I loved this book! Thanks, Livi's Lane, for suggesting it.
This book made me really think about how easy it is to judge another person by their appearance, the way they talk, etc. God made each and every one of us "special"! He sees the end of the road and all the curves and tunnels in between. And, like Holden, even when we can't express ourselves, He already knows. There have been times when things had me so bothered that when I went to pray, I didn't even know how to tell God! I'm so glad I didn't have to. He could already see my heart and the burden that had it so heavy. What an awesome God we serve!
Discussion Questions
1. Do you know anyone on the autism spectrum? Tell us about that person and what you have learned from them.
2. What did you learn about autism by reading this book?
3. Holden's father left his family to work on a fishing boat in Alaska. Why do you think he did that? Have you ever ran or wanted to run from a situation?
4. Suzanne and Randy pulled away from the Harris family after Holden's diagnosis of autism. Have you seen a handicap or disorder seperate friends before?
5. What did you learn from the friendship between Tracy and Suzanne?
6. Have you ever had a broken friendship? What did you learn from the situation? Was there ever resolution?
7. Michael Schwartz was a quiet kid who didn't fit in the way the popular kids did. Do you know anybody like Michael? Did you befriend them? Why or why not?
8. What did you learn from the character of Michael Schwartz?
9. Why do you think people bully other people?
10. What did you learn from the character of Ella?
11. Did Holden's story give you hope for your own life or make you feel hopeful for someone you love? Did it affect your level of faith?
Leave your answers to these questions and any thoughts you have about the book in the comments.
2 comments:
Sorry it's taken me this long to respond.
This book made me think outside my own little box. Usually it's just me, my family, maybe a few friends and really, that's all. I get so busy doing our little things that I don't really pay attention to what might be happening with someone else. I have a friend who has a two year old with autism. I see what a struggle it is for them. But I am the same one who will be in a store and hear a child screaming and be like..!!!! You never know other people's stories until you ask. You might be able to assist them in some way. Esp. through prayer. You know, bearing one another's burdens. Reaching out is uncomfortable to me, so this book kind of stretched me more in that direction.
This is also a book of faith and hope. Those lessons can be applied to our day to day lives in a powerful way. We all have issues that we are praying for the Lord to "unlock."
Well said!! I know exactly what you mean about screaming kids in the store. I've done the very same thing. :( Lately, tho, I've been asking the Lord to help me not to judge by how things appear.
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