By Kate Swensen

I just picked the up the memoir, Forever Boy, by Kate Swensen written by a student I had as a 7th grader many years ago. Kate’s book has already received raving reviews. Her book chronicles her challenge of raising and teaching and living with an autistic child. Already the author of the blog, Finding Cooper’s Voice, Kate has received and given support to other parents of special needs children for several years.

Although I have just started reading, Kate’s honesty as she shares her journey, her struggles, those of her family and Cooper’s siblings is heartwarming – and heart-wrenching at the same time. She takes care to remind the reader in the first chapter, though, that her book is not a sad book, but rather a journey to finding joy. The joy she finds in her son, and the gift he brings to her family and the world, will keep me turning the pages. I hope I have enough midnight oil 😉