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Connected: Discovering Your Inner Guides: A Kid's Guide to Navigating Their Emotions
Seema Desai and James Ballance
9.0
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What if you could... make life easier and more fun? create choices for yourself, even when it...
Alexandra Hammond and her family are living in Washington DC, and on the outside, they are a typical modern family. But Alexandra and her husband, Josh, are exhausted and frustrated as parents of two children: eleven-year-old Iris and thirteen-year-old Tilly. Tilly, you see, has been diagnosed with PDD-NOS, a form of autism, and it means that Alexandra's lovely, intelligent daughter, who could read by the age of three, is also prone to violent outbursts where she yells out curse words, has an inability to control many of her thoughts and actions, and truly, just doesn't seem to fit into the mold society wishes to place our children. When yet another school kicks Tilly out, Alexandra and Josh are at a loss. So Alexandra turns to Scott Bean, a self-professed expert with "difficult" children whose seminars and private sessions she's been attending for several years now. Scott is starting Camp Harmony in New Hampshire: an isolated society for families struggling with children like Tilly, free of outside influences, electronics, harmful foods and stimulants, and most of all, free from judgement. So Alexandra and Josh do the unthinkable: they sell everything and pack up the kids and head to New Hampshire, joining Scott and two other families in making Camp Harmony work. But will it work? Can it work?
If you haven't read anything by Carolyn Parkhurst, you're missing out. She's a wonderful author, whose books are simply beautiful. My particular favorite is [b:The Dogs of Babel|89691|The Dogs of Babel|Carolyn Parkhurst|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344269639s/89691.jpg|1585061], a lovely, haunting novel about a woman, her husband, and her dog that I read 10 years ago and still touches me to this day. While I wasn't as affected by this novel, it still has many flashes of the amazing brilliance of Parkhurst and her wonderful way with the written word. Her characters form before you eyes.
In [b:Harmony|29236564|Harmony|Carolyn Parkhurst|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1469411954s/29236564.jpg|49477924], Parkhurst does an excellent job conveying Alexandra's fear and anxiety over the frightening aspects of our society and its effects on our children, and how our society has changed, with things like autism and food allergies seemingly becoming more prevalent each year. She doesn't preach, she just paints a picture with her words and Alexandra's thoughts. The book is told between alternating points of view and time periods. We hear from Alexandra in the past, telling the story of Tilly (and Iris) growing up and how things have reached this point and then we hear from Iris, in the present, at Camp Harmony.
Alexandra captures a life and marriage in moments and snapshots, with Parkhurst easily depicting the desperation that parents of children that are different feel. You can sense her terror and why she would actually consider packing up entire family and moving them to an isolated camp in the middle of nowhere, led by a man they really know nothing about.
Iris' perspective, meanwhile, is just beautiful and touching. Parkhurst wonderfully conveys her voice. There were times when I felt Iris was a bit "old" for an eleven-year-old, but I chalked a lot of that up to having a sister such as Tilly and having to grow up rather quickly. And as the book progressed, there were many moments where Iris came across as a scared, naive kid, after all. Iris' depiction of the camp-through her innocent eyes-is perfect, and she has a wonderful way of portraying her sister, where you will grow to love Tilly, as well, and understand Alexandra's fierce desire to protect both her children.
All in all, despite its serious subject matter, the book is often humorous, and I loved its portrayal of real characters and situations, despite the fact that they all gathered in an isolated camp site in New Hampshire. My only real issue with the book was the camp's leader, Scott Bean. To me, he was the least developed character of the bunch, and while you sensed that perhaps we were hurtling toward trouble, the ending seemed a little quick and too pat for such a well-written and developed book.
Still, this book was quite well-done and certainly a must for any parent struggling with a child who feels different, or really, any parent struggling to raise a child in today's modern society. Parkhurst is a wonderful writer, and she will not disappoint with her latest. 3.5+ stars.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss - thank you! It is available everywhere as of 08/02/2016.
<a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">My Blog</a> ~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justacatandabook/">Facebook</a>; ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/mwcmoto">Twitter</a>;
If you haven't read anything by Carolyn Parkhurst, you're missing out. She's a wonderful author, whose books are simply beautiful. My particular favorite is [b:The Dogs of Babel|89691|The Dogs of Babel|Carolyn Parkhurst|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344269639s/89691.jpg|1585061], a lovely, haunting novel about a woman, her husband, and her dog that I read 10 years ago and still touches me to this day. While I wasn't as affected by this novel, it still has many flashes of the amazing brilliance of Parkhurst and her wonderful way with the written word. Her characters form before you eyes.
In [b:Harmony|29236564|Harmony|Carolyn Parkhurst|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1469411954s/29236564.jpg|49477924], Parkhurst does an excellent job conveying Alexandra's fear and anxiety over the frightening aspects of our society and its effects on our children, and how our society has changed, with things like autism and food allergies seemingly becoming more prevalent each year. She doesn't preach, she just paints a picture with her words and Alexandra's thoughts. The book is told between alternating points of view and time periods. We hear from Alexandra in the past, telling the story of Tilly (and Iris) growing up and how things have reached this point and then we hear from Iris, in the present, at Camp Harmony.
Alexandra captures a life and marriage in moments and snapshots, with Parkhurst easily depicting the desperation that parents of children that are different feel. You can sense her terror and why she would actually consider packing up entire family and moving them to an isolated camp in the middle of nowhere, led by a man they really know nothing about.
Iris' perspective, meanwhile, is just beautiful and touching. Parkhurst wonderfully conveys her voice. There were times when I felt Iris was a bit "old" for an eleven-year-old, but I chalked a lot of that up to having a sister such as Tilly and having to grow up rather quickly. And as the book progressed, there were many moments where Iris came across as a scared, naive kid, after all. Iris' depiction of the camp-through her innocent eyes-is perfect, and she has a wonderful way of portraying her sister, where you will grow to love Tilly, as well, and understand Alexandra's fierce desire to protect both her children.
All in all, despite its serious subject matter, the book is often humorous, and I loved its portrayal of real characters and situations, despite the fact that they all gathered in an isolated camp site in New Hampshire. My only real issue with the book was the camp's leader, Scott Bean. To me, he was the least developed character of the bunch, and while you sensed that perhaps we were hurtling toward trouble, the ending seemed a little quick and too pat for such a well-written and developed book.
Still, this book was quite well-done and certainly a must for any parent struggling with a child who feels different, or really, any parent struggling to raise a child in today's modern society. Parkhurst is a wonderful writer, and she will not disappoint with her latest. 3.5+ stars.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss - thank you! It is available everywhere as of 08/02/2016.
<a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">My Blog</a> ~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justacatandabook/">Facebook</a>; ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/mwcmoto">Twitter</a>;
Sarah Johnson (15 KP) rated Everywhere Wonder in Books
Nov 30, 2017
A Wonderful Story about the Story We All Have to Tell
What a wonderful idea for a children's book. A story about how everyone has a unique and special story to tell. I love how this book travels around the world showing pictures of different places. I think it is always great when books expand children's minds to the world around them. I think teaching children to share then story and to want to learn about the story of others is a great way to explore the world and all it has to offer.
B (15 KP) rated LeVar Burton Reads in Podcasts
Jan 10, 2018
If you grew up with Reading Rainbow this podcast can fill your nostalgia and want for Levar’s voice in your ears. These stories are not always the light and fluffy stories for children reading rainbow produced. My episode suggestion is episode 11: The Paper Menagerie by Ken liu and Episode 5: What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah. Both of these stories with Levar Burton’s voice behind them brought tears to my eyes and expanded the way I look at certain things in my life. I cannot express the joy this podcast gives me with each listening.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Trolls (2016) in Movies
Aug 31, 2017
Cheesy & Very childish
The majority of animated films nowadays seem to be aimed directly at children, making them far too stupid and childish and I'm afraid Trolls is no different. Animations can work for both adults and kids (as Pixar, Disney and the Lego movies prove), but Trolls just goes for bright colours, a silly plot and lots of pointless singing and dancing. The only thing that can possibly appeal to adults in this film is the songs, but they just seem to be out of place and are an obvious alternative to providing a substantial plot. Even the nostalgia factor from the toys is lost in this.
Amanda (7 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Books
Sep 9, 2017
If you haven't read this yet....why?
This book is literally the most magical journey ever. No, it is probably not the best book ever written. Yes, it was written for children. Given these facts you should still give it the chance to to win your heart because the lessons of friendship, bravery and true heroism surpass the age group it was written for. The following books include acts of literary justice that are truly moving and teach that standing up for what is right, even in the face of danger or at the risk of one'e own life, is the most important thing.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Little Deaths in Books
Aug 11, 2017
A depressing tale about victim blaming
This is a deceptively feminist book showing how society portrays women and how they are expected to behave. At first it resembled Albert Camus' The Stranger in which the protagonist is victimised for not behaving the appropriate way after a death. But it looked further into how a mother is essentially blamed for killing her children because she partook in inappropriate behaviour following their murder. The book is intelligent because it leads the reader away from thinking about the real killer and focuses on the mother. Right until the end you almost forget what the story is really about. Surprisingly enjoyable.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Inside Out (2015) in Movies
Sep 18, 2017
A delightful concept
This wonderful Pixar animation was hailed for its exploration into the human mind in the eyes of how a child may imagine it. Characters that represent human emotion work together to make up the decision-making faculties of a person.
In this case, a young girl named Riley is facing an emotional upheaval over her parent's arguments and separation. The concept is ingenious, and important for children in the same position, explaining it in a way that is engaging.
At times the adventure side of the happy and sad characters are little over the top, but it's a beautiful film for trying to explore a tough subject.
In this case, a young girl named Riley is facing an emotional upheaval over her parent's arguments and separation. The concept is ingenious, and important for children in the same position, explaining it in a way that is engaging.
At times the adventure side of the happy and sad characters are little over the top, but it's a beautiful film for trying to explore a tough subject.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Raindrop in Books
Apr 27, 2018
These stories were very cute, the illustrations were wonderful, and parts of them had great messages for kids about bullying, being on earth for a reason, and responsibility. However the philosophy behind them is all wrong. The philosophy consists of “oneness with everything” and “made of the same energy” and “we are Divine presence,” and “we are truth” and “Makes no difference the religion”. It is a worldly viewpoint, and I do not come from that viewpoint.
Again, there some great messages in these books, but I personally won’t be sharing them with the children in my life because of the strength of the new-age views that shine through.
Again, there some great messages in these books, but I personally won’t be sharing them with the children in my life because of the strength of the new-age views that shine through.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Sun and the Moon in Books
Apr 27, 2018
These stories were very cute, the illustrations were wonderful, and parts of them had great messages for kids about bullying, being on earth for a reason, and responsibility. However the philosophy behind them is all wrong. The philosophy consists of “oneness with everything” and “made of the same energy” and “we are Divine presence,” and “we are truth” and “Makes no difference the religion”. It is a worldly viewpoint, and I do not come from that viewpoint.
Again, there some great messages in these books, but I personally won’t be sharing them with the children in my life because of the strength of the new-age views that shine through.
Again, there some great messages in these books, but I personally won’t be sharing them with the children in my life because of the strength of the new-age views that shine through.