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Gabe & Izzy: Standing Up for America's Bullied
The moving, true story of the young woman dubbed “The Voice of America’s Bullied”; how her bond with her dog, Izzy, changed her life; and their mission to help break the cycle of bullying.
In middle school, Gabrielle “Gabe” Ford developed a degenerative muscle disease, and was harassed by bullies as a result. She did her best to keep her head high, but it wasn’t easy. Then Gabe got a dog, Izzy, who developed an uncannily similar disorder. They were invited to appear on Animal Planet to talk about their bond, which in turn led to an invitation to speak at a school. And so began Gabe’s career as an anti-bullying advocate. Dubbed “The Voice of America’s Bullied” by the Huffington Post, Gabe now makes a career of public speaking and has received numerous honors for her hard work. Here is her amazing story—from her lowest days dealing with various challenges, to the unbelievable and immediate bond with Izzy, to her ongoing mission to put an end to bullying, one school at a time.
Includes resources and tips for readers, plus a color insert of photographs!
In middle school, Gabrielle “Gabe” Ford developed a degenerative muscle disease, and was harassed by bullies as a result. She did her best to keep her head high, but it wasn’t easy. Then Gabe got a dog, Izzy, who developed an uncannily similar disorder. They were invited to appear on Animal Planet to talk about their bond, which in turn led to an invitation to speak at a school. And so began Gabe’s career as an anti-bullying advocate. Dubbed “The Voice of America’s Bullied” by the Huffington Post, Gabe now makes a career of public speaking and has received numerous honors for her hard work. Here is her amazing story—from her lowest days dealing with various challenges, to the unbelievable and immediate bond with Izzy, to her ongoing mission to put an end to bullying, one school at a time.
Includes resources and tips for readers, plus a color insert of photographs!
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 13, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 27, 2016
I realized early on that I was not the target reader of this book and it wasn't exactly what I expected when I bought it, but it was a quick read and enjoyable just the same. I went in thinking it was a story about Gabe and how her service dog, Izzy, improved her life and proved why people in wheelchairs didn't deserve to be bullied. Instead, Izzy came into Gabe's life years after she was done with school and had suffered in silence from constant bullying due to her disability. Izzy is not a true 'service dog' as many people perceive them, opening doors or preventing seizures in her caregiver, but serves more as an emotional support companion and reason for Gabe to get out of bed and do something with her day. When Gabe took Izzy to a school one day and spoke about being bullied, their appearance moved many of the students and showed Gabe that perhaps she had a message that was worth hearing. Thus, the majority of the book dealt with being bullied and how everyone can work to eliminate it in today's schools. Definitely geared to a middle or high school audience, but worth reading if you are a teacher, a parent, or another adult intimately involved in prevention of bullying.
February 25, 2016
Gabrielle Ford is diagnosed with ataxia when she is in junior high. The degenerative disease attacks the nervous system and caused Gabe to lose her balance and slur her speech. She refused to use any type of AIDS and struggled physically through high school. Her classmates were cruel in their bullying.
When Gabe graduated, physically she was much worse, but she refused to acknowledge what was happening to her body. She sunk into a depression. As a way to give herself something on which to focus her energy, Gabe got a puppy. And this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Izzy is the perfect companion to Gabe. What starts out as a puppy, soon becomes a spokesdog in an anti-bullying circuit. Gabe went into the world to share the story of herself and Izzy, but soon shared the story of the bullying she endured in her formative years.
The narrative is easy and, while I would have liked glimpses into the bonding moments with Izzy, I think this is aimed at middle schoolers. It gives helpful information to students, teachers and parents with how to deal with bullying.
When Gabe graduated, physically she was much worse, but she refused to acknowledge what was happening to her body. She sunk into a depression. As a way to give herself something on which to focus her energy, Gabe got a puppy. And this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Izzy is the perfect companion to Gabe. What starts out as a puppy, soon becomes a spokesdog in an anti-bullying circuit. Gabe went into the world to share the story of herself and Izzy, but soon shared the story of the bullying she endured in her formative years.
The narrative is easy and, while I would have liked glimpses into the bonding moments with Izzy, I think this is aimed at middle schoolers. It gives helpful information to students, teachers and parents with how to deal with bullying.
March 5, 2018
Gabe Ford loved dance; tap, jazz, and ballet. It was an integral part of who she was, so when she developed Friedreich's Ataxia it felt like her entire identity had been torn away. Her disease meant she would never dance again, as her balance and muscle control would slowly be taken away by FA. This memoir is the story of how she dealt with harsh bullying in high school, and how that bullying led her to seclude herself in the years after she graduated high school. That is, until she convinced her mom to let her get a dog, Izzy. Izzy became like a daughter to Gabe. When Izzy became ill, Gabe had to overcome her fear of being seen by strangers (or worse, people she knew in high school) in order to care for Izzy by getting her to the vet and by participating in fund raisers to help with Izzy's vet bills. Gabe's love for Izzy transformed her life, and together that set out to transform the lives of others by going around to schools to talk about bully. What Gabe went through in high school shouldn't have happened to her, but she couldn't change the past. What she could do, however, was help students who acted as bullies, were bullied, or stood on the sidelines watching, to realize that they had a choice to stand up to that kind of behavior.
This is an uplifting, important story for kids to hear. Gabe endured some truly horrendous bullying at the hands of her classmates during middle and high school. I found it so frustrating that adults in her school did so little to stop what was happening to her. But her story is really an encouragement, and will be I think to any student who has seen or been involved in bullying, as evidenced by the many notes from students who heard Gabe's story that are included in the text. Her speaking out encourages students to be strong in the face of whatever challenges they encounter. I really appreciated that Gabe was so honest about her struggles coming to terms with her disease and how it changed her expectations for her life.
Finding engaging non-fiction for middle school readers can be difficult, and memoirs do a good job of filling that need. I recommend this book with no reservations. It's honest and thought provoking.
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This is an uplifting, important story for kids to hear. Gabe endured some truly horrendous bullying at the hands of her classmates during middle and high school. I found it so frustrating that adults in her school did so little to stop what was happening to her. But her story is really an encouragement, and will be I think to any student who has seen or been involved in bullying, as evidenced by the many notes from students who heard Gabe's story that are included in the text. Her speaking out encourages students to be strong in the face of whatever challenges they encounter. I really appreciated that Gabe was so honest about her struggles coming to terms with her disease and how it changed her expectations for her life.
Finding engaging non-fiction for middle school readers can be difficult, and memoirs do a good job of filling that need. I recommend this book with no reservations. It's honest and thought provoking.
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May 17, 2021
It is a very amazing story. I really loved reading it, it has had a big impact on my life. I see a lot of myself in Gabe and it has really made me see what goes on, it makes me want to be a better person. I am really glad that Gabe was able to find Izzy, get past her difficulties, and also become a public speaker in a way and spread her story to everyone.
July 10, 2017
Pretty good book. I would recommend it others. It talks about Gabe and her struggles, and about how a dog named Izzy helped her to overcome her fears.
September 29, 2019
Such a sweet, easy, honest nonfiction book about being bullied and overcoming it.
October 22, 2019
I thought that this book was good but it was not for me.
February 4, 2026
bullying
April 1, 2016
This is a heart-warming story that everyone should read. This is the biography of the life of Gabe, who is a teenage girl. She has always wanted to be a dancer and but that dream is crushed when she finds out she has a life threatening disease. Although she does survive she finds out she will never be able to walk again. Every day she is constantly bullied and is getting more and more depressed. To cheer her up, her mom gets her a dog named Izzy. Gabe is soon back to normal, but it isn’t long before they find out Izzy also has a serious disease that prevents her from walking. The two both face immense struggles but still push past them. Now they talk at many school and events around the world spreading the word about how bullying can really affect someone and how we have to stop it. I think this book is very well written, and it is quite easy to read. There are plenty of pictures and parts of the book are just pieces of information on the type of disease Gabe has. This book is very interactive and will leave you smiling when you finish it. I would recommend this to most ages, although it is pretty easy to read it will touch anyone who decides to pick it up. Hope you enjoy!
April 22, 2016
Gabe and Izzy is a story that needs to be told. Gabrielle "Gabe" Ford was diagnosed with a degenerative muscular disease called Friedrich's ataxia when she was in 8th grade. Being told she would lose her ability to walk is definitely not something anyone wants to hear. She was so stubborn that she didn't tell anyone at school what she was dealing with and refused to use crutches or a wheelchair for several years. In fact, she promised herself she'd walk the stage at her high school graduation, and she did. But she dealt with years of extreme bullying at school, and it seemed to me that the kids would have been horrible to her whether they knew about her disease or not. Gabe was lonely, depressed, and dwelling in a dark place. She thought of a way to fix her problems - get a dog! She adopted Izzy, a lovable coonhound with the longest ears in the litter, but Izzy started to show signs of illness and muscle disease too. The two became a dynamic duo, with Gabe reluctantly sharing her story with the world in order to save Izzy's life. Now she is a much sought-after speaker for school events.
December 27, 2017
As a survivor of bullying, I enjoy reading the accounts of fellow targets like myself, who devote their efforts to speaking out against bullying and raising awareness of how serious it is.
In Gabe & Izzy, Gabrielle Ford shares her experiences during middle- to high-school when she was bullied by classmates but bullying was not spoken of openly at her school. She didn't know how to ask for help, or even which adult to talk to.
Having been diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia -- which as it progressed affected how Ford was able to move and to walk -- Ford exhausted herself with trying to appear "normal."
When a dog named Izzy entered Ford's life, Ford was completely isolated, but Izzy's own unique challenges helped Ford to become more involved with life again.
Written for young readers, this book is Ford's generous gift to students who face bullying. Interspersed with her story are facts and suggestions about what is bullying and how to address it.
In Gabe & Izzy, Gabrielle Ford shares her experiences during middle- to high-school when she was bullied by classmates but bullying was not spoken of openly at her school. She didn't know how to ask for help, or even which adult to talk to.
Having been diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia -- which as it progressed affected how Ford was able to move and to walk -- Ford exhausted herself with trying to appear "normal."
When a dog named Izzy entered Ford's life, Ford was completely isolated, but Izzy's own unique challenges helped Ford to become more involved with life again.
Written for young readers, this book is Ford's generous gift to students who face bullying. Interspersed with her story are facts and suggestions about what is bullying and how to address it.
March 8, 2014
This is the true story of Gabe, short for Gabrielle, a girl who is diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia, which is a disease that takes over the central nervous system. Up until Gabe's diagnosis all she wanted to be was a dancer but having FA, she would eventually lose her ability to walk and speak correctly. Her story goes deep in her emotions and how she dealt with her diagnosis and her fight against the disease. It also tells about her finding a kindred soul in, Izzy, her coonhound who had to go through several surgeries and fight for her ability to walk, just like Gabe. More importantly, this book goes into detail of the ways that Gabe was bullied in high school and how by meeting Izzy, she became an inspiration to all the victims of bullying out there.
October 17, 2015
This is a really beautiful story about a woman and her dog.
Gabe is diagnosed with Friederick's ataxia when she's 12 years old. The disease affects balance and eventually takes her ability to walk. She's bullied in school (which is something I can relate to). The bullying affects her life tremendously. For years after high school, she didn't want to go out in public for fear that she'd see her old high school classmates again.
Once she gets Izzy, a coonhound puppy, she's forced to go into the world as she is responsible for taking Izzy to vet appointments. Izzy profoundly changes Gabe's life. I don't want to give away too much about the book, so I will leave it at that. It's a truly beautiful and heartwarming story.
Gabe is diagnosed with Friederick's ataxia when she's 12 years old. The disease affects balance and eventually takes her ability to walk. She's bullied in school (which is something I can relate to). The bullying affects her life tremendously. For years after high school, she didn't want to go out in public for fear that she'd see her old high school classmates again.
Once she gets Izzy, a coonhound puppy, she's forced to go into the world as she is responsible for taking Izzy to vet appointments. Izzy profoundly changes Gabe's life. I don't want to give away too much about the book, so I will leave it at that. It's a truly beautiful and heartwarming story.
June 13, 2014
Gabe & Izzy is a true story about Gabrielle “Gabe” Ford. Gabe developed a degenerative muscular disease when she was in middle school, and she was bullied as a result. Then she got her dog, Izzy, and they immediately forged a close bond; but when Izzy developed a very similar disease, they became even closer. After appearing on Animal Planet, they started to get invitations to schools. Gabe now has a career as an anti-bullying advocate and public speaker.
(Originally posted on http://mackinbooksinbloom.com/2014/06...)
(Originally posted on http://mackinbooksinbloom.com/2014/06...)
August 18, 2016
I read this book today. You should read it too. Waiting for the tears to dry. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone thought this way, whether they want to bring more or less pain into the world every day. Unfortunately, I know it won't happen in this life.
"I didn't have a choice about the disease that took away my ability to walk, run, and dance. But you DO have a choice about how you treat others. Each day you can decide what kind of person you will be. Will you bring more pain into the world? Or less? Will you make someone's day, or break someone's day?"
"I didn't have a choice about the disease that took away my ability to walk, run, and dance. But you DO have a choice about how you treat others. Each day you can decide what kind of person you will be. Will you bring more pain into the world? Or less? Will you make someone's day, or break someone's day?"
November 6, 2015
This was a truly inspirational story. This woman, dealing with a disease she had no control of, thought she had nothing left to offer the world. She ended up being an inspiration to thousands around the nation and helped bring attention to a problem many have had to deal with for far to long. And she didnt do it alone for she had a very special friend at her side every step of the way.
June 14, 2014
Inspiring
Inspiring
My tears are drying. what a inspirational book. Gave and Izzy were true schoolmates. I hope Gabr and Izo continue to spread their word to everyone about being bullied. it's a lecture needed by parents and children alike.
Inspiring
My tears are drying. what a inspirational book. Gave and Izzy were true schoolmates. I hope Gabr and Izo continue to spread their word to everyone about being bullied. it's a lecture needed by parents and children alike.
August 9, 2016
Fast-moving, direct account of how to cope with school bullying and the process of accepting the news of a terrible disease at the same time. Also a story for dog-lovers and how animals can have amazing influences in our human lives.
November 26, 2014
Good read concerning bullying. It will make you have more compassion towards everyone.
January 5, 2015
in the acknowledgements Gabe thanks her ghost writer Sarah Thompson, that's really cool.
October 10, 2015
Good read for anyone who has or works with kids. Would be great to hear her speak sometime. She brings the victim's side of bullying in focus. Loved reading her story!
Want to Read
June 23, 2016I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14075753
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14075753
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews