- Publisher: Appelstein Professional Services
- Editor: Ellen Kleiner
- Edition: 2nd Edition
- Available in: Paperback
- ISBN: 0971964025
- Published: May 1, 2012
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An easy-to-read, poignant account of life in out-of-home placements, The Gus Chronicles follows the experiences of Gus E. Studelmeyer, a fictional thirteen-year-old victim of sexual abuse. Gus’ character is a composite of the many children author and veteran youth care specialist Charlie Appelstein has worked with over the years. Gus addresses issues such as abuse and neglect, loyalty to family of origin, self-esteem building, sensitivity to the misuse of power, physical restraint, and much more.
The first chapter of The Gus Chronicles won a national literature competition. Today, numerous colleges and out-of-home placement settings throughout the U.S. and Canada use Gus as a training resource.
Review copies are available for college educators. Contact us at charlieap@comcast.net.
Textbooks just can’t say it like Gus does…
Every child care and youth care worker needs to step into the thoughts of a youth at risk in order to understand why they act like they do. Charlie Appelstein uses his broad experience in this field – and his considerable creative writing skills – to give a voice to a fictional youth-in-care. By drawing us into his worldview, Gus gives the reader fresh perspectives on what it might be like to live in one of these places we adults call treatment centers. This book will take its place in the training literature along with Mark Kreuger’s novels on child care work. Textbooks just can’t say it like Gus does.
Best look at residential treatment…
The Gus Chronicles is wonderful – without a doubt, the best look at the residential treatment I have ever read from anybody’s perspective.
Gus as a thoroughly believable abused and troubled youth
Charlie Appelstein has portrayed Gus as a thoroughly believable abused and troubled youth. Gus’s recollections of his first day in residential care were so chillingly similar to mine that I quickly forgot he was not real.
Seeing beyond routine time-outs and restraints…
Your book has enabled me to adapt my perspectives when dealing with children. I now try to look into their reason for acting out, far more than I used to. I have encouraged my staff to read your book so that everyone working with the children will be able to see beyond the routine time-outs and restraints. I would like to thank you for writing this book about Gus.
A motivational resource to supplement any psychology text…
Deciding to use The Gus Chronicles as the first reading assignment to supplement the text in my Introduction to Psychology courses this fall is the best decision I could have made. As it happens, The Gus Chronicles is a perfect way to introduce some of the major terms and concepts, as well as serious themes and theories, of psychology. After working with Gus, students became enthusiastic and gained confidence in their ability to analyze and apply the psychology concepts it raised in other contexts. The book appeals to a wide range of diverse student learning styles and levels. I am very glad that I decided to adopt Appelstein’s book and strongly recommend it as a motivational resource to supplement any psychology text.