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Silent Boy: He was a frightened boy who refused to speak - until a teacher's love broke through the silence
From the author of Sunday Times bestsellers One Child and Ghost Girl comes a heartbreaking story of a boy trapped in silence and the teacher who rescued him.
When special education teacher Torey Hayden first met fifteen-year-old Kevin, he was barricaded under a table. Desperately afraid of the world around him, he hadn’t spoken a word in eight years. He was considered hopeless, incurable.
But Hayden refused to believe it, though she realised it might well take a miracle to break through the walls he had built around himself. With unwavering devotion and gentle, patient love, she set out to free him – and slowly uncovered a shocking violent history and a terrible secret that an unfeeling bureaucracy had simply filed away and forgotten.
Torey refused to give up on this tragic “lost case.” For a trapped and frightened boy desperately needed her help – and she knew in her heart she could not rest easy until she had rescued him from the darkness.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1983
160 people are currently reading
3067 people want to read
About the author
Torey L. Hayden
51 books1,573 followersVictoria Lynn Hayden, known as Torey L. Hayden (born May 21, 1951 in Livingston, Montana) is a child psychologist, special education teacher, university lecturer and writer of non-fiction books based on her real-life experiences with teaching and counselling children with special needs.
Subjects covered in her books include autism, Tourette syndrome, sexual abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome, and elective mutism (now called selective mutism), her specialty.
Hayden attended high school in Billings, Montana and graduated in 1969. She then attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.
A little time after having written her most famous book One Child, Hayden moved to Wales in 1980 and got married to a Scot called Ken two years later. In 1985, she gave birth to her daughter Sheena. Hayden is now divorced.
She has also written three books of fiction in addition to her non-fiction books.
Subjects covered in her books include autism, Tourette syndrome, sexual abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome, and elective mutism (now called selective mutism), her specialty.
Hayden attended high school in Billings, Montana and graduated in 1969. She then attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.
A little time after having written her most famous book One Child, Hayden moved to Wales in 1980 and got married to a Scot called Ken two years later. In 1985, she gave birth to her daughter Sheena. Hayden is now divorced.
She has also written three books of fiction in addition to her non-fiction books.
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June 16, 2023
Neste livro, Torey conta-nos a história de Kevin. Um adolescente atormentado por fantasmas de um passado que ficou, durante muito tempo, desconhecido para Torey. Não é uma história bonita, nem fácil de ler e digerir, mas quantos Kevins não andaram espalhados por este mundo? Talvez haja mais Kevins do que Toreys de coração enorme capazes de abraçar os desafios que estas crianças oferecem a técnicos de saúde mental.
Mais uma vez assistimos a uma boa exploração dos acontecimentos. Senti, por vezes, que Torey poderia ter ido um pouco mais longe nas suas reflexões e hipóteses sobre o caso. Oferecendo ao leitor um maior acesso ao seu consciente e ao seu pensamento nas questões ligadas a Kevin, Jeff e Charity.
Foi um livro que mexeu com as minhas emoções e sentimentos. Mexeu de uma forma um pouco inesperada e revi-me em muitas das atitudes de Torey em relação às suas atitudes profissionais. Torey descreve-se como sendo um pouco séptica em relação aos aspectos teóricos que servem como pano de fundo ao trabalho dos psicólogos. Em certa medida concordei com ela. Não sou tão radical como ela, mas reconheço que temos de olhar para as pessoas e para os seus problemas de uma maneira muito mais abrangente do que aquela que as teorias nos oferecem. Do meu ponto de vista é importante ajustar as técnica e os conceitos teóricos às pessoas do que procurar encaixar as pessoas nas teorias e arranjando uma forma de classificar o seu problema. É claro que existem aspectos que há necessidade de serem classificados, como por exemplo as questões relacionais com as doenças mentais, mas a forma de trabalhar com as pessoas deverá ser única. Talvez esteja a ser confusa para as pessoas que estão a ler está opinião de uma área profissional que não se enquadra com estes aspectos, mas no fundo o que pretendo passar, e que é algo bem visível no trabalho de Torey é: as pessoas têm as suas idiossincrasias e merecem a nossa total atenção e dedicação e neste sentido devemos procurar ajustar os nossos conhecimentos àquilo que elas são e representam. Se para isso temos de transpor as barreiras teóricas que nos são dadas a conhecer, deixa de se tornar um facto relevante quando os resultados atingidos com as pessoas são positivos. Naquele momento, o mais importante é estar ali para aquela pessoa, para o seu problema, para aquela forma de ver o mundo. Todos estes aspectos são bem visíveis no trabalho que Torey e Jeff fazem com Kevin. Eles ultrapassam muitas das barreiras teóricas. Interessaram-se genuinamente com Kevin e os resultados, depois de muito esforço, são muito positivos.
A prisão do silêncio activou o meu lado saudosista, transportando-me para lugares do passado. Senti saudades do meu trabalho e daquilo que já fiz, senti saudades de uma relação profissional que se transformou num boa relação de amizade, tal como Torey construiu com Jeff, e que a distancia tem dificultado o contacto.
Não sei qual a relação que vocês têm com esta autora, mas aconselho àqueles que nunca se deixaram invadir pelas palavras desta senhora que colmatem esta falha e se entreguem aos livros dela. Do meu ponto de vista são particularmente úteis a quem tem uma actividade profissional ligada às crianças.
Boas leituras e deixem-se invadir pelas palavras. 🤍✨
Mais uma vez assistimos a uma boa exploração dos acontecimentos. Senti, por vezes, que Torey poderia ter ido um pouco mais longe nas suas reflexões e hipóteses sobre o caso. Oferecendo ao leitor um maior acesso ao seu consciente e ao seu pensamento nas questões ligadas a Kevin, Jeff e Charity.
Foi um livro que mexeu com as minhas emoções e sentimentos. Mexeu de uma forma um pouco inesperada e revi-me em muitas das atitudes de Torey em relação às suas atitudes profissionais. Torey descreve-se como sendo um pouco séptica em relação aos aspectos teóricos que servem como pano de fundo ao trabalho dos psicólogos. Em certa medida concordei com ela. Não sou tão radical como ela, mas reconheço que temos de olhar para as pessoas e para os seus problemas de uma maneira muito mais abrangente do que aquela que as teorias nos oferecem. Do meu ponto de vista é importante ajustar as técnica e os conceitos teóricos às pessoas do que procurar encaixar as pessoas nas teorias e arranjando uma forma de classificar o seu problema. É claro que existem aspectos que há necessidade de serem classificados, como por exemplo as questões relacionais com as doenças mentais, mas a forma de trabalhar com as pessoas deverá ser única. Talvez esteja a ser confusa para as pessoas que estão a ler está opinião de uma área profissional que não se enquadra com estes aspectos, mas no fundo o que pretendo passar, e que é algo bem visível no trabalho de Torey é: as pessoas têm as suas idiossincrasias e merecem a nossa total atenção e dedicação e neste sentido devemos procurar ajustar os nossos conhecimentos àquilo que elas são e representam. Se para isso temos de transpor as barreiras teóricas que nos são dadas a conhecer, deixa de se tornar um facto relevante quando os resultados atingidos com as pessoas são positivos. Naquele momento, o mais importante é estar ali para aquela pessoa, para o seu problema, para aquela forma de ver o mundo. Todos estes aspectos são bem visíveis no trabalho que Torey e Jeff fazem com Kevin. Eles ultrapassam muitas das barreiras teóricas. Interessaram-se genuinamente com Kevin e os resultados, depois de muito esforço, são muito positivos.
A prisão do silêncio activou o meu lado saudosista, transportando-me para lugares do passado. Senti saudades do meu trabalho e daquilo que já fiz, senti saudades de uma relação profissional que se transformou num boa relação de amizade, tal como Torey construiu com Jeff, e que a distancia tem dificultado o contacto.
Não sei qual a relação que vocês têm com esta autora, mas aconselho àqueles que nunca se deixaram invadir pelas palavras desta senhora que colmatem esta falha e se entreguem aos livros dela. Do meu ponto de vista são particularmente úteis a quem tem uma actividade profissional ligada às crianças.
Boas leituras e deixem-se invadir pelas palavras. 🤍✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2015
Say you were a mental health professional, well-respected, a leader in your field. Well-liked by your peers, your opinion is sought on their cases, and they often ask for your assistance with their trickier clients. Now, say your boss calls you into his office and tells you that you're fired. Not because you can't do your job, not because you're difficult to work with, but because it's 1980s Florida, and Dade County has just passed sweeping anti-gay legislation, and it's been discovered that you and your roommate, Hans, are more than just roommates, and the board of directors at your clinic has decided they don't want a homosexual working for them.
This scenario actually happened to the author's colleague. They were working together to help a teenage boy work through some of the horrible, awful things done to him by his own stepfather, with his own mother's consent, and they were making real progress. But suddenly, one of his two lifelines to normalcy is no longer around. He feels abandoned, feels like it's his fault because he's worthless, because who would want to have anything to do with a worthless boy like him? And six months of real progress is down the drain, to say nothing of all the psychiatrist's other patients, abandoned by the one person they can trust, all because some board of directors feels icky about someone's sexuality. Sometimes the world just makes me sick, you know?
Believe it or not, a lot of other stuff happens in this book, some of it good, a lot of it bad. Kevin, the "Murphy's Boy" of the title, makes headway and loses ground and gradually comes to terms with the terrible things done to him in his past. And by the end of the book, he's able to live in a group home, go to school, get a job, and have a normal life.
I really liked this book. I marked it as 5 stars, but I would probably rate it at 4.5 or 4.75, and only for one thing: for all that Hayden is a licensed psychologist, with years of experience working with children, she can seem a bit naive or oblivious when it comes to dealing with a teenaged boy. Also, Hayden takes pride in the fact that she doesn't subscribe to a specific school of psychological thought, but just kinda goes with the flow, trying things out until something works. The problem with this is that, as she herself says, sometimes progress is made and she doesn't know why. It's like if you were cooking with someone and you let them just throw whatever into the pot, and you don't know what the end result will be; if it turns out great, you have no idea how to duplicate the recipe for next time, and if it goes poorly, you just shrug your shoulders, throw it out and start all over. But these are children's minds and lives she's working with here; there's no room for screwing up, shrugging one's shoulders and starting over.
I have no doubt Karen would have loved this book; she would have balked at some of the scarier moments, like when Kevin is describing some of the abuse he and his siblings endured, but she would have cried like me when the big moments of progress happened.
This scenario actually happened to the author's colleague. They were working together to help a teenage boy work through some of the horrible, awful things done to him by his own stepfather, with his own mother's consent, and they were making real progress. But suddenly, one of his two lifelines to normalcy is no longer around. He feels abandoned, feels like it's his fault because he's worthless, because who would want to have anything to do with a worthless boy like him? And six months of real progress is down the drain, to say nothing of all the psychiatrist's other patients, abandoned by the one person they can trust, all because some board of directors feels icky about someone's sexuality. Sometimes the world just makes me sick, you know?
Believe it or not, a lot of other stuff happens in this book, some of it good, a lot of it bad. Kevin, the "Murphy's Boy" of the title, makes headway and loses ground and gradually comes to terms with the terrible things done to him in his past. And by the end of the book, he's able to live in a group home, go to school, get a job, and have a normal life.
I really liked this book. I marked it as 5 stars, but I would probably rate it at 4.5 or 4.75, and only for one thing: for all that Hayden is a licensed psychologist, with years of experience working with children, she can seem a bit naive or oblivious when it comes to dealing with a teenaged boy. Also, Hayden takes pride in the fact that she doesn't subscribe to a specific school of psychological thought, but just kinda goes with the flow, trying things out until something works. The problem with this is that, as she herself says, sometimes progress is made and she doesn't know why. It's like if you were cooking with someone and you let them just throw whatever into the pot, and you don't know what the end result will be; if it turns out great, you have no idea how to duplicate the recipe for next time, and if it goes poorly, you just shrug your shoulders, throw it out and start all over. But these are children's minds and lives she's working with here; there's no room for screwing up, shrugging one's shoulders and starting over.
I have no doubt Karen would have loved this book; she would have balked at some of the scarier moments, like when Kevin is describing some of the abuse he and his siblings endured, but she would have cried like me when the big moments of progress happened.
September 27, 2021
I’m on a Torey Hayden binge. In MURPHY’S BOY, Kevin, a selective-mute teenager is her client. Over several years they work together through his anger and trauma. At times Kevin is violent, so violent Torey fears for his safety. Most everyone has given up on him, but Torey refuses.
MURPHY’S BOY is another dated book. Some of the terminology is antiquated and cringe-worthy. In one case a male therapist is fired because he’s “a homosexual” which is still legal in some states in the USA.
Torey frustrates me, at times brilliant with clients, yet often unethical and probably breaks laws. In one case, Kevin has a formulated plan and has built a weapon to kill his stepfather. Hayden not only doesn’t document this or alert the other members of the team in order to protect Kevin, she confiscates the homemade knife and brings it back because she promised Kevin she would. As therapists, we have an ethical obligation and duty to inform when someone is homicidal. Kevin not only had a plan, he talked about it week after week. Additionally, he was a resident in a treatment facility that Torey visited to see him a few times a week. Not alerting staff was reckless. Yet, at times she shows so much skill and patience she seems like she is giving him a chance at a decent life.
I truly enjoyed MURPHY’S BOY, but can’t rate it higher because of her ethical quagmires.
***ETA Hayden repeatedly refers to Kevin as ugly and unattractive. Even if I thought that about a client, which I likely wouldn’t because my brain doesn’t usually go there in terms of physical unpleasantness, I would never, ever write it in a book about a REAL PERSON, especially who might or might not read the book. If I think about all the kids I’ve worked with, some are cuter than others, some stunning or downright adorable. Every one had something worthy of positive mention.
MURPHY’S BOY is another dated book. Some of the terminology is antiquated and cringe-worthy. In one case a male therapist is fired because he’s “a homosexual” which is still legal in some states in the USA.
Torey frustrates me, at times brilliant with clients, yet often unethical and probably breaks laws. In one case, Kevin has a formulated plan and has built a weapon to kill his stepfather. Hayden not only doesn’t document this or alert the other members of the team in order to protect Kevin, she confiscates the homemade knife and brings it back because she promised Kevin she would. As therapists, we have an ethical obligation and duty to inform when someone is homicidal. Kevin not only had a plan, he talked about it week after week. Additionally, he was a resident in a treatment facility that Torey visited to see him a few times a week. Not alerting staff was reckless. Yet, at times she shows so much skill and patience she seems like she is giving him a chance at a decent life.
I truly enjoyed MURPHY’S BOY, but can’t rate it higher because of her ethical quagmires.
***ETA Hayden repeatedly refers to Kevin as ugly and unattractive. Even if I thought that about a client, which I likely wouldn’t because my brain doesn’t usually go there in terms of physical unpleasantness, I would never, ever write it in a book about a REAL PERSON, especially who might or might not read the book. If I think about all the kids I’ve worked with, some are cuter than others, some stunning or downright adorable. Every one had something worthy of positive mention.
September 10, 2021
I don't know what compelled me to buy this book from a second hand store. This is not the type of book I normally pick up. It was a bit emotional draining and I felt so sad for Kevin. The zoo boy. But I'm satisfied in a way that I read this and learned the horror's some children face. But don't think I'll read more books like this. Make me to sad and angry
January 31, 2016
I have been employed in the rehabilitation field since 1983 and have held my current position with the New York State commission for the Blind since 1989. If you were to ask me the author whose writing has had the most impact on my work, I'm pretty sure my answer would surprise you. It wouldn't be a vocational theorist, though their publications are certainly important. It wouldn't be a researcher, though I definitely value what they publish. It wouldn't be a blindness expert or one of the many blind people who have written honest and compelling autobiographies or memoirs whose books I often use with my clients. No, there's no question that the writer would be Torey L. Hayden, the special education teacher/psychologist who has written extraordinary encounters of her work over the years.
I first encountered Hayden in January of 1981 when "Somebody Else's Kids" was excerpted for the book section of the Reader's Digest. The following year, the Digest excerpted another of her books, "Murphy's Boy." I still have the Braille copies of those issues and I read those two abridged books about once each year. Whenever I see a new Hayden title, it moves close to the top of my reading list and I have never been disappointed by anything she has written.
For some reason though, I was never able to find the complete version of "Murphy's boy." I kept hoping that the title would be listed in BRAILLE BOOK REVIEW or Talking Book Topics, but somehow it never was. Or so I thought. When it appeared on BARD (The Braille and Audio Reading Download website) in December, I immediately downloaded it and learned that it had been recorded in July of 1985; I don't know how I missed it. At any rate, I planned to read it right after I finished the holiday books I so look forward to each December. Well, a few other books got in the way, mostly because I wanted to read them while people were still talking about them, but finally, the time to read more Hayden arrived.
This book tells the story of her work with a teen-age boy whom she calls Kevin Richter. Kevin hasn't spoken for many years, though he is perfectly capable of doing so; this condition is known as elective mutism. The staff know that Hayden has researched the condition and they ask for her assistance. Thus begins the journey. We learn how Torey is able to break through Kevin's silence and of the horrific events which have made up his life. The story is a remarkable and unforgettable one.
I suspect that just about anyone would be completely captivated by this and Hayden's other books. She is an excellent and compelling storyteller. I always feel like I'm right there with her experiencing the highs and lows of her work.
One thing which makes her books stand out is that Hayden doesn't portray herself as some sort of a miracle worker. (The book jacket blurb certainly does and that's most unfortunate.) We learn of her successes, of course, but she also makes it very clear that there are many times when she isn't at all sure of what she is doing, when she wonders if she's up to the task, when she is afraid that the strategies she is utilizing might actually do more harm than good. One reason people choose careers in the human services is that the work is incredibly unpredictable. People are quite complex and, no matter how much we study, it's impossible to accurately predict the results of a given intervention. So we do our best and hope that we are making the right choices. It's rewarding to see this portrayed so honestly in Hayden's writing.
I also love the way Hayden portrays the students and clients with whom she works. We certainly are aware that Kevin is struggling with mental illness, but Hayden paints such a vivid picture of him that we come to know him as much more than that; he is a complete and complex individual who has a disability.
One unique aspect of Hayden's books is that they go beyond merely telling the remarkable stories of the students and clients with whom she has worked. She isn't afraid to let us get to know her and to share these experiences with her. This adds a depth and humanity to the books and makes them even more complete.
It was fascinating to read the full length book after being so familiar with the abridged version published in Reader's Digest. I came away with a renewed respect for the editors who work so hard to abridge the books while being faithful to both their plot and their spirit. In this instance, they did a terrific job. With that said, I'm awfully glad I was finally able to read the whole book. There are many scenes which, though not crucial to understanding the story, add immeasurably to its impact. In addition, there are side stories which allow us to see the author as a complete person with more to her life than her remarkable work. In this book, for example, Hayden also tells of her involvement with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization and of her connection with the "little sister" with whom she was involved while working with Kevin. We also learn more about the psychologist who joins the team with Kevin and Torey and those details enrich the story immeasurably.
One word of warning is in order: the depictions of child abuse, while quite necessary, are very explicit and extremely brutal. If you aren't able to cope with such things, you may want to give this book a pass.
If you work in the human services and are tired of the constant focus on numbers and outcomes, you owe it to yourself to read this book. It will remind you of why you chose the profession you did and, if you are anything like me, it will renew your commitment and allow you to keep going. If you aren't involved with such work, you'll still love this incredible portrayal of the power of the human spirit and the difference we can all make if we embrace the opportunity to do so.
I first encountered Hayden in January of 1981 when "Somebody Else's Kids" was excerpted for the book section of the Reader's Digest. The following year, the Digest excerpted another of her books, "Murphy's Boy." I still have the Braille copies of those issues and I read those two abridged books about once each year. Whenever I see a new Hayden title, it moves close to the top of my reading list and I have never been disappointed by anything she has written.
For some reason though, I was never able to find the complete version of "Murphy's boy." I kept hoping that the title would be listed in BRAILLE BOOK REVIEW or Talking Book Topics, but somehow it never was. Or so I thought. When it appeared on BARD (The Braille and Audio Reading Download website) in December, I immediately downloaded it and learned that it had been recorded in July of 1985; I don't know how I missed it. At any rate, I planned to read it right after I finished the holiday books I so look forward to each December. Well, a few other books got in the way, mostly because I wanted to read them while people were still talking about them, but finally, the time to read more Hayden arrived.
This book tells the story of her work with a teen-age boy whom she calls Kevin Richter. Kevin hasn't spoken for many years, though he is perfectly capable of doing so; this condition is known as elective mutism. The staff know that Hayden has researched the condition and they ask for her assistance. Thus begins the journey. We learn how Torey is able to break through Kevin's silence and of the horrific events which have made up his life. The story is a remarkable and unforgettable one.
I suspect that just about anyone would be completely captivated by this and Hayden's other books. She is an excellent and compelling storyteller. I always feel like I'm right there with her experiencing the highs and lows of her work.
One thing which makes her books stand out is that Hayden doesn't portray herself as some sort of a miracle worker. (The book jacket blurb certainly does and that's most unfortunate.) We learn of her successes, of course, but she also makes it very clear that there are many times when she isn't at all sure of what she is doing, when she wonders if she's up to the task, when she is afraid that the strategies she is utilizing might actually do more harm than good. One reason people choose careers in the human services is that the work is incredibly unpredictable. People are quite complex and, no matter how much we study, it's impossible to accurately predict the results of a given intervention. So we do our best and hope that we are making the right choices. It's rewarding to see this portrayed so honestly in Hayden's writing.
I also love the way Hayden portrays the students and clients with whom she works. We certainly are aware that Kevin is struggling with mental illness, but Hayden paints such a vivid picture of him that we come to know him as much more than that; he is a complete and complex individual who has a disability.
One unique aspect of Hayden's books is that they go beyond merely telling the remarkable stories of the students and clients with whom she has worked. She isn't afraid to let us get to know her and to share these experiences with her. This adds a depth and humanity to the books and makes them even more complete.
It was fascinating to read the full length book after being so familiar with the abridged version published in Reader's Digest. I came away with a renewed respect for the editors who work so hard to abridge the books while being faithful to both their plot and their spirit. In this instance, they did a terrific job. With that said, I'm awfully glad I was finally able to read the whole book. There are many scenes which, though not crucial to understanding the story, add immeasurably to its impact. In addition, there are side stories which allow us to see the author as a complete person with more to her life than her remarkable work. In this book, for example, Hayden also tells of her involvement with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization and of her connection with the "little sister" with whom she was involved while working with Kevin. We also learn more about the psychologist who joins the team with Kevin and Torey and those details enrich the story immeasurably.
One word of warning is in order: the depictions of child abuse, while quite necessary, are very explicit and extremely brutal. If you aren't able to cope with such things, you may want to give this book a pass.
If you work in the human services and are tired of the constant focus on numbers and outcomes, you owe it to yourself to read this book. It will remind you of why you chose the profession you did and, if you are anything like me, it will renew your commitment and allow you to keep going. If you aren't involved with such work, you'll still love this incredible portrayal of the power of the human spirit and the difference we can all make if we embrace the opportunity to do so.
September 7, 2019
Review written September 07, 2019
4.6 STARS - I just love Kevin’s story. Heartwarming!!
I just finished Murphy’s boy as a 11 hours audiobook terrific narrated in Swedish by Anja Lundqvist and ...
I LOVED this book as much as I did 30 years ago reading the paperback for the very first time. This was also my first book by the psychologist / teacher Torey L. Hayden and I remember I recommended it to friends. I don’t know why but I just can’t forget the story about this ugly poor shaky teen kid who was so afraid and deadly scared sitting there under a table like in a cage.
In my opinion the best in this genre. Honestly not sure how many times I read it but I guess at least four. — Highly recommended for all of you who like a gripping true life story about some child with special needs and a lovely child psychologist.
I LIKE - all Torey L. Hayden “poor” child stories
*************
If you want to know what happened after the book ended? See Torey Hayden’s website.
4.6 STARS - I just love Kevin’s story. Heartwarming!!
I just finished Murphy’s boy as a 11 hours audiobook terrific narrated in Swedish by Anja Lundqvist and ...
I LOVED this book as much as I did 30 years ago reading the paperback for the very first time. This was also my first book by the psychologist / teacher Torey L. Hayden and I remember I recommended it to friends. I don’t know why but I just can’t forget the story about this ugly poor shaky teen kid who was so afraid and deadly scared sitting there under a table like in a cage. “His name was Kevin but his keepers called him Zoo Boy. He didn't talk. He hid under tables and surrounded himself with a cage of chairs. He hadn't been out of the building in the four years since he'd come in. He was afraid of water and wouldn't take a shower. He was afraid to be naked, to change his clothes. He was nearly 16.”
In my opinion the best in this genre. Honestly not sure how many times I read it but I guess at least four. — Highly recommended for all of you who like a gripping true life story about some child with special needs and a lovely child psychologist.
I LIKE - all Torey L. Hayden “poor” child stories
*************
If you want to know what happened after the book ended? See Torey Hayden’s website.
May 10, 2019
Als ich das Buch zuklappte, liefen mir die Tränen übers Gesicht. Eine so tief erschütternde Geschichte. Kevin spricht seit Jahren kein Wort. Fast nichts ist über ihn vermerkt und Torey Hayden muss in mühevollen langen Monaten einzelne Zeile finden und zusammen setzen ohne das fertige Bild zu kennen. So beschreibt sie selbst ihre Arbeit. Kevin, der Junge, den wirklich niemand liebte bringt auch Torey an ihre Grenzen und darüber hinaus. Unglaublich bewegend und liebevoll erzählt die Autorin die unglaubliche Geschichte ihres Jungen. Eine absolute Empfehlung für starke Nerven. Denn die Gewaltszenen werden ebrnso schonungslos beschrieben wie die tiefe Trauer und Verzweiflung, die in diesem Fall mitwirken. Unvergesslich.
February 26, 2008
all hayden books get 4 stars from me bc they changed my life when i was in high school and made me want to be a psychologist to help kids like she did. She is not meant to be a young adult writer.. I think her books are meant for adults, so don't think it's a kiddy book just cuz I read 'em in high school! I don't remember much about the writing (they are all written in first person) but the TRUE stories about the children who she has worked with are heartbreaking and inspiring. Haven't read one of her books in YEARS, BUT if you are interested in child/adolescent psychology, social work, special-ed, child abuse, teaching, mental health or if you think YOU'VE had a bad day, READ THESE BOOKS.
September 24, 2017
„Jsme jako duchové,“ řekl. „Jako duchové v zrcadlech. Místo duchů bez těl jsme jako těla bez duší. Prázdné skořápky, v nichž jsou uvězněné špatné osoby. Nebo v nich není vůbec nikdo. Zrcadloví duchové. Půl milionu. Půl miliardy... Panebože... Možná půlka světa jsou zrcadloví duchové. Jenom těla, co zabírají prosto a chodí si jen tak prázdně po světě.“
Zvíře je něco naprosto jiného, než čtu normálně. Je to non-fiction ze života samotné autorky, a možná proto mi to připadalo tak živé, protože tento dech beroucí a citlivý příběh se opravdu stal. Před paní Hayden smekám, protože musela ve své práci vytrpět vážně hodně a úplně si to nedokážu představit.
Zvíře je něco naprosto jiného, než čtu normálně. Je to non-fiction ze života samotné autorky, a možná proto mi to připadalo tak živé, protože tento dech beroucí a citlivý příběh se opravdu stal. Před paní Hayden smekám, protože musela ve své práci vytrpět vážně hodně a úplně si to nedokážu představit.
December 30, 2020
Um testemunho doloroso e avassalador que convido futuros leitores a descobrir.
A escrita é simples e fluida. É um romance promissor.
Kevin foi encontrado debaixo de uma mesa. Não falava uma palavra há oito anos. Médicos e outros profissionais consideravam que era um caso sem esperança, incurável. Contudo, a autora (professora de educação especial) não aceitou essa "realidade" ou "caso perdido" como muitos viriam a pensar. Com devoção inabalável e paciência, a autora descobriu uma história violenta bem como um terrível segredo que uma "burocracia insensível simplesmente arquivou e esqueceu".
Uma história verídica que recomendo ler (essencialmente pais e professores).
A escrita é simples e fluida. É um romance promissor.
Kevin foi encontrado debaixo de uma mesa. Não falava uma palavra há oito anos. Médicos e outros profissionais consideravam que era um caso sem esperança, incurável. Contudo, a autora (professora de educação especial) não aceitou essa "realidade" ou "caso perdido" como muitos viriam a pensar. Com devoção inabalável e paciência, a autora descobriu uma história violenta bem como um terrível segredo que uma "burocracia insensível simplesmente arquivou e esqueceu".
Uma história verídica que recomendo ler (essencialmente pais e professores).
May 18, 2012
Tykkäsin kovasti. Kirjan alkupuolella luin vain iltaisin, enintään parikymmentä sivua / ilta, mutta viimeiset 200 sivua luin kahdessa päivässä. En vain olisi malttanut laskea kirjaa käsistäni.
Luin pitkästä aikaa käännetyn kirjan, ja muutamaan otteeseen se häiritsi. Seuraavan kirjan tahdon lukea alkuperäiskielellä, mahdollisesti Haydenin jonkun toisen kirjan. Jollain tavalla kirjan teema, kerrontatapa tai tekstin nostattamat tunteet muistuttivat Jodi Picoultin kirjoja.
Luin pitkästä aikaa käännetyn kirjan, ja muutamaan otteeseen se häiritsi. Seuraavan kirjan tahdon lukea alkuperäiskielellä, mahdollisesti Haydenin jonkun toisen kirjan. Jollain tavalla kirjan teema, kerrontatapa tai tekstin nostattamat tunteet muistuttivat Jodi Picoultin kirjoja.
September 4, 2019
Fascinating, heartbreaking, and inspiring.
May 19, 2014
Time taken to read - 3 days
Publisher - Avon
Pages - 324
Blurb From Goodreads
His name was Kevin but his keepers called him Zoo Boy. He didn't talk. He hid under tables and surrounded himself with a cage of chairs. He hadn't been out of the building in the four years since he'd come in. He was afraid of water and wouldn't take a shower. He was afraid to be naked, to change his clothes. He was nearly 16.
Desperate to see change in the boy, the staff of Kevin's adolescent treatment center hired Hayden. As Hayden read to him and encouraged him to read, crawling down into his cage of chairs with him, Kevin talked. Then he started to draw and paint and showed himself to have a quick wit and a rolling, seething, murderous hatred for his stepfather.
My Review
Kevin is 15 years old, cowering under a table when Torey first meets him, called Zoo Boy for the behaviors he exhibits and his self built cage of chairs and tables. He is afraid of everything, assumed to have a low IQ, a sketchy abusive past and talks to no one. When Torey starts to break down the barriers, Kevin begins to become more of a person than "an animal" and allows Torey glimpses of the boy he is. A long and arduous journey begins for Kevin, to face his past and all the things that terrify him and Torey finds herself faced with possibly one of her biggest challenges yet.
I have read a few of Torey Hayden's books and they can be really hard going, abuse, horror, violence and poverty being just a few of the issues. This one is no different and does cover some horrifying subjects however the bulk of the focus is on Kevin and his journey. It is quite emotional to see this poor child transform from an elective mute and try and face his demons. The processes involved and the red tape around establishments, care available and employers homophobic attitudes toward employees, it is really interesting how some systems work.
There is another child in the story, Charity who is 8 years old, brought to Torey through the big sister project, a little girl with a big attitude and a poor family. Torey splits her time between the two and the reader gets to see the positive influence, love, time and effort can have on two very different children and the impact it can have on them. Whilst some of the story is sad, hard going and plucks a few heart strings it is a story that restores faith in someone who does her job and really cares about the children than come into her care, however brief. Hayden writes very well and covers some horrific topics in a sensitive manner so 4/5 for me this time.
Publisher - Avon
Pages - 324
Blurb From Goodreads
His name was Kevin but his keepers called him Zoo Boy. He didn't talk. He hid under tables and surrounded himself with a cage of chairs. He hadn't been out of the building in the four years since he'd come in. He was afraid of water and wouldn't take a shower. He was afraid to be naked, to change his clothes. He was nearly 16.
Desperate to see change in the boy, the staff of Kevin's adolescent treatment center hired Hayden. As Hayden read to him and encouraged him to read, crawling down into his cage of chairs with him, Kevin talked. Then he started to draw and paint and showed himself to have a quick wit and a rolling, seething, murderous hatred for his stepfather.
My Review
Kevin is 15 years old, cowering under a table when Torey first meets him, called Zoo Boy for the behaviors he exhibits and his self built cage of chairs and tables. He is afraid of everything, assumed to have a low IQ, a sketchy abusive past and talks to no one. When Torey starts to break down the barriers, Kevin begins to become more of a person than "an animal" and allows Torey glimpses of the boy he is. A long and arduous journey begins for Kevin, to face his past and all the things that terrify him and Torey finds herself faced with possibly one of her biggest challenges yet.
I have read a few of Torey Hayden's books and they can be really hard going, abuse, horror, violence and poverty being just a few of the issues. This one is no different and does cover some horrifying subjects however the bulk of the focus is on Kevin and his journey. It is quite emotional to see this poor child transform from an elective mute and try and face his demons. The processes involved and the red tape around establishments, care available and employers homophobic attitudes toward employees, it is really interesting how some systems work.
There is another child in the story, Charity who is 8 years old, brought to Torey through the big sister project, a little girl with a big attitude and a poor family. Torey splits her time between the two and the reader gets to see the positive influence, love, time and effort can have on two very different children and the impact it can have on them. Whilst some of the story is sad, hard going and plucks a few heart strings it is a story that restores faith in someone who does her job and really cares about the children than come into her care, however brief. Hayden writes very well and covers some horrific topics in a sensitive manner so 4/5 for me this time.
April 22, 2012
at first i was like:
really cant describe my feeling.
then i got mad to this book:
but then i realized it's reality. and reality sucks!
aku baca ini beberapa bulan setelah baca Ghost girl (Jadie) pas kelas 2 atau 3 smp. and all i can say is this book really ruined my childhood. aku masih bisa tahan baca ceritanya Jadie, tapi yang ini aduhh.. mungkin ini buku pertama yang aku nyesel bacanya. bukan karena ga bagus, tapi cape banget bacanya..
but, this book capture reality around us. kebetulan aku punya cerita tentang child abuse yang mungkin bisa membuka mata kita. jadi kebetulan teman saya punya kakak yang lagi residen Orto di salah satu RS. pas itu dia dapet pasien anak perempuan yang kita sebut saja A. A ini suka banget manjat pohon, menara, dll deh pokonya sampe akhirnya dia jatuh dan fraktur. (btw, ini bukan pipit yang sempet heboh di tv itu,ya..). masalahnya, setelah operasi, anak ini bener2 ga bisa diatur, dia tetep manjat sampe akhirnya jatuh dan fraktur lagi. dan abis itu kejadian ini keulang lagi sampe semua anak residen sebel banget sama dia. pas jatuh ketiga kali ini lumayan parah sampe dia harus pasang kateter (selang buat buang air kecil). and guess what yang dokter-dokter temuin. Anak ini udah *maaf* ga perawan lagi. jadi mungkin selama ini kebiasaannya manjat itu salah satu bentuk pelariannya atas perlakuan yang ia terima. Sekarang kayanya kasus ini lagi diproses polisi,sih.. ya ampun, aku ga akan bisa mandang anak nakal dengan sama lagi abis ini.
let's united against Child Abuse!
really cant describe my feeling.
then i got mad to this book:
but then i realized it's reality. and reality sucks!
aku baca ini beberapa bulan setelah baca Ghost girl (Jadie) pas kelas 2 atau 3 smp. and all i can say is this book really ruined my childhood. aku masih bisa tahan baca ceritanya Jadie, tapi yang ini aduhh.. mungkin ini buku pertama yang aku nyesel bacanya. bukan karena ga bagus, tapi cape banget bacanya..
but, this book capture reality around us. kebetulan aku punya cerita tentang child abuse yang mungkin bisa membuka mata kita. jadi kebetulan teman saya punya kakak yang lagi residen Orto di salah satu RS. pas itu dia dapet pasien anak perempuan yang kita sebut saja A. A ini suka banget manjat pohon, menara, dll deh pokonya sampe akhirnya dia jatuh dan fraktur. (btw, ini bukan pipit yang sempet heboh di tv itu,ya..). masalahnya, setelah operasi, anak ini bener2 ga bisa diatur, dia tetep manjat sampe akhirnya jatuh dan fraktur lagi. dan abis itu kejadian ini keulang lagi sampe semua anak residen sebel banget sama dia. pas jatuh ketiga kali ini lumayan parah sampe dia harus pasang kateter (selang buat buang air kecil). and guess what yang dokter-dokter temuin. Anak ini udah *maaf* ga perawan lagi. jadi mungkin selama ini kebiasaannya manjat itu salah satu bentuk pelariannya atas perlakuan yang ia terima. Sekarang kayanya kasus ini lagi diproses polisi,sih.. ya ampun, aku ga akan bisa mandang anak nakal dengan sama lagi abis ini.
let's united against Child Abuse!
May 5, 2017
I have mixed feelings about this book but will take it at its merit. This is a "supposed" personal true story told by a therapist. Does anyone but me think that it is unethical that this story was told? or published. Maybe I am silly
I disliked the way the author expressed her view in this book. She was judgemental and at times rude in her talking about Kevin. She says shes helping him, but then talks about him the next moment. I felt she lacked compassion, which she was supposed to provide these children, and she gets paid to be compassionate.
I disliked her writing style. While some of it is heartfelt, her repetitive inner monologs are entirely annoying and unnecessary. I also feel like this is when she is the rudest. I wanted to skim the chapters and completely ignore her thoughts. The best writing was when Keven was involved it made them interesting and heartfelt. I disliked her second side story also.
I thought Kevin's story was so heartbreaking. It was really crazy to see how much someone can fall between the cracks of the system. He was transferred from care facility to care facility. It was so powerful and crazy. I would hope that his life gets much easier from here on out.
I disliked the way the author expressed her view in this book. She was judgemental and at times rude in her talking about Kevin. She says shes helping him, but then talks about him the next moment. I felt she lacked compassion, which she was supposed to provide these children, and she gets paid to be compassionate.
I disliked her writing style. While some of it is heartfelt, her repetitive inner monologs are entirely annoying and unnecessary. I also feel like this is when she is the rudest. I wanted to skim the chapters and completely ignore her thoughts. The best writing was when Keven was involved it made them interesting and heartfelt. I disliked her second side story also.
I thought Kevin's story was so heartbreaking. It was really crazy to see how much someone can fall between the cracks of the system. He was transferred from care facility to care facility. It was so powerful and crazy. I would hope that his life gets much easier from here on out.
February 5, 2017
As always, Torey Hayden's writing rips out my heart and stomps on it, leaving me feeling slightly broken and battered. No one writes as beautifully as her about such starkly horrible things, and I have no idea how she manages to do what she does.
Murphy's Boy is the story of one of Hayden's unloveable, "unredeemable" children--in this case, a fifteen-year-old boy whose eight-year silence conceals a terrifying rage. Her willingness to continually put her own safety and sanity at risk in order to help children believed to be beyond help never fails to astound me, or give me hope.
The re-release had me thinking this was a new book, and I'm glad I picked it up, because somehow I had missed it and it has the same sparkling quality that made One Child so powerful. It's not One Child, of course, but it's a close second.
Murphy's Boy is the story of one of Hayden's unloveable, "unredeemable" children--in this case, a fifteen-year-old boy whose eight-year silence conceals a terrifying rage. Her willingness to continually put her own safety and sanity at risk in order to help children believed to be beyond help never fails to astound me, or give me hope.
The re-release had me thinking this was a new book, and I'm glad I picked it up, because somehow I had missed it and it has the same sparkling quality that made One Child so powerful. It's not One Child, of course, but it's a close second.
October 23, 2018
A deeply unsettling glimpse of institutions and psychology before the early 1980s. The language is jarring at times. Children are described as "retarded," "confined to a wheelchair," and "primitive". I suspect/hope that much of the author's own conduct would be considered extremely unprofessional in a contemporary setting. A very strange mixture of the author's personal life and experiences working with 'Kevin'.
May 25, 2009
3.5 stars
I like her books, always have. Guess they appeal to the teacher part of me. But they always make me so sad, too that there are so many kids out there with such trauma in their lives and the system fails them.
This one is about Kevin who is almost 16, elective mute, afraid of everything, hides under the tables. Once again Torey works her magic.
I like her books, always have. Guess they appeal to the teacher part of me. But they always make me so sad, too that there are so many kids out there with such trauma in their lives and the system fails them.
This one is about Kevin who is almost 16, elective mute, afraid of everything, hides under the tables. Once again Torey works her magic.
January 20, 2016
This book pulls you in. I read it in two days. Story is very sad and frustrating at times but well worth the tears. Torey Hayden is my all time favorite author. Front of books says He was a frightened boy who refused to speak until a teacher's love broke through the silence.
February 5, 2010
Another good read by Torey Hayden. I would love to know how Kevin is doing now. Liked this book a bit better than Twiligth Children
Read
September 19, 2015#260
Read by Kris
http://readingwithkaren.blogspot.com/...
Read by Kris
http://readingwithkaren.blogspot.com/...
February 25, 2018
Mielenkiintoinen aiheena. Jollain tapaa koskettava, ehkä ajatuksiakin herättävä. Mielenkiinto kirjaan nousi ja laski vuoronperään. Hitaasti loppuun pääsin kuitenkin
August 19, 2018
Touching story.
April 7, 2019
Letto più di dieci anni fa e letto oggi.
Come allora non mi ha delusa!
Bellissima storia, bellissimi protagonisti. Interessante, commovente, forte, profondo.
Come allora non mi ha delusa!
Bellissima storia, bellissimi protagonisti. Interessante, commovente, forte, profondo.
July 19, 2020
This boy, has been in one institution after another, for a big part of his life. His Mother gave him up.
He was severely abused, and quit talking.
In comes a therapist, who helps him speak again.
He was severely abused, and quit talking.
In comes a therapist, who helps him speak again.
June 17, 2023
Yet another inspirational book which reminds us that we never know what other people have experienced in their lives.
April 1, 2025
Every Torey Hayden book I've come across so far has been fascinating and this one was no different.
November 10, 2024
Ortografia…. História interessante mas enrolou muito.
“Se o mundo tivesse sido feito segundo um plano, haveria pessoas suficientes para toda a gente ser amada”
“Se o mundo tivesse sido feito segundo um plano, haveria pessoas suficientes para toda a gente ser amada”
March 24, 2019
Kevin refuses to respond to his environment at a mental hospital. Everyone calls him "Zoo Boy". As a last ditch effort to reach Kevin a therapist is called to try to reach Kevin whose about to age out of the facility. The story will break the reader's heart. At the same time, the determination of some people to reach Kevin is quite impressive. I don't know if I could do it or not. The ending was great.
August 17, 2012
I'll admit that this book warranted a 5 star, but that's a true score and not because I'm a fan of the author, since I haven't reach the level. I can be a fan of many authors but my reviews will stay true it it won't deter my honesty on whether I like the book or not. Fan status aside. I say this because reading some reviews on this one many quoted being a fan hence I believe this book getting the ratings handed out on it.
I was perturbed in the beginning by this book. I was disturbed not by the description given on Kevin's features, but rather how the author herself who is the special ed teacher as well in this story who played a large part in Kevin's life described him then went on to point out how ugly he was and how being assigned as his teacher seemed a nuisance from the way I have read it in my pov and preferred not to take on his case which clearly? it's her JOB to do so. Kevin was a child very much in need and throughout his young life there was no one there to give him the time and attention he clearly needed.
Kevin was clearly disturbed indeed and having read through and learned what events led to his refusal to talk you can understand with compassion as to why. I felt for the boy. Who could not? He acted out a lot. I saw this as his way to get attention although his was of going about it was very negative and the results disastrous. Poor kid! I show no pity for Kevin. I show sorrow and hurt for the deck of cards life dealt him. Everything and anything went wrong for him. He couldn't catch a break even though there was much that he brought on to himself. All that shite to the wayside, I enjoyed Kevin in all his strange mannerisms.
I did come across some contradictory in the book. For example: Torey writes about how Kevin's teacher in school should have reported the burns and cuts that appeared on Kevin's body and how the teacher hadn't, yet Tory herself runs into some risky situations with Kevin and doesn't report them herself.
Apart from ALL of that, I did enjoy reading about Kevin who was scared of his own shadow, life in general since he felt that it'd be better to remain crazy the rest of his life and I'm glad that Torey shared her experience she had with him with all us readers. A part of me wonders where Kevin is at in his life today.
I was perturbed in the beginning by this book. I was disturbed not by the description given on Kevin's features, but rather how the author herself who is the special ed teacher as well in this story who played a large part in Kevin's life described him then went on to point out how ugly he was and how being assigned as his teacher seemed a nuisance from the way I have read it in my pov and preferred not to take on his case which clearly? it's her JOB to do so. Kevin was a child very much in need and throughout his young life there was no one there to give him the time and attention he clearly needed.
Kevin was clearly disturbed indeed and having read through and learned what events led to his refusal to talk you can understand with compassion as to why. I felt for the boy. Who could not? He acted out a lot. I saw this as his way to get attention although his was of going about it was very negative and the results disastrous. Poor kid! I show no pity for Kevin. I show sorrow and hurt for the deck of cards life dealt him. Everything and anything went wrong for him. He couldn't catch a break even though there was much that he brought on to himself. All that shite to the wayside, I enjoyed Kevin in all his strange mannerisms.
I did come across some contradictory in the book. For example: Torey writes about how Kevin's teacher in school should have reported the burns and cuts that appeared on Kevin's body and how the teacher hadn't, yet Tory herself runs into some risky situations with Kevin and doesn't report them herself.
Apart from ALL of that, I did enjoy reading about Kevin who was scared of his own shadow, life in general since he felt that it'd be better to remain crazy the rest of his life and I'm glad that Torey shared her experience she had with him with all us readers. A part of me wonders where Kevin is at in his life today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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