Customer Reviews

The (Strangest) Song: One Father's Quest to Help His Daughter Find Her Voice

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This is the first book to cover Williams syndrome and the genius musical abilities of many who have it. Science blends with autobiography in the moving story of a father's quest to help his mentally handicapped daughter - and his discovery of her musical gifts, which eventually convinced him that people with her disorder can be musical geniuses despite their impairments. His quest for understanding of the chemistry involved in her impairment and to make the most of her abilities leads Lenhoff to not only help his daughter become a musician, but to the establishment of the first residential college for mentally disabled musicians. Any collection strong in either biography, psychology or medical insights will want this; especially general-interest lending libraries.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch

An inspiring story about a young woman who, with the support & advocacy of her family, followed her passion for music with great success despite living with a genetic disorder.

Well written & engaging, this is a story everyone interested in the mysteries of the human brain or the extraordinary capacities of the human spirit should read.

The Strangest Song is truly a story of love and hope. It should be an inspiration to all parents who are dealing with the challenges of raising a child with any sort of mental differences. It recounts the many fears these parents faced and their difficult pursuit in finding the resources to help them. It was many years before they learned that there were other individuals who had the same genetic disorder. The sameness led them to discover the unusual ability their daughter had for music. It is thrilling to trace these early days to their daughter singing opera with the San Diego Symphony!

For a new Teachers Aide working with a boy who has WS in a mainstream class, this book has opened up a new world for me.
I can now take what I have learned to help him help himself. The most important aspect of this book is to work on the positives to keep moving forward - NOT to focus on what children with WS cannot achieve.
I remember writing an essay way back in high school called "The Power of Music". Little did I know then how music can affect a persons life in such a major way.
Bravo Gloria!