Customer Reviews

Trout and Me

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

 

 

Shreve did a great job in demonstrating the way a child with ADD makes poor choices. As the mother of three grown ADD children, I can only wish this book had been written sooner. The storyline is very accurate, and I believe it might serve as an awakening, of sorts, to kids who have been diagnosed with ADD. They will certainly be able to see themselves in the characters of Ben and Trout. And it should be encouraging to parents to at least give medication a try.

I have a grandson with ADD, so I'm pretty familiar with the subject. I thought susan shreve did an excellent job in portraying the nuances of the character in an ADD child.Most of the story was very authentic and honest, especially the poignant portrayal of the effects of "being different' and being labeled as such. The author's best scenes are the ones that take place inside the head of the protagonist. We really feel Ben's pain and isolation.
My big concern with the book is that the parents lie to the principal about Ben's taking ritalin. When the principal urges them to put him on it because of the difficulties he's having, the parents, who are intelligent educated people (the mother is a pharmacist) inform the principal that Ben is using the drug, while in fact, they won't allow him to take it.
I know Ritalin isn't for everyone, but why set an example of parents who tell their son to lie about taking the medication to a person of authority who seems to want to help him?
This aspect of an otherwise very good book make me uncomfortable. Therefore, I have concerns about recommending this book to others.