Written by Rhiannon Navin
Review written by Diana Iozzia
"Only Child" follows the lives that continue on after being affected by a gunman who enters an elementary school. Zach Taylor is a quiet and kindhearted first grader who survives the shooting, in which his brother, Andy, and 18 other people were killed. Zach's family is destroyed by this, but soon you learn that it was breaking down before the tragedy. After the shooting, Zach begins having meltdowns and terrible nightmares. He also starts having accidents. His father goes back to work, while his mother spends her time interviewing for news stations. Zach makes a comfortable hideaway in Andy's closet, where he feels close to his brother. He feels an incredible amount of emotions for his brother, sadness, regret, embarrassment, loss, anger. Zach also reads "The Magic Treehouse" stories to Andy.
This is one of the sadddest books I've ever read. It's a beautiful story of love juxtaposed with the tragedy no family should ever endure. Zach's perspective as a first grader is so real and honest with his language and narrative. I can guarantee this will be a very important book. I thought this was absolutely wonderful, but you really do need a form of catharsis after reading this. It leaves a whole in your chest.
* I received a complementary review copy through the publisher. *
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