Review: Ginny Moon

Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a difficult book for me to read. First, there are children in my family who are autistic. Second, abuse, child abuse, hits me hard. I have personal experience with it. To have a main character dealing with both..I knew it was going to be difficult. There is out right child abuse and implied possible sexual abuse. From my experience, I believe sexual abuse happened. Fortunately the author of this book knew how to get the point across with having to detail it. I am grateful.
This book had me emotionally distraught a lot. I was angry at Gloria and even Crystal. I expected to be angry with them. I didn’t exactly expect to be angry with Maura. I was though, even when I could understand why, I was a bit angry at her. It is a heartbreaking story that is, unfortunately, very realistic. In the end it is triumphant but the road there was not one very many can walk.
I did find myself, at times, forgetting the age of Ginny. She thinks much younger than her physical age. Some may say it is her autism. Other the abuse she suffered. I think, perhaps, the two mixed together. This is a case where early childhood home setting interrupted the child’s growth. I was feeling, for awhile, that every adult was failing Ginny.
If you are looking for a book about a child’s experience on the autism spectrum, this one might not be what you are looking for. The child was influenced by neglect and abuse as much as the autism. However I do think it is a book worth reading. The author does do a very good job with portraying autism. I think he did well blending the neglect and child abuse with the autism. This book, in my opinion, makes an excellent choice for book clubs or buddy reads. It is a book you want to discuss. I know I do.

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Review: 34 Days

34 Days by Anita Waller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! I don’t want to take a chance and accidentally spill something with my review. This story was a surprise. I found myself holding my breath in so many places! There were many surprises and some shocks. Even the part where I knew what was going to happen, I was glued to it. If you enjoy thrillers, especially those that deal with family life, get this book! Actually get this and Strategy. They go together. This book ends but Strategy picks up what happens next in their lives. I haven’t read that one yet but when I reached the end and saw another part was available, I wanted to start it immediately. I’m betting you will too.
The book is British but I had no problems with it, (I’m American). I didn’t come across any words I needed to look up. Maybe because I have British friends or because I enjoy many British authors? I even enjoyed, and was able to picture in my mind, the football game.
Personal note: I would have read it much faster but my Dad was in the hospital so, of course, he came first. This is a definite page turner that you will have a hard time putting down. My advice, make some free time.

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