Only Child

Wow, wow, wow! I loved this book. I struggled a little at the beginning to get into the swing of the narrative which is written from the perspective of a six year old boy. The child's voice is such a powerful one that I did check back once or twice to make sure that I hadn't been mistaken; that this was actually a book for an adult, not a child. However, once I had settled into it I found the story absolutely enthralling.
Zach is the little brother of Andy aged 10, now deceased, who was one of the innocent child victims murdered by a shooter at his school. This story focuses on the aftermath; the families, the feelings, the intensity, the media interest.
Having just read 'A Mother's Reckoning' by Sue Klebold, mother of one of the Columbine High School Shooters, 'Only Child' really resonated with me, being on the other side of a shooting event, so to speak.
Written with tremendous compassion and understanding, Rhiannon Navin writes a genuinely believable story based in the heart and mind of a young child. I am full of admiration at her ability to write a credible account from this perspective for adult readers.
A powerful and thought provoking book that you will continue to reflect on long after you've finished the final page.
I give this book 5 stars.

An incredibly heartbreaking story, told from the viewpoint of Zach, a seven year old boy who was present at the school shooting which resulted in the death of his ten year old brother.

The story is gripping from page one, Rhiannon Navin does an absolutely fantastic job of capturing the pain of a family torn apart by a horrific tragedy. We see Zach having to try and understand the wide range of emotions that he is not only feeling himself, but also witnessing his parents feel - each of them are dealing with the loss in a different way. Hearing the child's perspective on an incident they don't really understand is extremely thought provoking.

I honestly couldn't put the book down - an exceptional and moving read. Looking forward to reading more from Rhiannon Navin.

I enjoyed this book as it showed the effects of incidents such as this from a child’s perspective. Would definitely recommend and it is relevant to modern times.

Gripping but heartbreaking story told from the perspective of a 7 year old boy. The story of how he brings his family back together after a deeply traumatic event - made even more poignant by what seems to happening in the US on a monthly basis. Harrowing but at the same time uplifting,

This is one of those books where you race through going 'just one more chapter' and before you know it you've (sadly) reached the end. Loved it.

I would read this again and again - in fact, I have - and if you have lost a child or a sibling, please read this book. It will make you cry, for the bad, the good and the ugly. It will give you hope too.

Six-year-old Zach is at school, happily sitting at his desk when the gunman strikes. His teacher Springs to action and the class manages to hide and survive.

His older brother, Andy, doesn't.

The whole story is told by Zach. His thoughts, his feelings, his grief and anger.

And his hope.

Amazing and extremely well written. Zach is a very good teacher…
I would love to read more from this author too.

Elsa

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

OMG, this book is heart breaking - I was brought to tears on several occasions. The story is poignantly told through the innocence and honesty of Zach.

I will come back as soon as I get a chance (and it isn’t 1:00am) and review this book properly, but this is DEFINITELY the best book I’ve read this year and by this year, I mean the last 12 months and not specifically 2018.
Zach is such a wonderful little protagonist but all the characters while unpleasant at times
were so real and relatable that you were able, as Zach was, to forgive them and move on.
Navin has taken a subject for her starting point that is shocking and very easy to sensationalise but has treated it with reverence, care and respect and the trigger of the story, while sensitively handled and gripping, is nothing when compared to Zach’s feeling paintings, his favourite series of books and the compassion of Mimi, Mary and other characters.
I was genuinely upset to find out this was her first book and I couldn’t instantly buy and download her others. I can NOT WAIT for her next book!!

I think that this is a book that everyone will be talking about this year. It’s simply stunning.

I read this with my heart in my mouth. The descriptions of the day that a gunman comes into Zach’s school are so realistic, narrated by Zach himself, that it feels as if we are there with him.

The aftermath, all seen through the eyes of a child, is heartbreaking and poignant. It really shows how children perceive the world so differently to adults.

It’s hard to believe that this is a debut novel. The author’s insight into her narrator’s mind, and the way she weaves the story, are those of a much more accomplished author. This is a serious talent, I’ll be waiting for her next book.

This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. It’s a must read.