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There are currently 22 member reviews
for Only Child
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Elaine
Only Child by Rhiannon Navin
Only Child is a great book to read. I was hooked from the first page. The book flows very well. It is a hard subject matter to read about, but written through the eyes of a child is very interesting. You will truely think a child has written this, not because of the writing but because of his views and how he tried to handle a school shooting and the lost of his brother. The author did a wonderful job of giving us his view. I would recommend this book for all book clubs.
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Terrie J. (Eagan, MN)
A Great Read
I really enjoyed this book. The book starts with a school shooting and the rest of the story deals with family strife and healing. The concept of writing this book through the eyes of a 6 year old was brilliant. I felt it truly captured a child's view of the events - his fears, guilt and loss. It was a good reminder to us that a child can see clearly right from wrong and the importance of love over hate - they don't get caught up in the outside opinions that can influence adults.
The author wrote this book beautifully. I read it in 3 days and couldn't wait to pick it up the next day to see what happened.
I have already recommended this book to others and will be recommending it to my book group.
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Monica P. (Cleves, OH)
Only Child
This a very well written book told from the perspective of a six year old who not only survived a school shooting, but lost his ten year old brother in the tragedy. The way the chapters are arranged makes for a compelling story and I was very glad I read it. The characters are very real and the little boy manages to wade through some pretty deep emotions on his own. It would make an excellent movie.
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Jill F. (Blackwood, NJ)
Wow!
Not since "Room" have I read a book that was so different from anything that I had ever read nor stuck with me so long as "Only Child." If I could have given this book a 10 instead of a 5, I would have. The fact that this is a debut novel blows me away! I cannot recommend it highly enough. Read it!!!!
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Liz B. (McKinney, TX)
Only Child
This is a fabulous debut novel from Rhiannon Navin. A story with many similarities to the tragedy in Sandy Hook, the novel unfolds from the perspective of six-year old survivor, Zack Taylor. His family struggles with so many emotions, encompassing grief, anger, and disbelief. Hard to read and yet so compelling, the author allows the innocence, and sometimes even humor, of Zack's voice to shine. I would highly recommend this book. Book clubs will have hours of discussion topics. I loved it!
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Doris K. (Angora, MN)
Only Child
This was a dynamic book...It was sometimes hard to read because of the subject matter. However, when it is narrated by a six year old there are many classic statements. One example is when Zach goes with his father to hear the mayor speak: "The mayor didn't have a lot of hair on his head, only around the back. He was very tall...so he was bending down to talk in the microphone...the top of his head was shiny and he looked like a regular person, not like the boss of a whole city." The book is filled with wonderful thoughts like this.
The innocence and wisdom of a small child was portrayed very well by this author. This is a good read for anyone, but keep the tissue box handy.
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Anna R. (Oak Ridge, TN)
Through the Eyes of a Small Boy
Sometimes a book comes along that begs you to just sit and read it. That was the case with Only Child. I read it in two afternoons.
The story of a school shooting and the aftermath told through the voice of a six-year-old boy was astounding.
His way of expressing his feelings and his insights are far beyond those of most of the adults. His parents are so grief-stricken they fail to see how he is coping.
I will remember this story for a long time and when it is in paperback, it will be on the reading and discussion list for my book group.
Unfortunately, we read about tragedies like this all too often. The author did an exceptional job of telling a story of a family after such a horrible event. I have always wondered how children who survived a school shooting coped.
This is an excellent book and I recommend it.
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