Besides being a football coach at his Michigan High School, Mike Kersjes taught special education classes, dealing with children whose disabilities included Tourette syndrome, Downs Syndrome, dyslexia, eating disorders and a variety of emotional problems.
One autumn Kersjes got the outlandish idea that his students would benefit from going to Space Camp, where, in conjunction with NASA, high school students compete in a variety of activities similar to those … More >>
Tags: downs syndrome, High School Students, michigan high school, space camp, Special Education Teacher
#1 by Evie on July 2, 2010 - 6:57 pm
A Smile as Big as the Moon is written by Mike Kersjes and Joe Layden. The setting is a classroom full of special students. The teacher tries to help the students be like everyone else and not feel that they are outcasts. The teacher (Mike Kersjes) helps students not be outcasts by taking them to space camp, and to do so he faces a lot of different obstacles. There are also other ways he makes them not feel like outcasts, but to find out you need to read the book. I give the book four stars because some of the areas in the book drag on and don’t get to the point. Overall, the book has a great tone and is well written. The book, A Smile as Big as the Moon, is great for teachers or people who are facing difficult things in life.
Rating: 4 / 5
#2 by Slacker on July 2, 2010 - 9:47 pm
A Smile as Big as the Moon by Mike Kersjes and Joe Layden is one of the most inspirational books I’ve read. This book is about a teacher that goes against all odds, taking a group of Special Ed. students to space camp. Everyone expected them to fail but he believed in his kids. One of the things that really impressed me is when three of his kids win the competition over the other camps. The story gets a little boring. Kersjes could have made the book more interesting in some parts, but the experience they went through is a great one and is inspirational for teachers and students.
Rating: 4 / 5
#3 by Ashley on July 3, 2010 - 12:42 am
A Smile as Big as the Moon by Mike Kersjes is a book that I recommend to people of all ages. It’s a cute story and is also inspiring. The way the teacher cares about his students teaches students and teachers both that one person can change the lives of others. The plot of the story convinces people that even though there are people that don’t look, act, and do things the same way; everyone should be equal and treated the same way. It inspires people to try to make a difference in others’ lives, and to try and help those who need a self-esteem boost. Most of the time all it takes is just a hello. So I give A Smile as Big as the Moon a 5 for inspiration.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by Anonymous on July 3, 2010 - 2:53 am
The book A Smile as Big as The Moon by Mike Kersjes is an inspiring story about a special ed class and their teacher Mike. This story inspired me even more to make an even bigger difference by being a special ed teacher and striving to be the best that I can be. I think that this book can be read and enjoyed by everyone, but I would mainly recommend this book to those of us who don’t think that they can get by and are ready to give up. If the kids in the story can put their minds to it and get it done then so can you.
Rating: 4 / 5
#5 by ash on July 3, 2010 - 4:13 am
This book was a great story of a special education class who attended the prestigious Space Camp in Alabama. This was a challenge to all in the class to succeed with this camp not only because it was a special education class but because everyone had doubt in them. They turned everyone’s views around and performed beyond everyone’s expectations. This book was very easy reading. I enjoyed every page! It was the type of book you can’t put down.
Rating: 4 / 5