Reviewing LIFE ANIMATED by Ron Suskind

Reviewing LIFE ANIMATED by Ron Suskind

    This touching story of a family's struggle to understand what is happening with their young son, Owen, who suddenly stops talking or communicating any way with his brother who is 3 years older than him, and his parents.  Suddenly, nothing.  When the lad was 'normal' in every way.
    This book will hit deeply at your heart.  I was struck by the tremendous struggles, hopelessness of the 'opinions' the parents were receiving, and the cost of them.  But, they didn't quit.  When they have their first break-through with Owen and realize how he was trying to communicate with them, things finally begin to move, but still, I felt people were not encouraging.
   This helped 'me' in trying to relate to people who may appear 'different', when 'inside' we are all alike.  It is refreshing to read how the family used the Disney characters in such a beneficial way, and now their son is a functioning adult.
   We saw an interview with the author on the news and were amazed at what the Lord used to help the parents 'reach' their son.  I highly recommend everyone reading this book; whether you are working with autism or not, you will have your horizons expanded.  You will shed tears too.

BevK
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Reviewing ONCE WE WERE BROTHERS by Ronald H. Balson

Reviewing ONCE WE WERE BROTHERS by Ronald H. Balson.
This is the 2013 edition of the book, and it was the title that caught my eye.  Just think of it. "ONCE" ... I just had to read the book, and it so touched my heart and life.  You will be on an emotional journey throughout the book.  Well written, and descriptive. 
     A Jewish family in Poland take in a German boy and raise him as they were raising their own son.  Then Hitler rises up and families are split apart.  Jews are either killed or put in concentration camps, and during all of this, the Jewish lad falls in love, and that theme is carried throughout all the turmoil. The suffering and loss of everything is well described; trust is betrayed, and seemingly, all is lost.
     You will not be disappointed in the end, as things are 'put right' ... I believe you will never forget 'ONCE' ... and you'll agree with the author's outcome.  Oh, and, 'enjoy the dance' as you wipe away the tears.
   I highly recommend this book; the author makes every effort to keep it historically accurate.  Discussion questions are included at the end.  So much of 'history' is left out or changed today, as if it didn't happen; though this is a novel, it is a great book to enlighten people on 'our' history.

BevK
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