TROY'S AMAZING UNIVERSE: M for Mall [Paperback]

S. Kennedy Tosten (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Troy's Amazing Universe

Troy is special. He's the smallest kid in school and can barely speak a word. But inside his head there is an amazing universe that helps him through his difficult world. That world is rocked when he is abducted by strangers.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Booklocker.com, Inc. (May 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591133181
• ISBN-13: 978-1591133186
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,017,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surviving in an Amazing Universe, October 31, 2003

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: TROY'S AMAZING UNIVERSE: M for Mall (Paperback)

Seven year old Troy Tomler involuntarily embarks on an incredible journey when his family's minivan is carjacked - with him still inside! To the gas station,to the mall, and around town, readers travel with Troy and share in his discoveries and frustrations as he bravely faces dangers most seven-year-olds could not handle. Yet, there is something very special and unique about Troy - he can only speak using vowels! His restricted speaking abilities, however, do not hinder him from temporarily escaping the kidnappers, making friends, shopping alone and participating in a Christmas play. In spite of the disability most children and adults taunt him about, Troy proves to be a very smart, kindhearted, and fairly independent young boy.

S. Kennedy Tosten has done an excellent job depicting the thoughts, feelings, and actions of autistic children and adults in this enjoyable, lighthearted children's book. The story is told in first person from Troy's point of view, and, while adjusting to his voice and perspective might be difficult for some readers, the language of the story is very simple and easy to understand for children at almost any reading level.

I applaud Tosten's efforts in stepping out of the box and writing a children's book that increases awareness of autism and promotes acceptance of individuals dealing with the disorder by illuminating and discarding negative opinions. Children (and adults) need to be more cognizant of differences within the human race and learn to embrace those differences in each other, even if they don't quite fully understand. I highly recommend S. Kennedy Tosten's book TROY'S AMAZING UNIVERSE M FOR MALL to any parent looking to broaden their child's outlook on life with a fun-filled, action-packed story of a boy surviving in his own amazing universe.

Reviewed by Natasha T.
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mother's love letter to her son, October 21, 2004

By 

Kristin J. Johnson "Three-time published author" (Hilo, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TROY'S AMAZING UNIVERSE: M for Mall (Paperback)

The wisest people have written for children. This is certainly true of Sharon Kennedy Tosten's love letter to her mentally and physically challenged son Troy, who at 7 years old is much smaller than normal for his age. This book will touch your heart. Through Tosten's fictional character Troy Tomler's eyes, we learn the wonder of Mommy's smell like muffins, Daddy's smell like leather, the joy of DVDs, and the delight of getting gummies. Ordinary stuff, right? Not for Troy, who subtly teaches all of us a lesson in hope and courage.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars boy wonder!, September 16, 2003

By 

Rebecca Brown "rebeccasreads" (Clallam Bay, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TROY'S AMAZING UNIVERSE: M for Mall (Paperback)

What a wild ride! Looking at life from Troy's point of view is something else! Both exciting & amusing, not to mention quite scary & frustrating too!

Rebeccasreads recommends TROY'S AMAZING UNIVERSE as a good, weird & interesting read!