Walking Backward [Paperback]

Catherine Austen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2009 | Grade Level: 4 and up

When Josh's mother dies in a phobia-induced car crash, she leaves two questions for her grieving family: how did a snake get into her car and how do you mourn with no faith to guide you?

Twelve-year-old Josh is left alone to find the answers. His father is building a time machine. His four-year-old brother's closest friend is a plastic Power Ranger. His psychiatrist offers nothing more than a blank journal and platitudes.

Isolated by grief in a home where every day is pajama day, Josh makes death his research project. He tests the mourning practices of religions he doesn't believe in. He tries to mend his little brother's shattered heart. He observes, records and waits—for his life to feel normal, for his mother's death to make sense, for his father to come out of the basement.

His observations, recorded in a series of journal entries, are funny, smart, insightful—and heartbreaking. His conclusions about the nature of love, loss, grief and the space-time continuum are nothing less than life-changing.

(20100301)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The dead-parent genre is a busy one, but Austen breaks from the pack with this confident and peculiar debut Austen is more interested in people's alternately funny and haunting reactions to grief Austen is unsentimental about anger and regret, and that alone makes this a refreshing change of pace." (Booklist 20091001)

"The characters in Walking Backward are human, quirky and likeable Josh's narrative perspective gives it humor and emotional honesty An appealing book and a good pick for understanding the loss of a parent." (Puget Sound Council for Reviewing Children's Media 20091201)

"Differs from most bereavement stories in both its male narrator and its genuine, if quiet and rueful, humor The result is a book that perceptively gives weight to the small as well as the large ways bereavement can change a family and grief can intermix with the continuation of life." (Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 20091201)

"Satisfying and realistic. This book would be a good catalyst for discussions about the impact of phobias or dealing with grief. Recommended." (Resource Links 20100701)

"Josh's wise-beyond-his-years voice will admirably answer the call when young patrons ask for 'sad' books and also provide counsel when young people must deal first-hand with the loss of a loved one." (NMRLS Youth Services Book Review 20100101)

"Will resonate with those who have experienced a loss, even one not as traumatic as the loss of a mother, and its gentle portrayal of the stages of grief will strike a chord with those who are starting to think about the big questions of life and death and loss." (Book Notes (Center for Children's/Young Adult Books, MSU) 20100301)

"An original and entertaining take on grief and coping with loss...[Josh] is easy to relate to and sustains this story with his strong, thoughtful and funny voice." (Canadian Children's Book News 20110501)

"This will appeal to young people looking for a sad novel, as well as those wanting to relate to another's trauma...A definite success. Recommended." (Library Media Connection 20090904)

"A charming and sometimes whimsical story." (Washington State YA Book Review 20090915)

"This novel's refusal to sentimentalize loss or to accept quick or predictable solutions in conjunction with its ability to create a realistic and complex protagonist allows for a refreshing perspective on the story of the loss of a parent." (Canadian Literature 20091001)

"Josh's sense of humour, which lightens the somber subject matter of this novel, comes to light throughout the book...While professionals may find this novel useful as bibliotherapy, Walking Backward is much more than a therapeutic tool. With its well-drawn characters and depth of understanding, this work of children's literature should withstand the test of time...Highly Recommended." (CM Magazine 20091201)

"In this impressive debut novel, Josh keeps a journal to chart his feelings and thoughts, allowing readers to follow his journey from sadness to acceptance and the eventual return of cohesion in his family. Given the subject matter, the story is never maudlin, and Josh's voice rings natural and true. An elegantly crafted volume of lasting power." (Kirkus Reviews 20100201)

"Austen's protagonist is an endearing blend of smart-aleck and lost boy. The story - recounted in journal entries - deftly tackles such weighty topics as atheism, grief and the ties that bind a family together." (Montreal Review of Books 20091121)

"As Josh struggles to understand his family, moments of great tenderness and emotion emerge Josh comes to accept that dealing with loss is a messy, frustrating, and painful matter that cannot be avoided through mere ritual." (Quill & Quire )

"Throughout his emotional journey, Josh's voice is both natural and believable. Austen is both unsentimental and unapologetic in her employment of precise and elegant prose, and the complicated and often humorous reactions to grieving practices lend themselves to an enjoyable read." (School Library Journal )

"Austen comments - subtly, non-judgmentally - on the secular, nuclear nature of the contemporary North American family Her writing cuts straight to the heart. She delivers a wise, rich novel, wonderfully compelling for children and adults alike." (The Globe and Mail )

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Dr. Tierney sent a scribbled note with the journal. It's very important to write every time you have a strong feeling, Josh, and review the journal each week. So when someone makes me laugh or cry, I'm supposed to say, "Hey, man, I've got a strong feeling coming on," and rush off to write it down. It's supposed to be private, but Dad will probably sneak into my room to read it. Then he'll think I'm sad all the time, and that will turn him into a sad person too. Seriously, this thing is dangerous. (20091101)

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554691478
• ISBN-13: 978-1554691470
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,018,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Touching and raw, June 18, 2010

By 

Sonia (Boxborough, Morocco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Walking Backward (Paperback)

Walking Backward is an extremely sad novel, and while I usually never cry during books, this one caused me to fetch the box of tissues. The author does a fantastic job with developing her characters; the voice of young Josh is dark, doleful, and realistic for a twelve year old boy; his little brother Sammy is every bit as crazy and innocent as a four-year-old can be; his reclusive, slightly apathetic dad is beautifully written. Josh's voice tells of his family members' different ways of mourning the loss of a loved one. Sammy is confused and traumatized, seeking comfort in his Power Ranger, which he pretends to be his mother. His dad holes himself up in the basement all day, working on a time machine to bring his wife back. Every page of this short novel contains Josh's interesting musings about death, loss, and life in general. Direct and to the point, Josh virtually covers all the dark and happy thoughts of a boy recovering from loss.

Overall, this quiet read provokes thoughts about the way to mourn loss, move on, and begin to live life again. This book does not contain much of a plot, but it is driven on by the inner journey of Josh and his family. Despite its lack of action, I recommend this touching novel that will entice tears out of everybody's eyes.

4.0 out of 5 stars Walking Backward, March 17, 2010

By 

Sharon A. Somers "sharonluvscats" (ny) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Walking Backward (Paperback)

Walking Backward was a surprise hit for me. I've read a couple of books from Orca Publishing and was underwhelmed by all of them, so I didn't have high expectation for Walking Backwards. This was the second book in a week to make me cry. Walking Backwards should come with a box of tissues. You have to be made of stone not to cry when reading Walking Backward.

12 year old Josh has the world on his shoulder after his mom dies. His father is hiding out in the basement building a time machine, so he must tend to his little brother, and deal with his grief all on his own. Josh also goes to a therapist which results in the journal style of Walking Backward. Josh is a very strong and intelligent 12 year old boy. I love how he would go off on tangents about different types of snakes while trying to figure out who put the snake in the car that caused his mothers fatal car accident. Josh had a unique and compelling voice through the story. I was compelled to keep reading to see how his story would end.

The relationship that Josh has with his little brother is touching and overwhelmingly sad. These were the parts of the book that had me in tears. How do you explain to a little boy that his mommy is never coming back? How do you explain it to him when you are just a child yourself? It was fascinating to see how Josh handled this problem.

The ending of Walking Backward closes up nicely. Josh gets some answers about what caused his mothers accident and is able to start the healing process.

Overall, Walking Backward was a very well written book. With strong interactions among the characters and a solid ending. I would recommended Walking Backward to anyone who likes a good cry.

3.0 out of 5 stars Quiet novel exploring grief, family and religion, December 11, 2009

By 

Megan Snider "writemeg" (Maryland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Walking Backward (Paperback)

Grief is a tricky, tricky thing -- particularly when you have no guidelines to help you through it.

Such is the case for 12-year-old Josh, a young man whose mother has just died in a car accident. Alone for the first time with his four-year-old brother Sammy, who has taken to sleeping in Josh's bed and talking to his mother through a Power Ranger action figure, and his dad, who is now holed up in the basement watching home movies and working on a time machine, Josh is left to mourn his mother while simultaneously grappling with the fact that everything she once did -- and was -- has now vanished.

Catherine Austen's WALKING BACKWARD is a quiet novel about grief and unanswered questions and, as you'd expect, it's not exactly an uplifting read. The novel is Josh's journal, told entirely from his perspective, as requested from the grief counselor the family has been seeing after his mom's passing. Encompassing just a few months in the lives of this family, Josh is entirely preoccupied with determining the "right" way to grieve -- and trying to find a method that works best for he and Sam. Austen's skillful, nuanced explorations of the many world religions and how they mourn their dead was fascinating and, to me, the best part of the story.

Children grappling with the loss of a parent would relate to Josh's uncertainty and pain, and they're the audience to which I would most recommend this novel. And to other readers of all ages? Just be sure to have a box of tissues and a warm, comforting blanket handy.