Short Bus Hero

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book, because the narration was odd at first. It appeared to be in 3rd person initially, then 1st person. Ultimately it payed off and I was very impressed with this book. Very nice writing style. I'd recommend it.

Review posted on Amazon as well.

This book was such a good read, it had me smiling all through out it. Written very well, with very developed characters that make you fall in love with them. Very interesting story line that pulls you in to see what will happen next. Such a great feel good book.

A delightful, uplifting book unlike anything I have ever read before. The author has done a great job with this one; to me the plot was very interesting and quite unique. The characters were really well created which really drew me in as a reader.

I'm a huge book nerd and wrestling nerd, so these worlds colliding in "Short Bus Hero" had me so pumped to read, and...it was even better than I hoped. What a fantastic book, emotional and gripping, I absolutely could not put it down. Cannot wait to spread the word and show my fellow wrestling fans this amazing story!

I do not think I've ever read a book like this. The characters were so well written that I felt like I was reading about real people.I'm pretty sure that Shannon Giglio somehow knows my grandmother and just changed her name to Lois for this book because they are the exact same person. She's been a hoarder for almost ten years now and reading about Lois and her hoarding had me laughing and feeling sad all at the same time because I understand what someone like that is thinking and feeling. I really liked the perspective this book gave on Down Syndrome and I love that Ally has an obsession with wrestling. I loved wrestling as a kid and I still sneak and watch episodes when no one is looking! Great, great book! Loved it!!

Such a sweet novel! While somewhat infantile in places, the lovable characters and fun plot made the entire book a joy to read.

Ally, who has Down' s Syndrome, wins the lottery. Throw in a hoarding mom, a bullying coworker, The Cool People, a washed up pro wrestler, and a guardian angel who puts Clarence to shame and you have  one of the most unique reads ever. 

Ally proves no one is beyond redemption and that you should never underestimate one of the Dear Ones. 

Great read!

Ally Forman likes playing with her barbies, even Headless, Naked, Jobless Barbie.
  Ally Forman loves Twilight. (I forgive her it-she's awesome)
  Ally Forman LOVES wrestling:
  Ally Forman just won the lottery for over 3 hundred million dollars:

Ally Forman has Down's syndrome.

I love her. 

This story is told from an angels point of view. When I first started reading it I thought it would completely go cheesey on me. This isn't your everyday angel though. He cusses, and rants and isn't really able to "fix" things he sees. He is just there to lend support.
Ally's favorite wrestler Stryker Nash has been fired from wrestling. She is seriously depressed over it. Then when that winning lottery ticket becomes hers the only thing she wants to do is give him the money so that he can keep wrestling.

What makes a book a five star from me? This book makes you smile, cheer and yes, it makes you cry. Go. Read. It.

There's a famous painting dating back to something like the 16th century, a Flemish nativity scene. It shows an angel with facial features typical of a human with Down syndrome.  Yes, way.
Legend has it that the Spirit World was trying to send a message to humanity through the painter.

I received an arc copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Given To Me For An Honest Review

Short Bus Hero by Shannon Giglio is a must read.  Once you open the book it will grab you and hold you on the edge of your seat.  Then those pages will turn and turn and turn some more until the end of the book.  Where else can you read a book about Ally who has Down's syndrome.  She wins the lottery of over 3 million dollars, her mother is a hoarder, her co-worker is a bully, there's The Cool People, and a washed up pro wrestler.  Lastly you'll read about the guardian angel as she puts Clarence to shame.  Make sure you have your tissues ..... you'll smile, you'll cheer, and you may even cry.  This is one fantastic read.  I just loved it.   This would make a great gift or an addition to your bookshelf.  I gave it 5 stars but it really needs 10+.  I highly recommend this book to everyone.  I look for more by Shannon Giglio.

FIRST FIVE STAR OF THE YEAR!

If you aren't already aware, I'm not a person who often has emotions . . . but when I do WATCH OUT. I think I flooded my reading room this morning. I'm still crying. What's happening to me?!?!?!?!

Short Bus Hero is the story of Ally Forman told through the voice of her guardian angel (don't worry, this isn't a preachy book - the halo Ally's angel wears is more than a bit crooked). Ally is "a "Dear One" - she is one of mine and she is beautiful. We have a lot in common, Ally and me. From our love of professional wrestling, to a shared disdain for the tortuous din known as rap music. We are kindred sprits, she and I, gauzy white helicopter seeds, blown from the same withering dandelion, floating through time and space propelled by the breath of another. How's that for poetic?" 

She's your average young women who works in a grocery store, has been blessed with a group of great friends, a well-intentioned (although a lot crazy and sometimes a little drunk) mother, a limitless love for wrestling, and a $350 million lottery jackpot. Ally also happens to have Down syndrome. When Ally finds out her favorite wrestler has been axed, she sets her sights on spending her winnings on making his life better. And boy does she ever make his life better . . . in ways money can't buy.

If you would have told me I'd ever even want to read a book with a pretty decent focus on wrestling, let alone give it all 5 Stars I would have assumed you needed your brain checked. But good grief this story. This little story . . . it just had everything. It literally made me "laugh and cry" - as corny and overused as that phrase is. This book gave me all the feels and " it feels like Heaven ." It left me with a little hope, a little faith, a lot of love, and the realization that maybe being Edward and Bella isn't as bad as it is cracked up to be. My heart is full from reading Ally (and Stryker's and Jason's) story and I'm pretty sure I also already found my favorite narrator of the year.

Now I'm going to take a cue from my new pal and go listen to some David Archuletta. He's not as bad as I once thought either ; )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J1-e...

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!

I received a free copy of Short Bus Hero from the publisher in return for an honest review.

I only grabbed this one because Shelby and Kelly rated it so highly, I don't think I would have picked this one up otherwise, the wrestling thing would have put me off.

I have to admit, it took me a while to get into the book. I actually put it down, read another book and then went back to it. I wasn't feeling it to start with and it was the wrestling stuff that was putting me off. I'm glad that I did pick it back up though, once I got a bit further into the story, it really picked up for me.

I enjoyed the way the story was narrated in the voice of Ally's guardian angel, he's not your cliché angel stereotype either, he has a sense of humour and curses like a sailor. The characters were well developed and their story really pulls you into the book. Their ups and downs will make you laugh, smile and tug on those heart strings.

I also liked how it covered the topic of Downs Syndrome without being negative, harsh, disrespectful or cliche. It portrays the struggles and worries of families who find themselves in the position of having a child with Downs Syndrome but at the same time it shows the joy, love and hope that can be found.

The Short Bus Hero is a touching story of strength and determination, heartbreak, compassion and forgiveness, with a very unique plot. They say money can't buy you happiness, you've just got to make sure that the money is in the right hands!

Scarlet's Web Blog: http://scarletaingeal.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/review-short-bus-hero.html

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1161065805

BookLikes Review: http://scarletaingeal.booklikes.com/post/1086445/short-bus-hero-by-shannon-giglio

Leafmarks Review: https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/users/14228/books/1103083/review

AmazonUK Review: http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3GC8SP682652L/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Amazon Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1YCHV7SZQUGB/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

An interesting and educating tale which I really enjoyed.  Highly recommended.

This was a really lovely, touching, but ultimately fun book. At first glance, it makes for strange reading.... I mean, how do wrestling, Down's syndrome and an angel all come together to make a good novel? It does seem odd... but the author pulls it off brilliantly! It is so nice to read a book that features people with Down's syndrome, and to see them portrayed as people first and foremost. it also shows some of what they and their families can go through, which is sad. But this book is feelgood in the end, what could have been a tragic tale works out amazingly and it really made me smile!