about the real-world experiences of a child with craniofacial differences and his extraordinary family. It’s also more than that. It’s a story about the love between a mother and a son, a child and his family, and the breadth of friends, helpers, and doctors that step in when the unexpected happens. It’s a story that will make young readers reevaluate the word "normal" -- not only as it applies to others, but to themselves. Any book that can do that is pretty wondrous, as far as I’m concerned. " -- R.J. Palacio, author of Wonder

Normal. Who is to say what this word means? For Magda Newman, it was a goal. She wanted her son Nathaniel to be able to play on the playground, swim at the beach, enjoy the moments his friends took for granted. But Nathaniel's severe Treacher Collins syndrome -- a craniofacial condition -- meant that other concerns came first. Could he eat without the aid of a gastrointestinal tube? Could he hear? Would he ever be able to breathe effortlessly? But Nathaniel looks at “normal” from a completely different perspective.

In this uplifting and humorous memoir that includes black-and-white comic illustrations, mother and son tell the story of his growing up -- from facing sixty-seven surgeries before the age of fifteen, to making friends, moving across the country, and persevering through hardships. How they tackle extraordinary circumstances with love and resilience is a true testament to Magda and Nathaniel’s family, and to families everywhere who quietly but courageously persist.

• Print length 1 pages
• Language English
• Publisher HarperCollins B and Blackstone Publishing
• Publication date January 14, 2020
• ISBN-13 979-8212047289
• See all details

Similar items that may ship from close to you

Editorial Reviews

Product details.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09WTNT9JS
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins B and Blackstone Publishing; Unabridged edition (January 14, 2020)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Audio CD ‏ : ‎ 1 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8212047289

About the authors

Hilary liftin.

Hilary Liftin is a collaborator specializing in celebrity memoir. Since 2006 she has worked on fifteen books, ten of which hit the New York Times bestseller list. Hilary has also written three books under her own name. The first, DEAR EXILE, is letters that she exchanged with her co-author, Kate Montgomery, when Kate was in the Peace Corps in Kenya and Hilary was in New York. It was published by Vintage in 1999 and is still in print. CANDY AND ME: A Love Story is Hilary’s memoir told through different kinds of candy. MOVIE STAR BY LIZZIE PEPPER is her first novel.

Before becoming a full-time writer in 2006, Hilary worked in the publishing industry for ten years, holding positions in editorial, marketing, and business development at Houghton Mifflin, Barnes & Noble.com, and the ebook division of Time Warner Books (now Hachette).

Magdalena Newman

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

The Lost Secret of William Shakespeare

By richard allan wagner, the lost secret of william shakespeare.

Click above link to download the entire eBook or section titles below

Read the Review by Dr. James Tresner , 33rd degree Grand Cross Freemason, historian, author, editor of the Scottish Rite Journal, Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, Washington D.C.

© 2015 The Lost Secret of William Shakespeare

Richard Allan Wagner

Part 2 of "A JOURNEY TO HELL, HEAVEN and BACK"‪!‬ 3 Famous Guys

• Relationships

Welcome to Part Two of the highly anticipated Three Famous Guys podcast interview with Ivan Tuttle, the brilliant author behind the captivating book, "A Journey to Hell, Heaven, and Back." In this episode, we delve deeper into Ivan's extraordinary experience as he recounts his awe-inspiring trip to heaven. Prepare to be enthralled as we unravel the secrets and profound insights that Ivan gained during his celestial sojourn. In "A Journey to Hell, Heaven, and Back," Ivan Tuttle takes readers on an extraordinary expedition into HEAVEN itself, offering a firsthand account of his breathtaking encounter with God, Jesus, and other, well known people from the bible. Part Two of this exclusive interview focuses on Ivan's transformative visit to heaven, a place of unimaginable beauty, serenity, and spiritual revelation. As we explore the pages of Ivan's book, we are transported to a realm where angels reside, where celestial melodies fill the air, and where the divine presence permeates every inch. Through his vivid descriptions and heartfelt narrative, Ivan shares the profound lessons he learned and the wonders he encountered during his heavenly odyssey. Join us as we uncover the mysteries of the afterlife, guided by Ivan Tuttle's captivating storytelling and remarkable spiritual journey. Discover the depths of love, the power of forgiveness, and the eternal truths that await us beyond the veil. Prepare to be inspired, enlightened, and uplifted as we embark on this enlightening exploration of Ivan Tuttle's incredible journey to heaven. Stay tuned for the spellbinding revelations and spiritual insights that will leave you breathless and forever transformed. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure into the celestial realm. www.3famousguys.com, www.ivantuttle.com, #podcastersofinstagram, #podcaster, #podcastlife, #podcasters, #podcastshow, #podcasthost, #podcastlove, #podcastaddict, #podcastsofinstagram, #podcastmovement, #podcastUSA, #podcastcommunity, #podcastnetwork, #podcastepisode, #podcastseries, #podcastjunkie, #podcaststudio, #podcastinterview, #podcastrecommendation, #podcastlifestyle, #podcastforwomen, #podcastformen, #podcastofinstagram, #3FGViral, #american, #unitedkingdom, #UK, #ghost, #househunting, #americanbully, #unitedstates, #gym, #culture, #promote #advertising #Monetize, #americanmuscle, #sneakernews, #newseason, #viralindonesia, #tiktokviral, #nowunited, #newstyle, #americanstyle, #interesting, #united, #oldies,#instagram,  #reelsinstagram,  #tiktok, #live, #youtube, #instagramers, #authors, #paranormal,  #instagramreels, #apple, #live #livepodcast, #OnAir,  #facebook, #3FG #3FamousGuys, #BreakingBad, #Friends, #Larry #youtuber, #livebraodcasting, #podcast, #spotify, #instagrammers, #UFOTwitter, #UAPTwitter #Aliens, #ET, #ghosts #paranormal, #ExtraTerrestrial, #HETLAU, #ProjectBlueBeam, #ColeyUFO, #actors, #actresses, #Hollywood, #SocialMedia, #Influencers  #series, #book, #movie, #stars, #GrowingPains, #Gus, #Jim, #Mark, #Nichole, #Captivating #Country #Bigfoot, #scary #afraid, #Sasquatch, #TriStates #Iowa, #IA, #WI, #Wisconsin, #Texas, #TX, #pilots, #licensedpilot, #instafamous #doglife #entrepreneurlife #famous #puppylife #cheflife #tattoolife #luxurylife #travellife #lifeofadventure #mom #dads #lifeisbeautiful #farmlife #stories #lifecoach #popular#WhitewaterCanyon, #Midwest, #singer, #SongWritter, #RollerSkating,  #NearDeathExperience,  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/3famousguys/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/3famousguys/support

• Episode Website
• More Episodes
• Gus, Jim, Mark

Maintenance work is planned for Wednesday 1st May 2024 from 9:00am to 11:00am (BST).

During this time, the performance of our website may be affected - searches may run slowly and some pages may be temporarily unavailable. If this happens, please try refreshing your web browser or try waiting two to three minutes before trying again.

We apologise for any inconvenience this might cause and thank you for your patience.

Energy & Environmental Science

Quinoxaline-benzothiadiazole heterotrimer enabling organic solar cells with extraordinary efficiency and stability.

Organic solar cells (OSCs) based on oligomer acceptors have garnered significant interest for their notable power conversion efficiency (PCE) and enduring stability. Despite their great potential, the development of oligomer acceptors remains behind traditional small molecule acceptors (SMA) -based systems, primarily due to a scarcity of effective oligomer materials. To address this gap, our study introduces a novel hybrid synthesis strategy for oligomer acceptors, integrating two distinct acceptor units. We synthesize the heterotrimer acceptor TQT and the single-acceptor-unit oligomers Tri-BT and Tri-Qx to assess the impact of our approach on OSC performance and durability. Notably, the crystallinity of the hybrid molecule TQT is significantly enhanced compared to the other two molecules. Consequently, the PCE of the PM6:TQT OSC reached 18.52%, marking the highest efficiency observed in OSCs composed of linear-shaped trimer acceptors to date. Meanwhile, the PM6:L8-BO:TQT ternary system surpassed this with a PCE of 19.15%. Moreover, our oligomer acceptor-based binary device demonstrated exceptional photostability and thermal stability. The top-performing trimer TQT retained 80% of its initial efficiency (T80) after 1330 hours of continuous exposure. Our findings highlight the potential of hybridizing various acceptor units as a strategic approach to developing stable and efficient oligomers for OSCs.

Supplementary files

• Supplementary information PDF (1578K)

Article information

Download citation, permissions.

Y. Sun, J. Liu, X. Duan, J. Song, C. Liu, M. H. Jee, H. Y. Woo, J. Gao and Z. Tang, Energy Environ. Sci. , 2024, Accepted Manuscript , DOI: 10.1039/D4EE00860J

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page .

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page .

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content .

Social activity

Search articles by author.

This article has not yet been cited.

Advertisements