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| "Mockingbird" by Kathryn Erskine |
I like stories that are emotional. Your novel, Mockingbird, is one of my favorites because it is the most touching book I have ever read.
The story of Caitlin Smith was very moving, because I could feel her emotions, especially after she lost her brother and mother, and lived with a depressed father. It really hurt me to see an eleven year old girl struggle so much with life. But it was interesting to see her think very differently from other people because she suffered from Asperger’s syndrome. It was fascinating to see her creativity and imagination to find comfort when she was depressed.
The part where Caitlin went inside the chest pretending to be Devon’s heart was the most intense part for me. I have a twin brother, and to see how much she wanted her brother back was heartbreaking. The way she looks differently at the world, for instance how she hates recess at school, shows how complex her conditions were. The way you described her thoughts and feelings was very expressive.
In fact, your book got me interested in Asperger’s syndrome and I did some research on diseases that involve the human brain. I learned a lot about autism. I also talked to my father about autism. He took me to a talk by Temple Grandin, who is a successful professor of animal science and an author, despite being autistic. I wanted to learn more, and my father rented a movie about Temple Grandin.
I was surprised with my determination to find out more. This book opened a new path for me, and now I know so much about autism. I felt different because for the first time I was willing to read till late at night about autism, and I felt like I achieved something.
I was engrossed in your book also because of my interest in medicine. I have always wanted to become a doctor because I like helping people. Many of my family members are doctors, and they have inspired me since I was five. This book made me better understand mental disorders like Asperger’s syndrome and autism.
In the movie "Temple Grandin", there was a phrase that struck me. Temple Grandin’s mother told Temple that she is “different but not less”. This made me remember the part where Caitlin was called a “freak” when she was only trying to help. I now want to understand others better, no matter what physical or mental disease they may have.
Thank you for your book. It really helps in making people understand each other better.
In the movie "Temple Grandin", there was a phrase that struck me. Temple Grandin’s mother told Temple that she is “different but not less”. This made me remember the part where Caitlin was called a “freak” when she was only trying to help. I now want to understand others better, no matter what physical or mental disease they may have.
Thank you for your book. It really helps in making people understand each other better.
Yours sincerely,
