Book Review: Same Kind of Different As Me
2007-08-19

Bookreview: Same Kind of Different As Me

by D. E. Herrod, B.Ed.E., M.Div.

Same
Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver is the real-life account of the unlikely friendship between an art dealer and a homeless man. Ron was a self made man who had risen from working class roots to a high society life. He had art studios in New York, Dallas and Fort Worth. Everything was great until his wife Deborah insisted they volunteer at the Union
Gospel Mission Homeless Shelter.

Denver grew up as share cropper, virtually a slave in Louisiana. Uneducated and unable to find work, he eventually hopped a train out of Louisiana. Denver’s travels took him to California, Texas and eventually back to Louisiana. He ended up serving many years in one of the country’s worst prisons. After prison, Denver migrated to Fort Worth. By the time he met the Hall’s Denver was very mean hardened from years of living on the street.

Deborah was the force that behind the unlikely friendship of Ron and Denver. She was determined to reach a man that most tried to avoid. Through persistence and kindness Deborah succeeded. Both men’s lives would be changed forever. Same Kind of Different As Me is an easy read with a profound message. It is about moving beyond one’s comfort zone. Putting aside presuppositions or prejudice and seeing those in need through the eye’s of compassion. This book brings mission field home. Sometimes it is easier to reach out to the poor and hopeless in other country’s than the ones we pass every day.

I would recommend this book for 9th grade and above. It would be a great book to integrate Bible, literature and writing into a single project. Getting involved with a local homeless shelter or other outreach project would be great application/extension for the book.