Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Book Review: Mockingbird

Mockingbird is a middle grade novel by Kathryn Erskine about a child with Asperger's trying to cope with the violent death of her brother due to a school shooting. Caitlyn is a believable character trying to deal with life by Looking At The Person and other tricks she learns from Mrs. Brook. In the course of the novel, Caitlyn learns about empathy and making friends, most notably with the young son of another shooting victim and a more tepid friendship with a relative of the shooter.

The story is entirely told by Caitlyn's perspective, which reveals some beauty as she tries to understand other people, their emotions, and works toward finding closure for herself and the people around her, especially her new friends who were also affected by the tragedy.

The ending is moderately satisfying, but this is worth a read for the perspective. Erskine does a magnificent job of seeing life through the lens of a child with Asperger's syndrome.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Valentine's Day fun!

I saw a post on Pinterest about showing your appreciation for your loved ones by posting hearts on their doors with reasons you love them every day for the first 14 days of February. I decided to try this with my kids. (Note: this picture was taken on Feb. 3, so only three hearts were on the door.)


My entire family has loved this! I have teenagers who don't like to talk to me or anyone else in the family, but they race to read each other's doors every day and joke about what was posted today. They laugh about me running out of ideas if two have the same message. I post these hearts for my spouse as well, and he quoted one of my heart messages recently, letting me know he read them and appreciated them.

These new "conversation" hearts are making my family stand a little taller, seem a little more happy, talk a little more and maybe feel more confident this Valentines day season. Who doesn't like to be complimented every day?