The Brooke Ellison Story: One Mother, One Daughter, One Journey

by Brooke Ellison and Jean Ellison

Book Overview

On her first day of seventh grade, a car struck Brooke Ellison on her way home from school. The accident left her paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a respirator. Ten years later, with her mother, Jean, by her side, Brooke graduated with honors from Harvard University. This is the story, told in their own words, of the miraculous journey that Brooke and Jean undertook so that Brooke could achieve her goals, against all odds. Written...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786886595
• ISBN13: 9780786886593
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Hachette Books
• Length: 276 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 17 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 12 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Update to prior review

Since writing a less than glowing review [below], I have had time to think and reflect on this book, and am upgrading my review to 5 stars. I initially thought the book too sappy, but I kept thinking about it, and coming back to read passages of it, and that's the sign of a great book.I also saw Brooke on Larry King, and she was amazingly articulate, compassionate, smart and beautiful. It was not just that she was "inspirational" for all she had gone through: she was also incredibly intelligent [not surprising, given her Harvard education], and is using her enegies to do great things.She spoke about her experiences in such a thoughtful way. I have since done some research and found articles Brooke has written on a web site dealing with disabilities.I have read, and promptly forgotten, a lot of mediocre books, but this is one I'll remember, so change my review to a wholehearted recommedation.

Unique Format & A Great Book

A wonderful book about an AMAZING FAMILY. The book does not preach or teach about disabilities. It is not about what she can not do. It is a book about what you CAN do. In my opinion, this is the story of one family and their quest to take care of one another and do right by their family and each other. I love the format of the book. Brooke & Jean take turns writing about similiar events that they encountered during this ten year time frame. (Very hard to get too in-depth and too detailed when writing about such a large time frame.) I have read this book to my 6th grade students (a great example of point of view and perspective since two authors are writing about the same experiences.) A great book for mothers to buy for their daughters or vice versa. (And as always, the book is much better than the movie.) I highly recommend this book.

The real miracle - family commitment

When I purchased this book my intent was to gain insight into Brooke Ellison's life. What I actually had in my hands was a book about courage, setting goals, and a concrete example of family love, specifically a mother's love. Although I could not imagine living through their ordeal, the book was so well written I was filled with the pains and joys they describe; I thank them for sharing their story. I found the book to be truly inspirational. This memoir could be motivational to many people in many situations. Disabled or not we all have obstacles in our path along the journey of life. If more of us could adopt the `Ellison attitude' towards life and living, there would be less of us waiting for some good to befall us.However, let the reader beware! This is not a book, manual, or guide for the disabled. It is an autobiography of a young lady and her family. It just so happens that this extraordinary young lady's life was marked by an unfortunate accident. Read the book to enjoy the story and praise the accomplishments of an extraordinary family.The most remarkable part of the story is the Ellison family. Their love and commitment to each other is the real miracle. There are those who scorn these most basic but vital family values and therefore cannot see this family for what it is. The love found within this family is so rare in families today that the Ellison's do seem to be straight out of the "Good `ol Days."Good luck ladies. I can't wait for your second book.

MIRACLES HAPPEN-MY REVIEW

I HAVE NEVER, IN MY LIFE READ A MORE POIGNANT BOOK IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! ALL THE THINGS THAT THIS FAMILY HAS BEEN THROUGH ARE ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! THE BOOK IS SO ELOQUENTLY WRITTEN IT BOUGHT ME TO TEARS ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS! THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE.

HIGHLY INSPIRATIONAL

For anyone who believes the idea of completing an education requires an enormous amount of hard work and perseverance, wait until you read about Brooke Ellison and her mother, Jean. Following a car accident at age eleven which left Brooke paralized from the neck down, Jean was determined that her daughter would not simply exist on the sidelines but that she would, indeed, have a productive and fulfilling life. Jean's encouragement, love and determination held Brooke steadfast each and every step of the way, until ten years later Brooke graduated from Harvard University, making her the first quadriplegic to do so. The book alternates in chapters between Brooke's recollections and those of her mother. What intrigued me the most about the book was the overwhelming and, at times, almost insurmountable odds that Brooke and her mother had to overcome. By the time the last page was reached, I was ready to give a standing ovation for Brooke's accomplishments as she gives her graduation speech. The book is so beautifully written, it will leave the reader with a tear in their eye, and make whatever obstacles they feel they most overcome to achieve their goals, very insignificant compared to Brooke's trials and tribulations. This is an amazingly inspiring story which is due to be released as a television movie.