A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny

by Amy Julia Becker

Sometimes Joy Shows Up When You Least Expect It

Things don't always go as planned--especially when it comes to our children. When her first baby, Penny, is given a frightening diagnosis, Amy Julia's world comes crashing down. Could she continue to trust God's goodness through what felt like personal tragedy? But challenging surprises often lead to unforeseen joy, and disappointments can turn into blessings. This wise and beautiful book is more than a courageous story of raising a child against the odds--it is a journey through the unexpected ups and downs of life and the discoveries that come along the way.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Christian, Biography, Parenting, Disability, Faith

231 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Amy Julia Becker is the author of To Be Made Well: An Invitation to Wholeness, Healing, and Hope, which releases in March 2022. She is also the author of White Picket Fences: Turning toward Love in a World Divided by Privilege (2018), Small Talk: Learning From My Children About What Matters Most (2014), and A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations and a Little Girl Named Penny (2011). A graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary, her essays about personal, social, and spiritual healing have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Christianity Today, and more. She is a big fan of frozen yogurt, her Ember mug, and hiking in the nearby woods with her family. Amy Julia lives with her husband and three children in western Connecticut.

Reviews

[Starry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book in which a well-educated woman with a "perfect" life must relearn the definition of "perfect" as she comes to terms with her firstborn's diagnosis of Down syndrome. Becker gives an honest and in-depth account of how her expectations, ideals, and faith were stretched and reshaped during her daughter's first years of life. The reflections of the author are especially relevant in the driven, Ivy-league-enamored region where I am raising my children -- a reminder that individuals should not be assigned value based on achievement or what society deems "perfect".
Becker is an eloquent spokeswoman for two under-represented groups: those with disabilities and the Christian intelligentsia.
I am honored to know this lovely family.
FYI, Penny is charming.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every thought, fear and question I have ever had about down syndrome and Tommy are in this book. It was like I was reading my own journal. Author and mother, Amy Julia Becker, so beautifully and honestly writes about her experience with her newborn daughter Penny, who was diognosed with Down Syndrome at birth. I especislly love how she talks about her faith, the questions she has about whether DS is from God and how God has a specific purpose for every person. Such a wonderful story about a mother who learns that down Syndrome isn't as scary or as awful as it first seems and how our babies really are "good and perfect gifts"!

[Melissa Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing

As a mom to a precious son with Down syndrome, I found this to be disappointing. It is wonderful that Penny is thriving and learning in leaps and bounds. This is Amy Beckers personal story, almost like a diary or journal of thoughts. If you are a parent of a child with Down syndrome, please consider that all children learn and grow at their own speed. Though unintentional, this book somehow suggests that the value of a child is not based on learning ability, level of function, or physical ability but then the author goes on to brag about the successes of her own child.

[Amy Cuneo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a difficult read. The first half seemed to be about coming to terms with having an imperfect daughter/life with some of the limitations that come from having a diagnosis like Down Syndrome.

Then the second half seemed to go on to contradict the first with their daughter Penny learning things quite early and outshining her diagnosis. For those of us parenting a child with the same diagnosis but without some of the fast-tracked learning and development this book stings a little.

Perhaps a good book to introduce people to what a child with DS is capable of rather than an encouragement to anyone in the thick of it.

[Jess Etheridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This now sits at the top of my list for “most helpful books on disability”. Amy Julia has a seminary degree and lives and works at an Ivy League/prep boarding school when they had their daughter with down syndrome. I felt like she was writing words straight from my own head these last two years as I have wrestled with Avonlea’s cognitive impairment and what that means for her, for her value to society, and what it says about my unspoken hierarchy of human gifts. This memoir would be helpful and eye opening for everyone!

[Ella McMullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Can I live a full life without learning to cherish and welcome those in this world who are different from me? I'm pretty sure I I can't."
Love love loved this book. I opened it up expecting it to be a hard read, and preparing to be hit with a barrage of flashbacks from when J was born. I escaped that, though, and instead found peace and beauty in every chapter. It made me pause and think about what I truly value most in life.
Also, the book itself while tackling difficult subjects, had easy, conversational style writing, and short chapters, which made it easier to process.
Kudos to Kimia for recommending this to me. you're the best. 🫶

[Ksorb · Rating 5 out of 5]

In A Good and Perfect Gift, the author - working from her journals - chronicles her first two years of parenting her first-born child: a little girl who has Down syndrome. Since I am the mother of a 37-year-old first-born daughter who also has Downs, I cried a lot reading this, remembering the joys and fears of those first two years, the victories and normalcies, the rude but well-meaning remarks, the kindnesses of friends and strangers, the unbridled acceptance and delight of others as well as the prejudices; the overwhelming, fierce, and protective love.

Unfortunately, I was on an airplane during much of my reading and the poor passenger next to me must have thought I had a bad cold from the results of my silent weeping. Finally I had to put the book away and explain to him. We both laughed.

I strongly recommend this book to any new parents, parents who are possibly expecting a baby with Downs, and their friends and family members. It's pretty true to my own experiences albeit 35 years apart. Kids with Down syndrome's lives are terminated at a rate of over 90% today, and it's largely due to ignorance; it's such a tragedy because these babies are much more LIKE other babies than they are different, and they often grow to exhibit giftedness in areas that "typical" kids don't. They - like all people - are gifts to the world, to us, and we are richer for having them in our lives, our schools, our communities.

p.s. My own daughter works four part-time jobs in libraries and child care, takes the bus across town to one of them, walks 1/2 mile to another, has a best friend she's had since high school, knows more than I'll ever know about so many things, retaining so much of what she reads. She loves books (especially mysteries and biographies), Elvis, cheeseburgers, pickles, Amy Grant, chocolate, movies, and classic comedies. She's read Louisa Mae Alcott and John Grishom, and uses a calculator for any math she doesn't know by heart. She knows her Bible better than most adults in our church and children get goofy-eyed with love when they run into "Teacher Sarah" around town. She is especially gifted with the naughty children and can tame the wildest of them with quiet, gentle, affection, a welcoming lap, eyebrow tricks and a tickle when they're at their naughtiest. I rely on her now that I'm a widow. I recently thanked her for finding something I'd lost and said, "Oh Sarah, what would I do without you???" Her immediate reply? "That's what I'D like to know!" :)

[Kevin Sorensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

90% of mothers who find out they are carrying a Down Syndrome baby abort. 90%! May God have mercy upon their souls. May God have mercy upon us as a society for devaluing life so much, for being so amazingly selfish, to think a child with Down syndrome wouldn't be "normal" or bring joy into your life.

Amy Julia Becker relates her travels down this pathway. One of the stunning facets of this story is they didn't know their baby was a Down baby until after little Penny was born. The news comes as quite a shock and this book is about all the adjustments––mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually this mother had to go through to receive this good and perfect gift.

This is not a "perfect" book about a "perfect" family with "perfect" children. The author is very open and quite honest about her struggles with her faith in God. Yet I found this is what makes this a real story. She has doubts. She has questions and she asks them of the Lord. And then she waits. Her husband, Peter, has his own struggles, but they seem short-lived and then he proves an anchor for her.

I found this a very heart-warming book, full of fears and joys; in other words, full of real life and faith. I highly commend this book to you.

Postscript––I read a couple of reviews of this book that were fairly critical of the author and her depiction of life with a Down syndrome child. I couldn't help but wonder if they were envious of Amy for her faith or her sense of blessing, or even the specific nature of Penny's level of disability. I got the clear impression that if they could, they would have stripped all that away from her and given her a much more difficult situation (as if it weren't challenge enough, especially when you have no "forewarning"). I pity small-minded, small-faithed individuals like this. I've not met every couple with a child like Penny, but the ones I have met, have all been in the Becker's situation––filled with life and joy and happiness, along with all the challenges.

[Kelly Hager · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy Julia and her husband, Peter, have the perfect life and the perfect marriage. (They may not say so, but looking from the outside, it's pretty awesome.) When their first child is born, they name her Penelope (and call her Penny) after his mom. Except they learn very quickly that Penny has Down Syndrome.

I enjoyed this book and really admire how candid Amy Julia was with her feelings. It's obvious that she loves her daughter right away, but she also has a lot of fears. Some of them are about her daughter (what will her life be like? will it be shorter or much harder than other kids'?) and some of them are about her ability to parent Penny (how will we relate to each other?). I feel like in our society, mothers aren't really allowed to express doubts like these, and that's especially true when you have a child with special needs. It was incredibly refreshing to read Amy Julia worrying about how, since she really values intellect, how will she be able to find ways to connect with her daughter?

I don't have kids, but when I was considering what children of mine would be like, I always thought, "What if I had a daughter who's a total girly-girl? Or into sports? Or a Republican?" (These are not inherently bad things; just sort of the polar opposite of me. And how do you relate to someone who's the polar opposite of you?) But I never thought about possibly having a child with special needs. I don't think anyone does, until it happens.

And honestly, Penny sounds like a complete delight. On Amy Julia's blog, there are pictures of her family (she and her husband have since had two other kids), and Penny is adorable. (All three are cute, yes, but Penny has the best smile.)

This is a sweet and honest story. Recommended (whether or not you have kids).

[Victor Muthoka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walking In The Path of Suffering

I was sad when this book ended.

Amy Julia & her husband Peter rush into the hospital for the birth of their first child, Penelope Truesdale, or Penny as everyone calls her. When they hold their daughter for the first time, they didn't know how deeply their world was about to change. Penny is born with Down's Syndrome & as the first child born to a newly married couple, this is as hard as it gets.

The book is an exploration of the emotional, mental, societal and especially spiritual struggle that Peter & Amy Julia wrestle with when their child is born. Written mostly from Amy Julia's perspective, we see how she struggles in initially accepting her daughter, seeing her and her and not just as "my Down's baby". She wrestles with questions of God's will & suffering. We see her wrestle with society as people, well meaning or not, treat Penny differently.

This is a real look at how life can change unexpectedly and also a real look at what it means to be a parent to a mentally disabled child. Amy Julia takes us through her struggle before eventually being free and accepting of her daughter's condition. This is in many ways a book about us & all the tough, unexpected things in life we go through. Excellent memoir that I will return to again.

[Jessie Clemence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only rate and review books here on Goodreads if I love them because "if you don't have something good to say…" is a pretty good piece of advice.

But every once in a while I find a book that needs an extra-high rating because it's so well written. A Good and Perfect Gift needs at least six stars. I picked it up because I need to do research on how Down Syndrome affects families. I was prepared for a story and some information.

I was not prepared for Becker's beautiful writing. I was not prepared for her honesty, her questions, or her journey of faith. As I read I became more convinced that God redeems our situations for his glory if we're willing to wait and search for his abundance.

This quote from page 153 speaks volumes:
"I believe in a God who doesn't always make sense. I believe in a God who overturns expectations and cannot be controlled by me. I believe in a God who loves so deeply as to be willing to allow us to suffer, that we might know fullness of life."

Amen.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy gives an honest journey through the first few years of life with their daughter Penny who has down syndrome. Unaware prior to Penny's birth that she would have down syndrome, Amy and her husband Peter were deeply shaken by Penny's disability. What they found though was the many abilities and blessings that Penny brought to their life. Having always valued intelligence and education, it was difficult for Amy to accept Penny's limitations. Amy is frank about her fear of what the future holds for Penny and her anger at God. Amy had to take a hard look at herself and had to work through some thoughts and feelings within herself she didn't always like. As any mother Amy also wanted to protect Penny from the prejudice and judgments of others. With a stong family to support her and Peter, Penny flourishes and in so many ways blesses all with love.

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Best I've read so far in 2014. It made me cry a lot, not because it's sad but because it's beautiful.

Becker is so honest and articulate, not holding back with her truthful emotions, doubts, and questions -- regarding life as a human in general, life as a parent, and life as a Christian.

Loved it. Read it!

[Edie Kennard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amy Julia Becker’s memoir, A Good and Perfect Gift, is an intimate exploration of faith, intellectual pride, and the unexpected journey of raising a child with Down syndrome. While the book is deeply sincere and offers a unique perspective on disability through a theological lens, it may feel a bit narrow for some readers.

The Heart of the Story
The narrative begins with the birth of Becker’s daughter, Penny. What was supposed to be a "perfect" entry into motherhood quickly becomes a crisis of identity for Becker, a high-achieving Princeton Seminary graduate. The book tracks her first few years with Penny as she deconstructs her definitions of worth, beauty, and "perfection."

What Works Well
Intellectual Honesty: Becker is remarkably brave in admitting her initial grief and even her "intellectual snobbery." She doesn’t shy away from the darker thoughts she had after the diagnosis, which makes her eventual shift toward acceptance feel earned.

Theological Reflection: For readers interested in how disability intersects with Christian faith, Becker provides thoughtful commentary. She moves away from seeing Penny as a "tragedy" and instead views her as a gift that exposes the flaws in a merit-based world.

Polished Prose: The writing is clear, academic yet accessible, and paced like a gentle conversation.

Where It Falls Short
Niche Perspective: The book is very much rooted in a specific demographic—white, upper-middle-class, Ivy League-educated, and evangelical. While her journey is valid, the "struggle" can at times feel insulated from the systemic or financial hardships many families face when navigating a new diagnosis.

Repetitive Themes: The middle section of the book leans heavily into the same internal theological loop. Readers looking for more "day-to-day" insights into parenting or a broader look at the Down syndrome community might find the heavy focus on Becker's internal spiritual psyche a bit repetitive.

Slow Pacing: Because the book focuses so much on the expectation vs. reality of faith, the narrative momentum occasionally stalls in favor of long-form reflection.

Final Verdict
A Good and Perfect Gift is a solid, thoughtful memoir for those specifically looking for a faith-based perspective on disability. It is a story of a mother unlearning her own prejudices to see her daughter clearly. However, if you are looking for a more secular or diverse exploration of Down syndrome, this might feel a bit too focused on one woman’s specific spiritual crisis.

[Deborah-Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy Julia and Peter are a young couple with a seemingly big life change when their daughter, Penny, is unexpectedly born with Down Syndrome (a challenging enough diagnosis, but with the additional consideration that none of this showed up on any of the prenatal screening). Throughout her first year, the Becker family faces many ups and downs as they learn to adjust to this new life, but most importantly, they discover how having a child with special needs can truly be a blessing rather than a burden. I appreciated the overall personal "feel" of this book. It is raw, honest, emotional, and vulnerable as it recounts both the high and low points of raising a child with a disability. It talks about medical frustrations and learning to navigate the "system" but also of those profound "a-ha" moments. An interesting read for anyone who wants to learn more about disabilities.

[Geeske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book was excellent. I highly recommend it. I loved the insights it gives about having a child with Down Syndrome. In our society we often feel people have a valuable life in accordance with their ability. But every live is precious and priceless, and every person has unique beauty to give us - if only we receive them with open arms. Amy Julia writes a beautiful, honest and open exploration of having a beautiful girl, Penny, and navigating the fact that she has Down Syndrome. It is wonderful to read. I was actually a little disappointed that the book was over when I reached the end.

[Emily Briano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the books I've read about having a baby with Down syndrome, this one has felt the closest to my own experience and my own spiritual and emotional journey. Amy Julia Becker had a birth diagnosis, and I had a prenatal diagnosis so while our paths are different they have many of the same waypoints. I also walked a very similar path to her as we would both describe ourselves as perfectionists who place a high value on success and intelligence as sources of our own worth. All this is directly challenged and thankfully revealed as untrue as we get to know our babies, our greatest teachers.

[Anne Walters custer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Julia Becker shares her journey with honesty and vulnerability after her first child is born with Down syndrome. Although my own reactions to my daughter's diagnosis were often quite different from Becker's, I really appreciated the window into her struggles and her eventual joy. Her spiritual insights were quite beautiful and very insightful about the gulf between what God values and what our modern society values.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memorable messages:

Follow Jesus down the road rather than trying to navigate it on your own. Trust that the rocky parts will be smoother with Him as a guide, and the scenery will even be beautiful much of the time.

The highs will be higher and the lows will be lower.

You’ve shown me a whole new world, my love.

I don’t want to hope, sometimes, because I don’t want the fear that accompanies the hope.

The nature of love is to expand.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This memoir bears witness to a first-time mom grappling with her daughter’s diagnosis of Down’s Syndrome. It gave me a window into the world of special needs parenting and advocacy, which I appreciate. (It’s an interesting contrast to Martha Beck’s famous memoir, if you’re familiar with that.)

Her daughter is now a young adult, so Becker’s perspective has shifted significantly since she wrote this. I read and listen to the author’s work today, and it resonates with me more than her memoir did.

[B♡♡K W♡RM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story

Grateful for the author to share a piece of her life with us. It wasn't just about a child with downs syndrome, there was much to learned. Thank you Amy. You book was a gift to remind us of just how life is and to enjoy every bit of it with faith and hope. God bless you and your family.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible, reflective account of a mother's journey to falling in love with a child some may call disabled. It was so beautifully written and spiritually challenging. I found this immensely encouraging as I wrestle through motherhood and all of the accompany doubts and triumphs.

[Jenn LeBow · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world that all too often tells us that selfishness is the only way to get ahead, stories of great love stand out. Today I'll be telling you about three of my recent favorite love stories: Then They Came For Me, by Maziar Bahari; A Good and Perfect Gift, by Amy Julia Becker; and Global Girlfriends: How One Mom Made it Her Business to Help Women in Poverty Worldwide, by Stacey Edgar.

None of these books is a romance novel; in fact, one is a memoir with insight into international politics, another is a spiritual memoir focusing on parenting and a child with Down Syndrome, and the last is the story of a small business' inception and growth.

So why are they some of my favorite love stories?

Maziar Bahari, an Iranian Canadian, worked for Newsweek as the magazine's correspondent for Iran in 2009. He traveled to his country of origin in July to cover the presidential election between Ahmadinejad and Mousavi. Bahari describes the mood in Iran as hopeful, electric. Despite his own family's turbulent history in Iranian political matters - Bahari's father and sister had been imprisoned by the shah in the '50's and Ayatollah Khomeini in the '80's, respectively - Bahari anticipated an unhindered professional visit for himself, and an unprecedented victory for the moderate Iranians as he watched crowds swell in support of Mousavi.

Instead, as Iranians watched in disbelief, Ahmadinejad was declared the winner. Within days, Bahari was arrested at his mother's home and taken to Evin Prison, notorious in Iran. For 118 days, officials imprisoned Bahari, interrogating him, beating him, accusing him of espionage and worse. Throughout his ordeal, he knew nothing of the massive campaign to win his release, spearheaded by his fiancée and Newsweek, until a guard called him "Mr. Hillary Clinton."

Woven into the narrative about his familial history, his professional life, and his imprisonment, an ever-present love ties Maziar Bahari's story together. It is love of country. Patriotic love is not exclusive to the United States, and reading Then They Came For Me showed me much of value in the history and people of Iran. In these days of heightened tension between our countries, reading Bahari's book reminded me of a deeper story behind the headlines.

When we look deeper, even events that seem devastating at first can bring us exactly what we need, according to Amy Julia Becker. Ensconced in a happy marriage, fulfilling career, and cozy apartment as house parents at a private boarding school, Amy Julia Becker and her husband, Peter, await the arrival of their baby girl eagerly. When she arrives, Penny is diagnosed with Down Syndrome. The diagnosis leads to previously unimaginable post-partum feelings; instead of pure joy, Becker describes a mixture of grief and love.

As Becker presents vignettes from her family's life with Penny, her own view of her daughter veers from grief to acceptance to awe and joy. Throughout, her strong faith and her supportive husband anchor her as she learns to be a parent, not an easy task even in what most of us would think of as "ideal" circumstances. In Becker's unwavering maternal love, to her own surprise, she finds that Penny is ideal. As I read along, my emotions began to mirror Becker's. Her pride in her daughter's abilities, her loyalty to her and protection of her, and her ability to see Penny herself, not just a child with a syndrome, made Becker relatable, challenging, and inspiring.

After love of country and love of a child, love of a business hardly seems as inspiring. Stacey Edgar, however, started Global Girlfriends not out of a love of commerce, but a desire to help impoverished women. Global Girlfriends, started in her home with seed money from an income tax refund, grew out of Edgar's belief that a successful business model would include partnering with small craft groups worldwide to develop beautiful, on-trend products that would find a wider niche in the first-world market. She wasn't just a conduit to bring crafts to a new outlet, she felt. Global Girlfriends needed to be just that: a collection of girlfriends, each bringing her gifts to the table to share.

For Edgar, the personal connection to the artisans is essential; she recognizes the change wrought in our spending habits when women know the story of the women crafters. When she travels to Nepal and feels as if she's been brought into the artisans' family, she internalizes the "namaste" greeting, which conveys the idea that the light of God inside me acknowledges and accepts the light of God inside you. Global Girlfriends is a love story about the power of friendship and compassion to give all of us an opportunity to be made more healthy and whole.

My world can get surprisingly small sometimes. Though we travel often with Honey's work, I can shrink it down like a turtle until my world is contained in my house. Maziar Bahari, Amy Julia Becker, and Stacey Edgar helped open me back up to love and hope this month. I hope you'll enjoy at least one of their stories for yourself.

[Maria Hrickova · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.6

[Janice Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting perspective for parents with Down Syndrome. Honest, open and significant.

[Mari Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned a lot about Down Syndrome and how to talk about it!

[Beth Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book. I am so thankful for the way It changed my perspective and hopefully increased my sensitivity.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book about a little girl with Down Syndrome, from the perspective of her mom.

[Bryon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy Julia Becker is one of Christian writing's best kept secrets. My friend told me I should read this book for encouragement about my own situation. I have a daughter with special needs. But this doesn't have to be the situation you're in to draw strength from Becker's story.

The author has a child with Down syndrome. She wanted to share real life as she walked through it. She wrote in a notebook and prayed through it. Her husband was amazing.

How do you walk alongside someone going through smeltering fires of testing? It's tough. It's best to let them do the talking. We should do the listening. Here's what Becker writes about her personal devotional life in the early days of becoming the mom of a Downs baby:

"I didn't open my Bible often in those days. I didn't pray much, either. I would have liked to ignore God altogether, but my whole adult life had been with Christianity."

This kind of honesty is refreshing. Becker is human. Her faith is real and living, is what you find, as you read on.

Chapter six worked me over the most. In this chapter, Becker begins to come out of the fog that hangs heavy when life changes drastically and begins to embrace life. "We shared scraps of ourselves, and the thoughts and the questions started to come out." Becker communicates vividly about her emotions without saying she was emotional. "I couldn't believe she would be slowed down, delayed. But that was our new reality, wasn't it?"

The book is organized into three main parts containing 21 chapters all together. She didn’t give the chapters titles. They begin with an entry from her journal. Here's how the entry that introduces chapter 16.

Penny has started clapping and waving. She raises her hands over her head when I say, "How big is Penny?" and she lets go of her spoon when I ask. I always say, "Good girl," and she claps for herself. She is beginning to pivot and scoot and slowly, cautiously, move around.

I still get overwhelmed by the breadth of the difficulties she could face with this extra chromosome. The little things--thin hair, creased palms, widely spaced toes... The physiology--soft spots, small ears and nose, misshapen teeth, hearing loss, poor eyesight, speech problems, large tongue, small mouth, low muscle tone, heart defects, lung vulnerabilities.

The deck is so stacked against her, and yet she is thriving.

What a gift.

Amy Julia Becker is an engaging and creative writer. I'm glad my friend recommended her book and now I'm recommending it to you.

http://mondokblog.blogspot.com/2012/0...

[Laverne Ombadykow · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Bethany House Publishers gave me the opportunity to review A Good and Perfect Gift by Amy Julia Becker I was pretty excited. I have read other books about children with Down Syndrome, the most recent being Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth and Everyday Magic (written by a Harvard graduate).

Anyway, my reason for wanting to read this book was because, although the author does not know me, I was a member of the church where she did her internship while at Princeton Theological Seminary and I was there that Christmas when she went to the platform and told a story. It was shortly after that night that she gave birth to Penny. I can picture the pastor crying on the phone when she gave him the news of this special birth, because I too, had shared painful life events with him and I know he cared for the people in his congregation. I can picture how he chose the exact right passage of scripture for Penny's dedication service because when I joined that church the scripture that he gave to me was perfect for me and is still in my wallet. I am familiar with the area where these events took place and I connected to this story immediately.

Throughout the reading (which I did in a short time, because I could not put this book down), I was impressed with how well written the book was. I was also impressed with how hard Amy Julia and Peter worked to help Penny be all that she could be. I was reminded of a prayer by Henri Nouwen that goes, "I pray that your life will be as wonderful as it was in the mind of God when He created you."

The Beckers feel that Penny is a gift to them, but I feel that they are a gift to Penny. Because of their research and tenacity Penny will accomplish so very much.

My final thought has to do with Penny's parents being so well educated. I compared this book to Expecting Adam because those parents were also highly educated. There is discipline and dedication required for obtaining Ivy League training and those attributes are very helpful when one must daily seek information, find facilities and interview personnel that will be the best at helping ones child.

This is the best book I have read in a long time.

I receiver this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.