Title: MockingbirdAuthors: Katheryn Erskin
Publisher: Puffin; Reprint edition (February 3, 2011)
Format: Hardcover
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Library
Ages 10 and Up
When it comes to books that discuss social issues, I am always unsure on how to approach my review. Do I want to delve into the hot button issues or do I want to read the book and appreciate the characters and situations that the author introduces me to.
With this book, I chose the latter.
I adored Caitlin. Her world is black and white, there are no confusing double meanings and no topic that she is not blunt about. Yes is Yes, No is No and facial expressions do not always match the words, to which, she has no idea which to follow.
Caitlin has Asperger’s. She does not consider herself autistic and is confused when that word is used to describe her. She does not act like the “autistic kids”, so do not call her one.
Caitlin’s brother Devon was killed in a school shooting, this has devastated their father who is a single parent after losing his wife to cancer and has no idea how to handle both the losses and the raising of a daughter that does not communicate with the world in an easy way. Big brother Devon comes across as the perfect child, he was the one that could explain the world to Caitlin. He was the one that calmed her and smoothed out the bumps in her life.
Since the shooting, Caitlin has decided that she must find c-l-o-s-u-r-e. She has looked the word up in her dictionary and she is sure that if she can just find this “thing” her life will go back to the way it was with Devon. With the help of a school counselor and a few parts from the home improvement store, Caitlin and her father set out to find this elusive closure and in so doing, Caitlin’s small black and white world just might begin to have a little color.
The book is told from Caitlin’s perspective, and because of that, there are some very funny moments. The subject matter is delicate and, I was not sure if I should laugh, but to be honest, Catlin’s perspectives are funny. She has her own thought processes, insights and logic and because of her view of the world, the reader on occasion, stops and ponders and in a quirky way, realizes that Caitlin does make perfect sense. Seeing the world from this wonderful child’s eyes is enlightening. You cheer on her accomplishments and gasp as her forthrightness and in the end, you shed a tear of joy for the advances that she has made.
I loved this book and the character of Caitlin and know that both will stay with me for a good long while.
With this book, I chose the latter.
I adored Caitlin. Her world is black and white, there are no confusing double meanings and no topic that she is not blunt about. Yes is Yes, No is No and facial expressions do not always match the words, to which, she has no idea which to follow.
Caitlin has Asperger’s. She does not consider herself autistic and is confused when that word is used to describe her. She does not act like the “autistic kids”, so do not call her one.
Caitlin’s brother Devon was killed in a school shooting, this has devastated their father who is a single parent after losing his wife to cancer and has no idea how to handle both the losses and the raising of a daughter that does not communicate with the world in an easy way. Big brother Devon comes across as the perfect child, he was the one that could explain the world to Caitlin. He was the one that calmed her and smoothed out the bumps in her life.
Since the shooting, Caitlin has decided that she must find c-l-o-s-u-r-e. She has looked the word up in her dictionary and she is sure that if she can just find this “thing” her life will go back to the way it was with Devon. With the help of a school counselor and a few parts from the home improvement store, Caitlin and her father set out to find this elusive closure and in so doing, Caitlin’s small black and white world just might begin to have a little color.
The book is told from Caitlin’s perspective, and because of that, there are some very funny moments. The subject matter is delicate and, I was not sure if I should laugh, but to be honest, Catlin’s perspectives are funny. She has her own thought processes, insights and logic and because of her view of the world, the reader on occasion, stops and ponders and in a quirky way, realizes that Caitlin does make perfect sense. Seeing the world from this wonderful child’s eyes is enlightening. You cheer on her accomplishments and gasp as her forthrightness and in the end, you shed a tear of joy for the advances that she has made.
I loved this book and the character of Caitlin and know that both will stay with me for a good long while.
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