Love Anthony

Love Anthony is the latest novel by Lisa Genova. You may remember Genova has written Still Alice and Left Neglected, both intriguing novels that showcase Genova’s expertise in neuroscience. Love Anthony is much the same in nature – a novel that focuses on autism from the mind of the autistic child. I thought just getting into the mind of the autistic child was fascinating. When we observe autistic children, we often wonder how much they are relating to our world. According to Genova, they are VERY MUCH involved and have strong feelings about how they are treated. I thought that aspect of the novel was riveting – in fact, I could have used more of those thoughts/feelings throughout the novel. The other story lines, family-related issues, were good, but, I didn’t think they were as strong as those of her other novels. I think it’s worth a read – just maybe not one of my “top-of-the-list” of Genova’s novels.

The Kitchen Daughter

Jael McHenry's The Kitchen Daughter was a novel I just could not put down. Maybe it intrigued me that the main character has some Autistic tendencies - maybe that was it - but whatever it was - it caught me and I was hooked! This novel is a touching story about family, loss, and how to deal with both! Ginny is the adult daughter left alone when both of her parents are killed unexpectedly. She knows she might be a bit different from others - but she does not feel she is not "normal". She knows techniques to use to calm herself and most of those involve food or cooking. So she spends a lot of time in the kitchen and is shocked to find out that if she makes recipes that are hand-written, she can meet with the ghosts of those people. Normally that might turn me off right there - but it was handled so well that I almost believed it could happen! What a wonderful novel - this isn't a story like any other I have read but yet it sure resonated with me! Excellent read!

Second Chance

I have to wholeheartedly agree with PBS when it says that this book is highly recommended!! Second Chance: How Adoption Saved a Boy with Autism and His Shelter Dog by Sandra Gerencher is a touching picture book that stays with you long after you are done reading! I love this great way of teaching what adoption is and also what autism may look like. I think kids and adults will resonate with this story - and hey, maybe even dogs!! If you've been touched by adoption or autism - this book will resound with you as well - you will "get it". This one WILL be on our bookshelf! If you'd like your own copy - purchase a hard copy or ebook HERE.

A little info on the author, Sandra Gerencher -

Sandra J. Gerencher is a special education teacher in the Bangor Area public school system. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked at Lehigh University in a school-based program, as a Program Specialist for adults with disabilities. Over the past 20 years she has worked with children and adults with special needs in such areas as counseling, Behavior Specialist Consultation, behavioral research, crisis intervention and abuse therapy. Sandra graduated from Lehigh University with a M.Ed. in Special Education (2004) and from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia with an M.S. in Counseling Psychology (1999).

**I was provided a copy for review by Tribute Books.

Reading on the Spectrum

I am doing a lot of reading on Sensory Processing Disorder and the Autism Spectrum - so when I found THIS article, my ears (ok, maybe my eyes!!) perked right up!! If you have a child on the Autism Spectrum - read on - this one will encourage you and help you reach out to your little reader!