Only Child: A novel

WOW!!!! How can I begin to describe the feelings this book evokes! It's truly an amazing tale of what happens in the minds of the survivors of a tragedy such as a school shooting. The story is narrated through the eyes of a 6-year old boy whose brother has been killed but he survives. His parents are devastated and have self-imploded while this young boy manages to sort out his feelings, do his grieving and teach many lessons. It's a gripping novel that is sadly all too relevant in current society. I read this just days after the Florida shooting and I couldn't help but be totally engrossed in this novel. It's not a fun story. It's a hard, gut-wrenching story that will make you think deeply about what's really important in life. Also, it will compel you to want to make changes in background checks, in gun laws, etc. A must read - highly recommend!

Only Child by Rhiannon Navin is a contemporary fiction novel about Zach, a first grader whose fifth-grade brother was killed in a school shooting. Zach narrates the story of what happened and how his family sort of fell apart afterwards, his mixed feelings and how he spent time in his secret hideout in his brother’s closet. Zach is a cute little kid I couldn’t help but feel sorry for throughout the book.

This is a touching novel that leads to healing for the family of a victim. This is an emotional read that kept my interest. I liked the ending and the child narration. Overall, it is a sad story but has some good advice for dealing with sadness.

Only Child, about the aftermath of a school shooting, is told through the viewpoint of a 6-year-old survivor whose brother is killed. This is not exactly lighthearted material, but the narrative is tender in its portrayal of Zach and the adults around him, all of whom struggle in their own ways to come to terms with what happened. This is a quick read that stays with you long after the final pages. A powerful debut -- I look forward to reading more by Rhiannon Navin.

I tore through this book.
I think everyone should read this debut novel by Rhiannon Navin. Unfortunately our world has become numb to tragedy and this novel has the ability to make a person feel.
Narrated by Zach, a 6 year old little boy who becomes an only child because of a horrific tragedy. You can’t help but fall in love with this little boy, want to hug him tight and never let go.
At the same time, becoming so frustrated with his mother the anger starts to blind you.
Through tragedy, Zach learns to deal with his feelings by separating them and dealing with them individually, such a great lesson to be taught.
I loved this book and am a huge fan of Rhiannon already!

Only Child Rhiannon Navin a four-star read that will change your thinking. In recent weeks school shootings have been all over the news and a friend was closely affected as she lives in the community of the latest school, so I kept putting this book off reading as I just wasn’t ready to read it. I’m glad I did as reading it sooner may have changed my views. What a well written and though provoking debut novel. Told from a child’s perspective this story will shock you to the core, it’s not politicly motivated, it’s just a story waiting to be told.

WOW. What a brilliant story. Seen through the eyes of a 6 year old. Zach survives a shooting at his school and his brother Andy doesn't. From that day on Zach's happy life with his mum and dad disappears. To him it's like he becomes invisible. His parents grieve for Andy and fail to see that Zach is alive. I loved this story and would definitely recommend it.

I started reading this book the day after the Parkland massacre and didn't put it down until I finished. The way the author crawled into a coat closet with the main character of this book was astonishing. May I tell you the number of tears I cried for both the people killed at Parkland and in this book? It's a story of how a little boy endures a shooting, is ignored as his parents work through the he death of his older brother, then demands, in his own way, that they pay attention to his needs, too. I hope to read many, many more books by this author. Her ability to insert readers emotionally into a story is astonishing. Congratulations for a wonderful first novel.

I started this book out of curiosity and was immediately pulled into the story. The book is a story of a horrendous tragedy straight out of the headlines. The thing that makes it so compelling is it is written in the point of view of a child. The child's pain and the whole families turmoil brings the situation to the readers heart and makes you weep for all the survivors of this type of tragedy.

What an amazing story. And what a gifted writer. I couldn’t put this book down. After hearing what it was about, I almost said no. But then I heard it was from a child’s viewpoint. That sealed the deal for me. Such a unique way to go. And no gory or graphic details. This little boy is incredibly smart, sympathetic, empathetic, and brings his family back together. Don’t let anything stop you from reading this. I can’t wait to read everything else Ms. Navin writes.

Heartbreaking take on a school shooting from the point of view of a 6 year old survivor whose brother wasn't so lucky. A riveting read as he grapples with guilt, sadness and feelings of loneliness as his parents battle to cope with what has happened to them. It was a beautiful, albeit sad book and I'd definitely recommend it.

This book is about is about a school shooting, narrated by a 6 year old boy. This touched my heart in many ways as both of the boys in this story are the same age as my kids. Very emotional, many tears shed while reading.

This story helped me see just how much young kids hear, see, know and how smart they really are.

This is quite possibly, the best book I have ever read, and I have read tens of thousands of books. Most certainly the best debut novel ever. I wouldn’t compare this book to Room. I thought that was depressing. This book is uplifting and will warm your heart. I can’t wait for her next novel. Bravo for Only Child!

What a heartbreaking and amazing read. I was admittedly scared to read this book, but I am so glad I did. This book was a mover and I read it in two days as I could not put it down. Rhiannon treats the subject matter with heart and soul. Her characters are flawed and real. You will love them and hate them at the same time. Thank you for such an honest and gut wrenching portrayal. Thank you for the space to explore our own pain and fear, the mandate not to get numb, and the hope to keep on believing in a better world to come.

Written from the perspective of six year old Zach, Only Child is a moving story about life after loss. Zach, although only a first grader is emotionally intelligent and eloquent. Moving, poignant and redeeming. HIGHLY recommend.

An amazing story that captivates you from page 1 and never lets you go. The hero and storyteller is a young boy struggling to deal with an extraordinary dramatic event and how his family copes with it at a tender age when nothing seems to really make sense.

Definitely one of my favorite books. The story and characters will stay with you. Read today!

This novel explores the dynamics of a family who has lost their oldest son in a school shooting. It is told from the perspective of the youngest son who is only six years old. It is a story of a family’s road to forgiveness after a horrific tragedy!

I read this book today, two days after the latest school shooting in Florida were 17 people were murdered by a teenage gunman. I must admit that I had a hard time in the first number of chapters, listening to Zack’s voice talk about mundane childish things. But I’m so glad I kept going because the book was very well written and very emotional and important, especially as there have now been 19 school shootings in a month and a half in 2018. I felt that the severe problems that came up with the parents was very realistic, but also did agree with another reviewer that the extra marital issue was just tossed in and didn’t need to be. But I was left with the feeling of “and a child shall lead them. “

Writing from a child's perspective is really difficult. Most adult books that do so fall into either the trap of the child seeming unrealistically observant and mature or the perspective being so gratingly childish that I don't enjoy reading it. However, the author did a brilliant job. The child is definitely of above average intelligence, but with an older brother that read Harry Potter in first grade, it's obvious intelligence runs in the family. As someone who was an above average intelligence child, I found the perspective very believable.

I also found the characterization and emotions to be believable too. I found myself not much caring for one of the parents who was borderline abusive at one point, but not all parents are good ones, especially under pressure.

There was a bit more language than I'd like, mainly when adults under stress slipped in front of the child. It wasn't particularly necessary and could have been avoided, but most people won't have a problem with it.

A very impressive first novel, and I'd be interested in checking out whatever she tries next.

What an incredible story to deal with a tragedy of our todays and through the eyes and mind of a child who gives us observation, hope and healing. Beautifully written in capturing the voice of a child through an unimaginable tragedy. Could not put it down from start to finish.

Very well written and believable that you are hearing from a 7 yr old. I cried through moments of the first 3 chapters.
A very sad book to be sure, but one that we must imagine our own children going through so that these shootings of mass murder do not happen again, we must do more than march or boycott...we must end gun violence.

The author's debut novel captured a different view of school shootings by giving us the story through the eyes of a 6 year old first grader. Presenting the story from the viewpoint of a 6 year old made this an even more horrific story as we witness his feelings as well as his loss of innocence.

As the book begins, the 'stranger danger' drill in Zach's classroom becomes the real thing as the teacher pushes all of the students into a closet and holds the door shut. The kids don't really know what's going on so Zach talks about how hot it is and about his teacher's bracelet while there are popping sounds in the background that are actually gunshots. When the police come and move the children to the church, they are still unaware of what really happened and Zach never thinks about his older brother Andy who turns out to be one of the 17 students and staff killed that day. Zach's family totally melts down and Zach has nightmares and starts to wet the bed again. I wanted to shake the adults around Zach because it seemed like no one really had time for him and his issues from the shooting because everyone was still dealing with it on their own personal level.

This is a wonderfully written well told story that could happen -- and has -- everywhere in the world. I get upset to see this compared to Room and The Girls. This novel can stand on its own and doesn't need comparisons to books that are nothing like it. I can't wait to see what books this author will write in the future.

This is such a heartbreaking yet beautiful book. I have read some comments about how it's a bit too close to latest school shooting in America and I have to say that I completely disagree. It's the perfect time for a book like this.
The way it is written from the view of a 6 year old who is experiencing some of the worst moments of his life is fascinating and you can't help but fall in love with Zach and his family. It's a real insight into the mind of a child and how we as parents can have such an effect on their well-being. I cried quite a lot reading this book. It's one of the best books I've read this year and will stay with me for some time. I am glad that someone has had the strength and courage to write a book like this, given that there were 18 school shootings in the last year in the USA (from what I've seen on the news). I think this book is a great way for people who aren't in America or who haven't a clue what it's like in the US to really understand how these events affect families and communities. I hope that the events recently don't in anyway over-shadow what is an incredibly well written book with a fantastic story and great characters.

Firstly, I cannot believe this is the first book by this author.
It starts with a shooting in a Primary school. As the Mother of an 11 year old boy I found the scenes around the shooting and the aftermath both chilling and heart wrenching. The fear of the children, the anguish of the parents and the devastation or euphoria upon learning of their children’s fate.
The book is written from the perspective of Zach , just 6 , who feels isolated, lonely and confused and sees his world and family falling apart around him .
The shooting, the aftermath, the loneliness of Zach, the falling apart of the family and the reaction both of and to the perpetrator’s family. There’s so many emotional moments in this book and the author captured them all perfectly. Every time I read a chapter I had to close my Kindle , take a breath and collect my thoughts together. This is one of those books that leaves the reader with a serious book hangover

I found this book interesting and it allowed me to imagine the situation of a school shooting. It started out really well, with the shooting itself, and the experience of Zack Taylor, a six year old, hiding in a closet in his classroom, only to find out later that his older brother has been killed in the shooting.
The book then goes on to describe the aftermath for Zack and his family over the next few months.
There were some disparities for me reading this book, however. I think the narrator, Zack, sounds quite a bit older than six, for several reasons. His reading, spelling, and understanding of the situation is that of an older child, not a six year old.
The other thing I found difficult to grasp is that Zach was kept home, because he didn't want to attend school for several months - a place where he was mostly alone, and where no counselling was offered to him at all. I found it very sad.
I also was not thrilled with the ending, it seemed quite contrived.
All in all, this book provides a lot to think about, but some of the book doesn't ring true for me.

For first-grader Zach Taylor, life changes abruptly on a rainy day at school. We find him crammed in a closet together with his teacher and classmates, while gunshots resound down the hallways—someone has entered the building and is opening fire on students. Andy, Zach's ten-year-old brother who attends the same school, dies in the massacre.

After the shooting, Zach sees his family collapse under the burden of his brother's death. His parents can't stop fighting, and even the memories of Andy don't bring him any comfort: can you miss a brother who was so full of anger to constantly upset the whole household? Alone with his thoughts and a bunch of books, Zach will undertake a journey to find the true meaning of forgiveness and love.

ONLY CHILD hooks the reader from the very beginning of the narration. I loved the precision with which Navin describes Zach's sensations when he's stuck inside the closet: the echo of the gunshots, the smell of coffee in his teacher's breath, the sense of claustrophobia and safety at the same time. I think the choice of narrating such a difficult story from a child's standpoint is what makes this novel so compelling and so unique. Being a kid, Zach feels the need to analyze the events and make them understandable for a person of his age: things need to be straightforward. Reading the story as adults, we are all forced to question our usual prejudices and defenses, since we experience reality through the eyes of a child.

Navin writes about a topic—school shootings—that is of primary importance nowadays, and her book digs into the consequences of these tragedies. Not only it unveils the suffering of a family that is torn apart by the loss of a son, but, more interestingly, the book raises a complex question: who is to blame? In this sense, the most fascinating character is Zach's mother, Melissa. When it turns out that the shooter—a young man with mental disorders—was the son of Charlie, the school security guard, Melissa holds Charlie and her wife responsible for Andy's death. Navin excels in depicting Melissa's transformation into a totally different person, mainly through the woman's dialogues with her son and her husband.

What really struck me about ONLY CHILD is the grace of Navin's writing style, the tenderness and humanity of a story that deals with our darkest emotions. Whether it comes to the choice between vengeance and forgiveness, the struggle of being brothers, or the bitterness of a failing marriage, ONLY CHILD shows the things for what they are, but its voice never surrenders to rage and discouragement.

???? 4/5 Stars
Highly recommend by Girl Who Smells Books

This book is told through the eyes of a child. Six year old Zach was hiding in a closet the day a maniac attacked his elementary school. Many innocent lives were lost, 19 to be exact. While his parents handle the "adult" situations, they unintentionally push Zach away. Zach, being the resilient child he is, creates his own self-coping methods to get through this tragedy. Not only is he able to self heal, he's able to help those hurting around him. Children see things much differently than adults, and often that's a good thing. The families and the community are torn apart in a time when sticking together, not division, is truly the most important thing.

Full Disclosure: I cried 4 times

I really really enjoyed this telling of this story and this family's way of dealing with grief. I have no idea on how I personally could have dealt with this tragedy. Telling it through the eyes of the child was amazing and really thought provoking. I cried many times as he taught his parents how to grief in the simplest form. While I had a pit in my stomach for almost the entire read, I couldn't put it down. Thank you!