"The Good Sister" by Sally Hepworth

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth centers on Rose and Fern, twin sisters that are very different from each other.  Rose has Diabetes, mood swings and is very manipulative while Fern has sensory issues but a good heart.  They see the world very differently.  Rose wants a baby but her marriage is on the rocks.  Fern works in a library and comes up with a plan to make Rose happy.

I enjoyed this book because of Fern.  She is an interesting character and very likeable, unlike her twin, Rose.  I didn't like Rose much from the start.  I also enjoyed Rocco aka Wally, Fern's boyfriend.  Both Fern and Rocco seemed to be on the spectrum for Autism and were great together!  I recommend this to anyone who enjoys stories about families or people with Autism.    (Karen's review, 5 stars)

 Gerard's review 4/20/21:

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth centers on Rose and Fern, sisters who both look after each other.  Rose wants to have a baby in the worst way, but it does not look like it is going to happen.  Fern, being the good sister, decides to come up with a plan to make Rose happy.  What is that plan?  Will it work?  You will have to read the book to find out!  

Fern was a great character and drives this book in my opinion.  The book moved along well with a surprise ending.  I enjoyed The Mother-in-Law more, but this book is good too!  (4.5 stars) 

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"RULES" by Cynthia Lord

RULES by Cynthia Lord is about Catherine, a girl who has a younger brother who is autistic. Sometimes he embarrasses her and she feels stuck babysitting him all the time. She also feels as though her parents do things with him and ignore her. Her best friend moved to California to be with her dad for the summer, so she is very excited about a girl her age moving into the house next door. While accompanying her mom and brother to his occupational therapy, Catherine made a friend who also came for therapy. Jason was her age in a wheelchair and could hear, but could not speak.

This book is geared to kids/young teens to help them understand people with disabilities. It is very short and goes quick. I liked the guinea pigs and my favorite part was when Catherine pushed Jason fast round the parking lot so he could get a sense of what running feels like. I thought it had a pretty good message about not worrying so much what other people think. (Karen’s review, 3 stars)

Teaser from page 73: Jason laughs, a sharp bark like a Canada goose. His mother looks up from her magazine as I scan the room and see everyone watching us.


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"Harmony" by Carolyn Parkhurst is About Living in Harmony With Special Needs Kids

Harmony by Carolyn Parkhurst is about the Hammond family, Josh, Alexandria and their two daughters, Iris and Tilly. Tilly is a 13-yr-old somewhere on the autism spectrum whose “special interest” is statues and who has a quick temper, no filter and is fairly smart with a good imagination. When the mother is near wits end from daily episodes with Tilly, she attends a workshop by Scott Bean for help. She starts listening to his tapes and even arranges a personal consultation. When Tilly gets kicked out of the school for special needs children, the mother suggests to Josh that they consider helping Scott Bean run Camp Harmony – a new endeavor for families with a special needs child. Scott is an educator who gives parents advice and through the summer, different families can attend the camp for a week. Three families agreed to help Scott run it and help with all the chores that need to be done.

This is an interesting and sometimes funny read. I liked it overall and was able to overlook the foul language which was part of Tilly’s problem. Most of the book is told from Iris’s perspective with some chapters interspersed showing Tilly’s thoughts and some that give the background on their family, particularly the mother’s dealings with Tilly, before leaving DC for the camp in New Hampshire. This gives insight into some struggles families with special needs kids may have, but also shows the tender moments too. The ending was sad and quite a shock—not what I expected. My favorite part was the interaction among the kids at the camp and between Tilly and Iris.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"Its. Nice. Outside." by Jim Kokoris

It's.  Nice.  Outside. by Jim Kokoris is told for the most part by John Nichols.  He is a 50 something year old man who is separated from his wife, has two daughters and a 19-yr.-old special needs boy.  On his way to his one daughter's out-of-town wedding with his boy, he gets news that tears his family apart.

I loved this book!  The action flowed really well and it sure kept me interested all the way through.  It has a very good ending too!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"The Life We Bury" by Allen Eskens

The Life We Bury by Allen Eskins centers on Joe Talbert, a college student, who has an English class assignment.  This leads him to a man called Carl Iverson, in a nursing home, whose past is just the thing Joe is looking for.  I thought this book was pretty good.  Joe was a very good character and the other characters were well brought out too.  The only bad part of this book is I thought it was too predictable.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

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"Best Boy" by Eli Gottlieb was Disappointing

Best Boy by Eli Gottlieb is told by Todd Arror. He is an autistic man in his 50s who lives in a gated community with people who have special needs. He enjoys his life to a point, but would like to go live with his brother and his family. When new people come into his life, it is time to put that plan in place. This story was good enough, the characters were okay, and the book was just sort of bland. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen and it just never did. I was disappointed in this one because usually I like the books PEOPLE MAGAZINE recommends.
 (Gerard's review, 3 stars)

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"Black Fridays" by Michael Sears is a modern Thriller

Black Fridays by Michael Sears is about Jason Stafford, a Wall Street trader who went to prison for two years .  When he gets out, his wife divorces him, but he takes their special needs Autistic son and takes care of him and works on getting his life back together.  He then is hired to follow up on the misdeeds on Wall Street that one man did.

There is pretty good action in this book and I especially liked the parts with him and his son.  This is going to be a series, so I will probably read book two also.  
(Gerard's review, 4.5 stars)
 
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"Love Anthony" by by Lisa Genova

WOW! Love Anthony by Lisa Genova is a fantastic book to start off the month. Love Anthony is told by two women, Olivia and Beth who are facing issues in their lives, one dealing with the death of a boy and the other with an unfaithful husband. I loved both women but not their husbands.

This is a really good book and hard to put down. I enjoyed Lisa’s other two books very much too (Still Alice and Left Neglected) and this one is just as good as those. Read and enjoy! I look forward to her next book!

(Gerard’s review, rating 5++)

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"Unlocked" by Karen Kingsbury is Inspirational Christian Fiction

Great Christian Fiction--Favorite read for July!

Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury is an inspirational and heartwarming read that I truly enjoyed!  It's a love story about an Autistic high school boy, Holden, with a kind heart and a high school girl who is kind to him and notices his interest in music.  I especially liked Holden's prayers and the faith He has.  He became Autistic (quirky and uncommunicative) when he was three years old and his parents feel as though they lost the real Holden and want him back! 

This book deals with bullying, suicide, friendship and family struggles.  This is Christian fiction at its best, showing how Christians can make a difference! I highly recommend this one to teens and parents.
(Karen's review--read on Kindle)

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"I Am in Here" by Elizabeth Bonker and Virginia Breen

What a book I Am In Here by Elizabeth Bonker and Virginia Breen is!  I really liked it.  It is about the journey of a child with Autism who cannot speak but finds her voice through writing poetry.  It is written by Elizabeth and her mother.  I loved that Elizabeth shares what is going on in her head.  Here is one of Elizabeth's poems she wrote at age 9 from page 43:

Live and Let Live

Am I on display?

Why do they look at me that way?

I want to say

I am okay.

Sometimes I do things you may wonder about.

Just let me be and don't try to figure it out.

If this book doesn't tug at your heart strings, I'll be surprised. 
(Gerard's review)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

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"Saving Max" by Antoinette Van Heugten Scores High In My Book

If you go on Amazon.com, this book did not score very well at all.  But, if there was a Gerard.com, this book would get high marks!  I enjoyed it a lot!  The story is based on Max, a young teen boy who is Autistic and smart.  When he gets checked into a special care facility, he is accused of murdering a fellow patient.  Max’s mother does everything in her power to clear her son.  This book drags somewhat, but the hearing in front of the judge which is Part 3, more than makes up for it.  It is SO GOOD!  Especially when the mother, who is an attorney, takes over to defend her son.  Fantastic!  Put this on your to read list--you can thank me later.   

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? You can help our charity of the month just by leaving a comment on any of our blogs! We will donate 50 cents per comment at the end of the month. The charity for this month is at the top of our blog.

"Twin" by Allen Shawn

Twin by Allen Shawn tells the true story of Mary, Allen Shawn's twin sister who had autism.  Her parents sent her away to "summer camp" for good.  That's how it was handled back in those days.  Allen shares his feelings about that and his relationship with his brother, parents and Mary.  Some of the book is like a text book; I would have liked a little more action.  It was okay, not really a bad read but not riveting either.
(Gerard's review)   

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? You can help Canine Lifeline (a dog rescue organization that saved our dog, Abby) by leaving a comment on any of our blogs in March. We will donate 50 cents per comment at the end of the month.

"Rules" by Cynthia Lord: A Good First Read Of 2011

I finished this on New Year's Eve and really enjoyed Rules by Cynthia Lord a lot.  This book is about a 12-yr.-old girl named Catherine who has a brother with Autism.  He lives by a set of rules.  Catherine also has a relationship with a wheelchair-bound boy named Jason.  This is a fast read and very believable for a fiction book.  Well done, Ms. Lord, your first book is okay by me.
(Gerard's Review)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"Unlocked" by Karen Kingsbury is an Enjoyable Read

When you read a book by Karen Kingsbury, you know you are going to get three things:  (1) a good story, (2) a happy ending, and (3) a God centered message.  This book has all of that and what's wrong with that?  I say Not A Thing!  Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury is about an autistic teen boy who reconnects with a girl from his childhood that he was friends with.  It's a quick, enjoyable read.
(Gerard's review)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"Somebody Else's Kids" by Torey Hayden

I liked Somebody Else's Kids by Torey Hayden because it was pretty amusing but yet sad too when you realize that this isn't fiction. Claude was a pregnant 12 yr. old who ended up giving her baby up for adoption and becoming valedictorian of her class. Lori had some brain damage so couldn’t read but a warm heart. Boo was autistic and would take of his clothes and flap around. Tomaso was violent because was angry his dad died and had to be in foster homes but was intelligent. Acted tough but showed concern for other kids, especially Lori. Lori got stuffed bear for Tomaso for his birthday and he tore it up but then had Torey sew it back up. This is a touching book.
(Karen's review 10/05)

Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine is a novel about Caitlin, a little 5th grade girl with Asperges syndrome.  Now she has to deal with her brother getting shot in a school killing.  How she and her dad handle it is the basis of this book.  I really enjoyed Caitlin very much.  You can read it in one or two days.  It is worth your time.  This book has been nominated for book of the year in the young people’s category.  Well deserved!  I LOVED IT!!

(Gerard's review 5/18/10)

Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"House Rules" by Jodi Picoult

House Rules by Jodi Picoult is outstanding!  It’s the story of Jacob Hunt, who has Asperger’s.  He is accused of murdering his tutor, Jess.  The writing is outstanding to say the least.  You get into it right away and you really get to care about the characters in the book.  This book is actually laugh out loud funny some of the time.  I highly recommend you read House Rules.  It will make my top 5 books of the year easily and I read a lot!
(Gerard's Review 6/22/10)


House Rules by Jodi Picoult is about Jacob, an 18 yr. old boy who has Asperger’s that is charged with murdering his social skills tutor.  He was obsessed with watching “Crime Busters” to the point where he would take notes on every episode, even those he already saw.

I really liked this book a lot because it was funny and interesting.  The trial really cracked me up.  I also liked when the author outlined Jacob’s thought process.  He thought cats must have Asperger’s too because they are very smart like him and also sometimes just want to be alone like him.  The defense attorney was funny too--not being a criminal lawyer made his character humorous. 

Some books I have to make myself finish but this one I looked forward to reading and found it hard to put down.  I think it’s one of Jodi’s best.

(Karen's Review 6/19/10)

See another review:  Debra's Book Cafe