321 Learn!

In Eagle Eyes, by Jeanne Gehret, the main character, Ben, introduces children to life with Attention Deficit Disorder. His eagle eyes allows him to notice everything around him, often getting him into trouble. Ben is an active boy who loves life and enthusiastically enjoys every detail he can fine from an eagle’s nest to deer footprints in the snow.

Ben spends all evening working on homework only to find that the next day he had forgotten to put the completed work in his homework folder yet again. After being diagnosed with ADD, Ben is put on medication and begins to use some simple tips that help him remember his work, sleep better and think twice before he does something.In the end, Ben finds out that his unique gifts that are a part of having ADD help the family during a time of need.

In the back of Eagle Eyes, there is a list of discussion starter questions for parents and teachers to better utilize the book in an educational setting. These questions center around the story text, asking children to answer explicit and implicit comprehension questions.

While there are some questions that focus on understanding ADD and the effects of this disorder, there are not a lot of guided discussion questions to help parents and teachers use this book as a lesson for both children with and without ADD.

Eagle Eyes is a captivating story that invites readers into the life of a child with ADD. After thoroughly explaining the effects that ADD has on Ben’s life, and the emotional response that Ben has, it tactfully discusses medication and strategies that help. Unique to this book is the surprise ending, which helps children understand that ADD has its benefits as well.