Siblings Books

Anne Clinard Barnhill, born in 1952 relates the story of her life as sister to Becky, who was born 1/31/58. Becky displayed autistic behavior almost from infancy. She became continent at 4; was marginally verbal for the first few years of her life; communicated by phrasing her statements as questions, e.g. "Does the Becky want to eat? Why can't the Becky learn at home?" Anne, 6 years her sister's senior took Becky under her wing and was lovingly protective of her. She even spent her summers working with Becky on cognitive skills.

Sadly, precious little was known about autism in those days. Becky was erroneously labled as "emotionally disturbed" and even retarded. Sadly, this was not uncommon back then. Becky's schooling was also a problem - in 1965, she was expelled for disruptive behavior from one special needs class in West Virginia and saw a therapist. One group home refused to take her until she became fully self-sufficient in toileting. Although continent and reliable, Becky still needed help cleaning up. Once she mastered that skill, Pressley House, a group home/school was willing to accept her after placing her on a waiting list.

On October 1, 1966 the Clinards took Becky to Amos Cottage, which was an interim placement. Becky served 9 months in Amos Cottage which sounded like a genuine hellhole. Nurses ran the place and the lowest functioning children were kept in crib-cages with bars across the top. Becky talked of the "water babies in the basement," which sounded like she meant children with hydrocephalus. She was able to describe Amos Cottage, which sounded horrible. The Clinards were horrified by the place as anyone would be, but sadly there was no other place forthcoming for Becky.

In June of 1967 after a nearly 9-month sentence in Amos House, Becky enjoyed the annual family camping trip; had fun dodging her sister and sneaking off to the pool which was verboten and in general loving the outdoors. Despite many of her unexplainable behaviors, Anne remains loving and tolerant of Becky. I like that.

Becky's behavior remains severely autistic. She pulls dolls apart until they are limbless and headless; she flips any object in her path and she gives her sister the nickname "Jet," explaining that she thinks Anne's face is jet-plane shaped. (Kind of makes you think of Paul McCartney & Wings' song, "Jet.")

Anne talks about her own milestones; her love of the Beatles whom she discovered in late 1963; her boyfriends; her schools; her crushes; her peers and how they all related to Becky. I like the way she describes her response to the events of the day, e.g. Viet Nam War (she had classmates and friends who were drafted); hippies and the music and the family Ford Galaxie, a singularly cool car. One funny story involves how Anne and her friends got stuck in that Ford and rescued it, with great music from 1968 as the soundtrack.

Anne introduces readers to her family. Readers are treated to both sets of grandparents, aunts and cousins as well. One of my favorite parts was when the girls' mother would sing Beatle songs and emphasize the "yeah, yeah, yeah" chorus in the 1963 classic, "She Loves You." It just goes to show you that nobody could dodge that Beatle influence! Becky's classmates wanted her to choose Beatle songs for her ballet recital. The Beatles remain a comforting presence throughout the book.

Despite their vastly different needs and personalities, the sisters really do, as the Beatles said, "Come Together." Readers get to follow Anne down her growing up years and experience into adulthood; at the same time readers follow Becky's progress as well. Becky weathers some major storms, including abuse at a group home when she was 9-11.

Becky's sentence at Pressley House ended in 1971. Then 13, she went onto a special program at the local high school and secured a diploma in 1979 for merely attending. She worked at area sheltered workshops before she entered a group home in 1990 at age 32.

Readers get to cheer Anne's successes as well; a successful second marriage; a blessing of 3 sons; her degrees and her courage and candor in sharing her life and that of her immediate family. Readers are encouraged by Becky's progress as well. Their story has helped lift the Dark Curtain of the Dark Ages that acted as a barrier towards appropriate placement and diagnosis for people with autism. Sadly, few options existed in those days.

In addition to the Beatle parts which I readily identified with and understood, I like the way Anne Clinard Hill opens each chapter with a passage from "The Wizard of Oz." This classic is one she and Becky have loved over the decades and do to this day.

This book makes me think of the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from "The Wizard of Oz." Readers cannot help but think that in time the Path to Acceptance and recognition of autism is closer than over that rainbow and is tangible, not illusive. I am one of the people who thinks that. I like the way Becky accepts herself as well and I think this is one of the best books I have ever read about a sibling who has autism.

This book explores the often unnoticed side of being a so-called 'normal' (or 'neurotypical') person who loves someone with a mental disorder, namely autism. I found this memoir refreshing in the way that it unapologetically gives voice to those of us on the other side of the coin--those of us who have done our best to stretch our love outside of the box by often putting our own needs on hold to be good family. This book will especially appeal to baby boomers who have grown up with autistic siblings during a time when the disorder was still unnamed, as it addresses the historically inaccurate 'parental blame' theory of the disorder's etiology. I would recommend this book to anyone who has been touched by someone with a mental disorder, and anyone who considers themselves an advocate for the mentally ill.

A great book to help your typical child deal with some of the issues of having an autistic child.

This book was recommended by another mom of a special needs boy with a younger brother. I read it to my 8 year old who's older brother has autism. It describes sympathically but honestly our own family story over the past few years. It 'normalised' what seems sometimes to just be happening to our family. I well recommend this book to anyone trying to explain or understand family life for those of us with kids on the spectrum of autismin the first few years.

I can understand why readers are hesitant to read it. I mean, who wants to read a story about some kid taking care of his little brother? Especially a toddler who cries and whines.

But the truth is that Akachan to Boku (released in the US by VIZ as Baby & Me) is a wonderful manga series full of love, laughter and tears. The characters are wonderful. The cast is full of well rounded characters that are flawed and truthful.

The story is centered around 10-year-old Takuya. He and his little brother Minoru have lost their mother in a tragic accident. Their father is loving, but is often busy with work. Poor Takuya must spend his free-time taking care of a toddler.

The manga is full of slice of life moments in the lives of the men/boys of this family. It's heartwarming, sweet, and also tragic. Throughout the story, you feel for Takuya, the pressures in his life, and the loss. But also for Minoru, who is a curious 2 year old. There are great bits with both of them in school. And with wacky neighbors.

I don't know if I can express how touching the story is (without major spoilers). I think teens will relate to Takuya, the stress he feels, and the unfairness life sometimes holds.

The story of these two little brothers is really good. It basically follows the relationship of these two little brothers as they deal with everyday life; school, friendships, and home life. It has made me cry at times and made me laugh tons of times. Her drawings of the expression on the smallest boy are amazing, the biggest and most expressive eyes in all the manga world..lol..sooo cute!!! I highly recommend this cute little story.

Baby Blue is a very realistic and emotional story with a strong message. It lets all the "Blues" of the world realize that they are not alone, and it may give them the strength to look for a solution to their situation. Michelle Kwasney writes in a manner that allows the reader to feel the emotions experienced by Blue and her sister Star. As a teacher, it has helped me to better understand the plight of children living in an abusive setting. This book is an excellent resouce for teachers!

This wonderful novel gripped me from the first page. I literally could not put it down. The character development was so realistic and so compelling that I feel as if I know Star, Blue, Ceil, and even Jinx and Pa like family. I remember that as I read the first chapters I wished I could hurry the story along because I was so invested in the story as it unfolded. Then, as I got to the end of the book, I didn't want it to end. I got a decaf, a popsicle, etc... just trying to prolong the beautiful drama and emotions I felt as I read it. Also, the author's descriptions, like the "fruit stripe gum" lamp, just etched this clear picture in my mind that is unforgetable. I hope this is just the beginning for this author, as I am looking forward to more. As a teacher, I can see how this novel, with it's sensitive handling of a difficult topic, could be ideal for the curriculum of most middle schools and high schools. I honestly haven't felt so caught up in a book since I re-read Jane Eyre last summer. I hope many others will read it and post their reviews, as I will be interested in your impressions.

I loved this book. It was written by Max's mom and she used his words to describe his reactions to her pregnancy, visiting the hospital before the baby was born, meeting his baby sister and life at home following. Max does get upset with all the attention paid to his sister, but he learns to adjust and loves his little sister. An added bonus, mom breastfeeds! Great black and white photos go along with the narration. Thank you Laskeys for producing this fun and realistic view of new siblinghood from the point of view of the older sibling.

The title character, Max, is now all grown up. But he is still as adorable as he was at age 5. This book is absolutely charming (especially if you know Max)

This is the book to help an older sibling deal with a new baby. It empowers to older brother to feel that he has a special role for the new baby that only he can feel. It worked magic with my 2 1/2 year old when he first had a new baby sister. And, we still at times read it now that he is 5 and she is 2 1/2. And, my kiddos have a magical relationship (most of the time)

This is a very good family related book, in full color, that tells how a big brother relates and adjusts to a new baby brother's addition in the family. It tells about building an excellent relationship with the newest member, and is a joy to read. It would be of interest to students in the seventh grade.

My daughters continuously request this book when we go to the library. They decided to purchase it the next time we go to a book store. They enjoyed the pictures and were eager to see what would occur the next evening in the story. A Fun Book!

My son loved this book! As the recent "winner" of a newborn baby sister, my two-and-a-half year-old son was most interested in any book that addressed his concerns. He asked Mommy and Daddy to read THIS book night after night, and it was evident that it helped him with his own feelings of anxiety, and love, for his new sister. It's a very enjoyable book, with lovely pictures

This book will teach kids that having a baby brother or sister isn't all that bad. This book shows that if children just wait, their baby sibling might actually be fun to play with when they are older.

This cute little book is ideal for an older sibling who wonders how things will change when a new baby comes to live with the family. The book also includes a very nice, appealing portrayal of breastfeeding and how older siblings will still get Mama's attention while baby is nursing.

Barry's Sister is a wonderful book that I like because it shows some conflicts that children face in real life. This story is about a twelve year old girl, named Ellen. One day when she came back from school, her mom told her that she was pregnant. When she heard that, she felt jealous, but after all she was only beginning to face her long-hidden rage against her father a Naval officer aboard a nuclear submarine, for being away most of the time. She didn't like the idea of a new baby that would mess up her life, so she prays that the baby would disappear. When her brother Barry was born, he had cerebral palsy. Ellen felt that her terrible prayer was responsible, so she suffered overwhelming guilt. She decided that she hated Barry and wanted nothing to do with him. Then her mother's new friend, Maribeth, who had a disabled son, helped Ellen to see things differently. Maribeth explained to Ellen all about disability and cerebral palsy. So, then, Ellen understood and began to see things differently, and became dedicated to Barry, almost becoming a mother to him. She saw herself as a mother, caring for her cub, single-minded and ferociously protective. This is mostly interesting for girls but it does have appeal for any girl about age 12 or older. Mothers would also find it interesting.

Barry's Sister is a wonderful book that I like because it shows some conflicts that children face in real life. This story is about a twelve year old girl, named Ellen. One day when she came back from school, her mom told her that she was pregnant. When she heard that, she felt jealous, but after all she was only beginning to face her long-hidden rage against her father a Naval officer aboard a nuclear submarine, for being away most of the time. She didn't like the idea of a new baby that would mess up her life, so she prays that the baby would disappear. When her brother Barry was born, he had cerebral palsy. Ellen felt that her terrible prayer was responsible, so she suffered overwhelming guilt. She decided that she hated Barry and wanted nothing to do with him. Then her mother's new friend, Maribeth, who had a disabled son, helped Ellen to see things differently. Maribeth explained to Ellen all about disability and cerebral palsy. So, then, Ellen understood and began to see things differently, and became dedicated to Barry, almost becoming a mother to him. She saw herself as a mother, caring for her cub, single-minded and ferociously protective. This is mostly interesting for girls but it does have appeal for any girl about age 12 or older. Mothers would also find it interesting.

I loved the Beverly Cleary books when I was growing up, but I discovered another great way to enjoy them when I came across this audiotape of her classic, Beezus and Ramona.

Stockard Channing is a fabulous reader who creates distinctive voices for all the characters, especially the little sister Ramona. I have three boys, but they could all relate to the trials and tribulations of having a little sister who consistently annoys, embarrasses and then appears to outwit you.

A great story to enjoy on road trips or even just on the way to the grocery store.

Is there *anyone* on the planet who doesn't like Beverly Cleary's books and the wonderful characters she created?

Beezus and Ramona (along with Henry Huggins and the rest of the gang on Klikitak Street) were part of my childhood. 40 years later, they were just as appealing to my own son. And don't tell anyone -- although we bought these audiobooks when he was about 8, at 12 he still likes to put these on ocassionally and listen. Why? In large part because of Stockard Channing's masterful performance here. Her rendition of Ramona is EXACTLY how we imagine this impish little creature would talk.

I highly recommend these books, both because of the delightful stories and characters that Mrs. Clearly created for us, and because Stockard Channing has brought them to life so perfectly here. The stories are reminiscent of simpler times and will take parents back to their own childhoods while providing toddlers to tweens with good, wholesome entertainment.

We listened on road trips, and unlike certain kids entertainment (a certain purple dinosaur comes to mind), you won't want the kids to wear headphones to preserve your sanity. You'll want it on the main speakers for everyone in the car to enjoy.

Five stars!