“My memory is like a film….And when people ask me to remember something I can simply press Rewind and Fast Forward and Pause like on a video recorder….If someone says to me, ‘Christopher, tell me what your mother was like,’ I can rewind to lots of different scenes and say what she was like in those scenes.”
I was simply enchanted by this book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. One of my dear friends gave to to last year to take on a trip to Florida. She had mentioned it was kind of a mystery and the main character was a teenage boy living with Asperger’s Syndrome. But this book was just so much more! I finally picked it up yesterday morning… and then read it start to finsh.
My girlfriend has 2 sons who are living with Asperger’s Syndrome. Asperger’s is a high functioning form of autism. Within the homeschooling community I have met many families who have a child with Asperger’s. These children have almost always faced severe bullying n school and tend not to thrive in a school setting. I know there are many sides to the issue- however from my experience I can only see it as cruel to try and force a child or adolescent into a school or institutionalized setting, its very nature sets up the child for failure and misery, buts that;s another post.
The book open with Christopher, 15 , discovery he neighbor’s dog, Wellington, dead- killed with a pitchfork. The story is written entirely from Christopher’s point of view as he tries to solve the puzzle of who and why it happened. Christopher is somewhat of a math wizard and loves logic and puzzles. The book is liberally sprinkled with interesting math problems and puzzles that I found delightful- some that have really given me cause to think. ( especially the “Monty Hall Problem”
The book was refreshing and touching. It gave us a glimpse of how another type of person’s mind works- and his own sense of logic. I found it beautiful.
There is some strong language and mature content if that is a concern. The book would be a good read from about ages 12+ depending on the child. You may also want to read aloud and discuss.
This book would be a great springboard for talking about all kind of the things- difference in people. acceptance, tolerance and expression.
This has been one of my favourite books of the year- I HIGHLY recommend.
Related The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Links:
”Whitbread Book Awards” Book of the Year Winner 2003
Mathematical Association of America book review
Suggested Discussion Questions for the Book: http://www.readinggroupguides.com/guides3/curious_incident_dog1.asp
Author Mark Haddon;s Offical Website (EXCELLENT!) http://www.markhaddon.com/
Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Book Recommendations, Book Recommendations for Boys, Book Recommendations: Books for Girls, Book of the Month Books, General Homeschool and Unschooling at 4:52 PM EDT
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This month’s book:
“Twilight” By Stephanie Meyer
From the Publisher:
About three things I was absolutely positive:
First, Edward was a vampire.
Second, there was a part of him–and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be–that thirsted for my blood.
And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
“I’D NEVER GIVEN MUCH THOUGHT TO HOW I WOULD DIE– I’d had reason enough in the last few months –but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this. . . . Surely it was a good way to die, in the place of something else, someone I loved. Noble, even. That ought to count for something.”
When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret.
What Bella doesn’t realize is the closer she gets to him, the more she is putting herself and those around her at risk. And, it might be too late to turn back. . . .
Deeply seductive and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight will have readers riveted right until the very last page is turned.
Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Book Recommendations: Books for Girls, Books for 10-12 year Old Girls at 1:47 PM EDT
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July 21st is the Day! The final installment of Harry Potter will be released. I am meeting this day with mixed feelings. Its like reading a great book and being a little sad when it is over- wishing you had never read it so you could read it for the first time all over again.
You can pre-order your copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows through Amazon.com ins the US here : US Pre-Order Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
If you are in Canada save on shipping and order from Amazon.ca : Canadian Pre-Order Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
There is also an “adult” version- which means a different jacket cover, and it can be also bepre-ordered Adult Edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallowshere
I am not sure yet if the two version will vary- often the American version is a bit different and been “Americanized” and Canadian is the same as the British publication.
Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Book Recommendations for Boys, Book Recommendations: Books for Girls, General Homeschool and Unschooling at 2:00 PM EST
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I know- I am posting a lot of book recommendations this week- We are in a reading frenzy at our house right now.
Another great find from om in one of my homeschool groups: The Children of Green Knowe
L. M. Boston’s thrilling and chilling tales of Green Knowe, a haunted manor deep in an overgrown garden in the English countryside, have been entertaining readers for half a century. Now the children of Green Knowe–both alive and ghostly–are back in appealing new editions.
The spooky original illustrations have been retained, but dramatic new cover art by Brett Helquist (illustrator of A Series of Unfortunate Events) gives the books a fresh, timeless appeal for today’s readers.
Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Book Recommendations, Book Recommendations for Boys, Book Recommendations: Books for Girls, Books for 8-12 Year Olds, General Homeschool and Unschooling at 10:49 AM EST
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This is an absolutely delightful series of 8 books- I believe it is now a TV series in Australia. The The books have a very homeschool-y feel to them. They make a great read aloud books for younger kids- and are good for 9-12 year olds. REALLY exceptional!
When four siblings go on holiday in The Lake District in England they create their own world and adventures over the summer. They camp out on an island with no adults! The books were written in the 1930’s but other then the fact that they look forward to tinned tongue for lunch you would never know it!
From the publisher:
The first title in Arthur Ransome’s classic series, originally published in 1930: for children, for grownups, for anyone captivated by the world of adventure and imagination. Swallows and Amazons introduces the lovable Walker family, the camp on Wild Cat Island, the able-bodied catboat Swallow, and the two intrepid Amazons, Nancy and Peggy Blackett.
Swallows and Amazons (Godine Storyteller)
Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Book Recommendations, Book Recommendations for Boys, Book Recommendations: Books for Girls, Books for 8-12 Year Olds, General Homeschool and Unschooling at 10:39 AM EST
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