Only Child
Only Child by Rhiannon Navin, published by Alfred A. Knopf in 2018, is a poignant exploration of childhood resilience in the face of tragedy. This edition spans 287 pages and is presented in English. The narrative follows six-year-old Zach Taylor, who, after experiencing a devastating school shooting, navigates the complexities of grief and healing while his mother seeks justice. Through Zach’s eyes, readers witness a child’s profound understanding of love and compassion amidst chaos.
In this tender debut, Zach retreats into a world of books and art, using his imagination to cope with the aftermath of the tragedy that has altered his community. As he embarks on a journey toward healing and forgiveness, he aims to guide the adults around him back to hope and connection. The themes of family life and coming of age are intricately woven into the story, highlighting how even the smallest voices can resonate with the deepest truths. This narrative invites readers to reflect on the power of optimism and the importance of compassion in difficult times.
Official synopsis Publisher
“Only Child triumphs. Zach, at only 6 years old, understands more about the human heart than the broken adults around him. His hope and optimism as he sets out to execute his plan will have every reader cheering him on, and believing in happy endings even in the face of such tragedy. . . . Navin manages to make Zach’s voice heartbreakingly believable.”–Ann Hood, The Washington Post
“Perfect for fans of Room… a heartbreaking but important novel.” —Real Simple
Readers of Jodi Picoult and Liane Moriarty will also like this tenderhearted debut about healing and family, narrated by an unforgettable six-year-old boy who reminds us that sometimes the littlest bodies hold the biggest hearts and the quietest voices speak the loudest.
Squeezed into a coat closet with his classmates and teacher, first grader Zach Taylor can hear gunshots ringing through the halls of his school. A gunman has entered the building, taking nineteen lives and irrevocably changing the very fabric of this close-knit community. While Zach’s mother pursues a quest for justice against the shooter’s parents, holding them responsible for their son’s actions, Zach retreats into his super-secret hideout and loses himself in a world of books and art. Armed with his newfound understanding, and with the optimism and stubbornness only a child could have, Zach sets out on a captivating journey towards healing and forgiveness, determined to help the adults in his life rediscover the universal truths of love and compassion needed to pull them through their darkest hours.
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