Customer Reviews

Mori's Story: A Book about a Boy with Autism (Meeting the Challenge)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a wonderful story to share with siblings and others who love a special needs child. Zachary's explanation of why Mori is not living at home with his family is wonderful and could be helpful to other siblings of special needs kids who have had to be placed in another residential setting. We have a very high functioning autistic child, yet this story still struck some very familiar and emotional spots in me. I think this will appeal to all families who have an autistic child. Thanks for writing and sharing this with us, Zachary!

Note: please disregard the rating; I had to place a rating so I could post the following comments. The next remarks are in response to the first two reviews appearing on this page.

Dear Readers,

I am Zachary Gartenberg, the author of Mori's Story. It has been ten years since I sat down to write the first draft of my book; I am now nineteen, Mori is eighteen, and I am happy to say that he is healthy and flourishing. Just recently, I came across the two reviews that appear first on this page, one entitled "Biased" and the other with a header that warns, "Only but this book if you sent your Autistic child away." I would like to address several things said in these reviews.

First, with respect to the first review, I acknowledge and regret my use of the term 'disease' in reference to Autism. I certainly do not conceive of Autism as a disease and understand it to be, as the author of this review points out, a neurobiological condition. At the age of nine, however, I did not perceive such a distinction; I am surprised my editor did not either.

With regard to both reviewers' claims that my parents "sent away" my brother, I must respond that I have never once questioned my parents' love and devotion to Mori. Thay have always done the best for him and always will. It is incorrect and unfair to say that we neglected Mori, becasue we sought the best behavioral treatment that was available for him, we did it without hesitation, and we did it with great sacrifice. We interact with Mori on a more-than-regular basis; he is a central part of our lives, a wonderful and enriching part. Finding an alternative living situation for Mori was a necessity that made every member of our family profoundly sad; we believe we did the right thing, nonetheless, in ensuring that Mori live with caring, responsible, and understanding people.

It has been quite some time since I sat down to re-read Mori's Story. Many things have changed since I wrote the book. One thing that hasn't changed is my family's unconditional love and respect for my brother. I hope that anyone who has read or will read my book will keep these comments in mind. I hope to write more on my brother in the future, and as I know more and am older, perhaps I am better equipped to do so now than I was ten years ago. But I will write about Mori in the future for the same reason I wrote about him in the past: I want to share what it means to accept, understand, and love a person who is different and special, and Mori has taught me that.

Doesn't every family who encounters autism come at it differently?

I went to high school with Zachary & Mori's uncle. I knew about the book, but had never seen it for sale. I was so thrilled when their grandmother pointed out where I could get "their" book. It's a loving book about a loving family. My own daughter is autistic. In part, I bought the book for a classroom school library -- I am also a special educator-- to share with other parents of disabled kids.

I will eagerly read anything else Zachary writes about his brother and family.

This is a good book written by a brother of an autistic child. No one should judge this family and the choices they made. It is not as though they hide Mori. They want what is best for him and in this situation, what was best seemed to be sending him to live with a family where he could get the help and focus he needed.
It seemed obvious to me the family is proud of him and wants him to be the best he can be and that meant leaving him with another local family. It had to be hard to make that decision.
This book is a story about how different people hand different situations due to different dynamics in a family.
I highly recommend it and recommend reading it without judging eyes.

I guess this is something that I feel strongly about. Because we have an autistic child who we love, care for, teach and could not imagine living without. It can be extremely exhausting at times but I could never imagine placing our child in another home. I don't want to judge the situation here but I bought this book thinking it was something our other son may relate to. Not so, since Mori does not live with his siblings except for visitation. Our other boy was extremely sad when he heard about Mori not living with his family. I could not recommend this book to anyone who is facing the trials as well as the rewards of living and loving a child with autism each and every day.