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Spot 12: Five Months in the Neonatal ICU
Spot 12 delivers the gritty details of a mother, a newborn, and a five-month stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in a visually gripping graphic memoir by Jenny Jaeckel. A routine prenatal exam reveals a dangerous problem, and first-time parents find themselves thrust into a world of close calls, sleepless nights, and psychological crisis. Surrounded by disagreements, deaths, extended family tensions, and questions of faith, the mother struggles to maintain a positive frame of mind.
Against the antiseptic, mechanical reality of the NICU, the dedicated health professionals are drawn as sympathetic and wry animal characters. Doctor Eyes and Nurse Gentlehands are two of the care providers that do all they can to take care of Baby Asa. But even the best hospital staff make mistakes, and Jaeckel and her husband’s vigilance must be acute. At times they battle feelings of helplessness, but their determination, insight, bravery, and connection ultimately helps keep their little one alive.
Against the antiseptic, mechanical reality of the NICU, the dedicated health professionals are drawn as sympathetic and wry animal characters. Doctor Eyes and Nurse Gentlehands are two of the care providers that do all they can to take care of Baby Asa. But even the best hospital staff make mistakes, and Jaeckel and her husband’s vigilance must be acute. At times they battle feelings of helplessness, but their determination, insight, bravery, and connection ultimately helps keep their little one alive.
116 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
855 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Jaeckel
11 books150 followersJenny Jaeckel is the author of House of Rougeaux, which is her debut novel. Her previous titles include For the Love of Meat: Nine Illustrated Stories and Siberiak: My Cold War Adventure on the River Ob. In 2016, Jaeckel published the graphic memoir Spot 12: Five Months in the Neonatal ICU which was the winner of the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Spot 12 was also a 2016 finalist in the Foreword Indies Book Awards. She has also appeared as a guest on the popular podcast ONE BAD MOTHER.
Jenny Jaeckel was born in California, but lives in Victoria, British Columbia, where she and her husband became health refugees when their child needed a decade of specialized medical care. Jaeckel is currently working on her second novel, a continuation of the family epic House of Rougeaux, yet to be named.
Jenny Jaeckel was born in California, but lives in Victoria, British Columbia, where she and her husband became health refugees when their child needed a decade of specialized medical care. Jaeckel is currently working on her second novel, a continuation of the family epic House of Rougeaux, yet to be named.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
September 8, 2016
Just recently I have started delving into graphic novels. The first one I read was, Maus. So I was excited to find out that I won, Spot 12, because it sounded very similar to Maus; by using animals in place of people and it being a true story memoir about a horrific event. I also want to mention that I love the title!
Overall, I enjoyed the story of what was supposed to be a routine birth but ends up turning into the parent's worst nightmare. I felt so bad for Jenny and Cito and, of course, for Asa. As for my review ... What kind of threw off the story for me was the way in which it was written. Rather than the characters conversing together through speech bubbles, the story was just told above an accompanying cartoon. I felt like the story was detached from the pictures. Also, some of the way things are expressed in the story are just weird. I can't relate at all to a nurse who would say, "I just love their fat little vaginas" or the entire "I told Asa she was a big strong tree" paragraph.
I won this book for free through LibraryThings Early Reviewer's Giveaway.
Overall, I enjoyed the story of what was supposed to be a routine birth but ends up turning into the parent's worst nightmare. I felt so bad for Jenny and Cito and, of course, for Asa. As for my review ... What kind of threw off the story for me was the way in which it was written. Rather than the characters conversing together through speech bubbles, the story was just told above an accompanying cartoon. I felt like the story was detached from the pictures. Also, some of the way things are expressed in the story are just weird. I can't relate at all to a nurse who would say, "I just love their fat little vaginas" or the entire "I told Asa she was a big strong tree" paragraph.
I won this book for free through LibraryThings Early Reviewer's Giveaway.
December 13, 2016
Spot 12 is an account of the author's experience with the five months she spent with her daughter in the NICU. The book is unique as it is presented in a graphic novel-like format with the text and drawings created by the author. I haven't myself had any experience with my own child in the NICU, but I have had friends and family members who have spent time there with their newborns. Everyone's experience is different, but I can guess that some of the fears and feelings that all parents have while their child is in the NICU are the same.
For the most part, I liked the format The story flowed very quickly and the author was able to get the emotion and fear that she felt across to the reader very well. I think that it would be a good account for other parents going through the same thing to read. Maybe it would help them to know they aren't alone in their feelings. I liked how she gave the nurses, doctors and techs names that matched their personality and job. It made me feel more connected to them. I did feel like some of the cartoons didn't fit what was going on in the panel, but those were very few and far between. There is an epilogue in the end that catches you up on Asa's progress into 2015. I do recommend giving this one a try. I think a lot of people would benefit from reading it.
January 6, 2017
I won an Advance Review Copy through a Goodreads Giveaway.
I really feel bad about the suffering endured by Jaeckel's daughter and the stress it put on her and her family. That said, I really didn't like the execution of this graphic novel because it wasn't really a graphic novel, it was more like a poorly illustrated text piece. Captions overwhelm the pages. Dialogue balloons were used on maybe three pages, and the rest of the time the reader is subjected to giant boxes of text. Layouts of the pages (and those few uses of word balloons) are sometimes poor, leading to confusion as to what should be read next. Most panels are devoid of backgrounds or feature one crude inanimate object and one or two characters, leaving us with a lot of mice floating in space. And the few poor attempts at full backgrounds show why Jaeckel avoids them whenever possible. The author chose to hide the identity of real people by replacing their names with distractingly stupid aliases like Nurse Chuckles, Doctor Eyes and Nurse Gentlediaper. And don't get me started on the big, black rabbit of depression. Again, I understand why Jaeckel wants to share her story, and I was interested in it, but it was a real chore for me to read it in this format.
I really feel bad about the suffering endured by Jaeckel's daughter and the stress it put on her and her family. That said, I really didn't like the execution of this graphic novel because it wasn't really a graphic novel, it was more like a poorly illustrated text piece. Captions overwhelm the pages. Dialogue balloons were used on maybe three pages, and the rest of the time the reader is subjected to giant boxes of text. Layouts of the pages (and those few uses of word balloons) are sometimes poor, leading to confusion as to what should be read next. Most panels are devoid of backgrounds or feature one crude inanimate object and one or two characters, leaving us with a lot of mice floating in space. And the few poor attempts at full backgrounds show why Jaeckel avoids them whenever possible. The author chose to hide the identity of real people by replacing their names with distractingly stupid aliases like Nurse Chuckles, Doctor Eyes and Nurse Gentlediaper. And don't get me started on the big, black rabbit of depression. Again, I understand why Jaeckel wants to share her story, and I was interested in it, but it was a real chore for me to read it in this format.
October 23, 2016
It's hard to criticize such a deeply personal & honest story. There's a lot to appreciate here: some welcome openness about depression, an extremely touching recounting of the ways she viewed and touched and thought about her daughter. Some of the panels are tremendously striking in their stark black and white.
But a few things really rubbed me the wrong way--repeating the fallacy that vaccines are linked to autism, for example. That felt irresponsible. At times, it felt like some details had been added that didn't serve the narrative arc, and should probably have been cut in the editing process. And finally, I felt a little manipulated by some of the language choices toward the end. I won't say more because I don't want to add spoilers, but I thought it detracted from the forthrightness the story had built up.
Still, I've asked my partner to read it so we can discuss. I think it raises some critical issues that people thinking about procreation should talk about.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
But a few things really rubbed me the wrong way--repeating the fallacy that vaccines are linked to autism, for example. That felt irresponsible. At times, it felt like some details had been added that didn't serve the narrative arc, and should probably have been cut in the editing process. And finally, I felt a little manipulated by some of the language choices toward the end. I won't say more because I don't want to add spoilers, but I thought it detracted from the forthrightness the story had built up.
Still, I've asked my partner to read it so we can discuss. I think it raises some critical issues that people thinking about procreation should talk about.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
July 21, 2017
I read this book on my computer via a copy one of my dear neighbors had loaned me, and the following is my honest opinion.
Granted, while this endeavor by the author, Jenny Jaeckel, is in a comic book format, it does a decent job depicting the reality and the anguish by the parents, especially the mother, of seeing their newborn child lying helpless in an incubator in a NICU ward, it doesn’t come close to the real thing.
Having worked in city hospital for over 33 years in a non-medical capacity I had the opportunity of seeing NICU babies up close and personal. You can’t imagine what it’s like looking at these infants first hand, some so small you could hold in the palms of both of your hands. There they lie with their still pink helpless bodies, in their incubators, with monitors and tiny IV tubes with tiny needles taped to their bodies. The incubators have two holes on each side through which gloved nurses gingerly manipulate these pre-mature infants.
You can’t imagine the mothers sitting on chairs looking at the wonder they’ve given birth to. It’s a marvelous sight looking at these NICU babies has they win their battle of facing the numerous medical complications associated with being born pre-mature. You can’t imagine the emotional sight of seeing the mother being able to hold her infant in her arms for the time after several weeks, unless you’ve witnessed it yourself.
While having one child in a NICU is emotionally draining, just imagine what it’s like when the mother had given birth to multiple pre-mature infants, with each one developing at different rates. A mother might have one child at home, and the other(s) still in the NICU.
For having given her readers this insightful story, how can you not give it 5 STARS.
Granted, while this endeavor by the author, Jenny Jaeckel, is in a comic book format, it does a decent job depicting the reality and the anguish by the parents, especially the mother, of seeing their newborn child lying helpless in an incubator in a NICU ward, it doesn’t come close to the real thing.
Having worked in city hospital for over 33 years in a non-medical capacity I had the opportunity of seeing NICU babies up close and personal. You can’t imagine what it’s like looking at these infants first hand, some so small you could hold in the palms of both of your hands. There they lie with their still pink helpless bodies, in their incubators, with monitors and tiny IV tubes with tiny needles taped to their bodies. The incubators have two holes on each side through which gloved nurses gingerly manipulate these pre-mature infants.
You can’t imagine the mothers sitting on chairs looking at the wonder they’ve given birth to. It’s a marvelous sight looking at these NICU babies has they win their battle of facing the numerous medical complications associated with being born pre-mature. You can’t imagine the emotional sight of seeing the mother being able to hold her infant in her arms for the time after several weeks, unless you’ve witnessed it yourself.
While having one child in a NICU is emotionally draining, just imagine what it’s like when the mother had given birth to multiple pre-mature infants, with each one developing at different rates. A mother might have one child at home, and the other(s) still in the NICU.
For having given her readers this insightful story, how can you not give it 5 STARS.
October 31, 2017
I do not read many graphic novels, it is generally not a style that appeals to me. The story here is deeply emotional and well told through words and pictures. I particularly liked the use of space to show how small the author felt in the face of these life changing events she was experiencing. I also really appreciated the epilogue with information about what happened next.
received this through a goodreads giveaway.
received this through a goodreads giveaway.
July 28, 2017
I won an Advance Review Copy of Spot 12: The Story of a Birth by Jenny Jaeckel in a Goodreads giveaway. Initially, I was excited to read an emotionally moving account of life in the NICU. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The overall writing style and illustrations were quite dull. I just couldn’t get into it enough to emotionally connect, nor stay focused to read it. That was before getting to p. 74 when I felt shocked/confused about the "I love their fat little vaginas!" line. That little creeper appeared out of nowhere. Then there was p. 75. This just made me angry as an Autistic person. The anti-vaccine conspiracy about ASDs is scientifically unfounded. Its ignorant and dangerous, not to mention highly offensive to those of us actually on the spectrum. Maybe it’s hard for the author to understand but comparing someone's brain to "brain damage" and "diseases" is beyond insensitive. Further, it just plain inaccurate/wrong. And, saying that you don't want to vaccinate to prevent Autism, which vaccines don't even cause, sounds to an Autistic person like you are saying you hate them, their neurology, and their community so much you would rather your child suffer or even die from a preventable illness just so that your child wouldn't be like them. We deal with these and other harmful stereotypes and stigma every single day. Unfortunately, this one is now costing people, children, their lives. I had to stop and calm myself to the point where my anger was more annoyance to even continue the book. Though, it did create an emotional response. The rest of the book was much like the first part, un-intriguing. Also, in case the author cares Allah is just the Arabic word for God (literally ‘the God’ though in English instead of a definite article we just capitalize the G)) and Muslims worship the same God as Jews and Christians. It’s not a different deity. I can't really recommend it to anyone (even to my friends and family with connections to a NICU). On the positive side, Spoiler alert, I’m glad Asa is doing well.
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October 14, 2017I enjoyed (as much as one can enjoy a recounting of another person's pain...) this text. I've read some reviews that fault the author for not using direct text/quotations much. That really didn't bother me. In fact, I think I liked it more the way it is. As someone who has spent too much time in a hospital with a family member, I appreciate the balance of confusion and terror with the (sometimes dark) humor. Overall, a worthwhile read.
April 10, 2017
Disclaimer: I received Spot 12 through a Goodreads Giveway. I admit that I naively misunderstood the word “graphic” in the description, thinking it related to realistic descriptions of medical procedures.
I love the title. Spot 12 was the location of Jaeckel’s daughter’s isolette in the NICU. The gut-wrenching story is told through the use of illustrations enclosed in panels. All of the people are depicted as animals. This tends to add distance and give an air of unreality, which is perhaps a perfect description of what it’s like for new parents to have an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit. Through brief snippets of prose in thought bubbles, the reader is given an overview of what is happening. The illustrations are well-done, and Jaeckel appears to be a talented writer. Jaeckel is open about the emotional and psychological trauma she endured, but for me, the use of a graphic novel technique barely scratched the surface. Perhaps I’m showing my age as a boomer, but I think this technique trivializes a life-changing experience. Let me add that at no time did the author give the impression that this was anything but earthshattering; I’m just saying I would have preferred a more traditional memoir format.
I love the title. Spot 12 was the location of Jaeckel’s daughter’s isolette in the NICU. The gut-wrenching story is told through the use of illustrations enclosed in panels. All of the people are depicted as animals. This tends to add distance and give an air of unreality, which is perhaps a perfect description of what it’s like for new parents to have an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit. Through brief snippets of prose in thought bubbles, the reader is given an overview of what is happening. The illustrations are well-done, and Jaeckel appears to be a talented writer. Jaeckel is open about the emotional and psychological trauma she endured, but for me, the use of a graphic novel technique barely scratched the surface. Perhaps I’m showing my age as a boomer, but I think this technique trivializes a life-changing experience. Let me add that at no time did the author give the impression that this was anything but earthshattering; I’m just saying I would have preferred a more traditional memoir format.
September 5, 2011
This was awesome and I don't simply say so because the writer/illustrator is a friend from high school. Okay, so maybe that added a star, but the book is still the bee's knees--if a harrowing read. The anthropomorphic artwork is easily on the level of Maus; the story made me absolutely convinced that I don't want to have an unhealthy baby. (Because prior to this, there was some doubt.)
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October 25, 2012Love this book. Jenny does an amazing job of presenting her story of the premature birth of her daughter in a simple, beautiful visual language.
May 16, 2013
Intense and beautiful!
August 24, 2017
Thank you to Goodreads for the free ARC of this book. I just now, almost a year later, read the book. True story of a birth! This is a graphic novel depicting the birth of the author's first child. This was by no means an easy book to read. Spot 12 is the location in the NICU where Jenny Jaeckel's daughter spent most of her first few months of life. The family is drawn as some sort of animal, perhaps a bear. I found this to make the story endearing. There were several parts of this story that really struck me. Page 39, "When you have a child you give birth to your own heart". This is so true. The author is raw in expressing her feelings regarding the hospitalization and the surgeries and procedures that her baby has to under go. I could not even imagine what this experience would be like. She contemplates why they would bring their child into this world knowing that she would have to suffer. TEARS! I wanted to hug this mother many times during my read of this book. I wanted to console her and tell her it would be okay. My son was born healthy-I'm very lucky. The author discusses holding together her emotions for her baby, but internally she was suffering. I think people don't tend to think about this aspect of a baby's hospitalization. I didn't. The mental health of the parents is also of utmost importance. I'm glad that the author mentions this and that she was able to seek out help. One should never be ashamed to get help with mental health issues. I loved the pictures at the end of the book of Asa and the little follow up of how she is a healthy eleven year old who is going to get to take swimming lessons now. This book gave me a new perspective on birth, how fortunate I was to have a healthy child. And the struggle that parents are going through when their child/baby is hospitalized. Good read.
June 17, 2018
In Spot 12: Five Months in the Neonatal ICU, Jenny Jaeckel narrates and illustrates the experience of her newborn daughter being stuck in the NICU because of various problems, including some challenges with her trachea. Fortuitously, the baby is born in Canada, which has universal health care, and the baby gets the care that she needs.
Throughout the entire experience, the parents find themselves largely divided, as they try to make sure that one of them is with baby Asa at almost all times. As the ordeal continues, Jenny finds herself depleted as she tries to recover, follow the health trials of her newborn, and adjust to her new life. Her mental health suffers and she struggles to keep herself functional through all of the medical drama.
The recounting includes a lot of detail, and the graphic novel sweeps you into the enclosed world of the NICU, where it seems that nothing changes for weeks and even months, until it does. Characters are drawn as different illustrations, and it is all in black and white. Drawings are not overly simplified, but are not terribly intricate, either. The effect is as though the story were a straightforward memoir and not representational.
An ambitious work, which feels honest and stifling. I found myself eager to hold my own baby and extremely grateful for her health.
Throughout the entire experience, the parents find themselves largely divided, as they try to make sure that one of them is with baby Asa at almost all times. As the ordeal continues, Jenny finds herself depleted as she tries to recover, follow the health trials of her newborn, and adjust to her new life. Her mental health suffers and she struggles to keep herself functional through all of the medical drama.
The recounting includes a lot of detail, and the graphic novel sweeps you into the enclosed world of the NICU, where it seems that nothing changes for weeks and even months, until it does. Characters are drawn as different illustrations, and it is all in black and white. Drawings are not overly simplified, but are not terribly intricate, either. The effect is as though the story were a straightforward memoir and not representational.
An ambitious work, which feels honest and stifling. I found myself eager to hold my own baby and extremely grateful for her health.
February 15, 2017
Disclaimer: I received Spot 12 through a Goodreads Giveway.
Initially the art style of this book turned me off a little but the stylized caricatures helped me to better feel the intents of each personality. I found the story to be conveyed in such a way to give weight, expressing not just the actions of the protagonist but to actually make you feel with her. Pages showing anxiety or stress putting you in her mindset. The explanations of the various medical goings on could have been very dry but they flowed nicely without breaking the mood. It was delivered in a way to make you feel your own child was going through this. Something that did bother me was the presentation that not vaccinating was on equal footing with vaccination in scientific literature which is simply not true. I don't think anyone will be seeking this book for medical advice so that quibble is a minor one. The part of the book that made me really like this was the follow up at the end with the photos and the obvious acceptance of their LGBTQ child. After such an ordeal its wonderful to read that the ending stayed happy. I would recommended this to any fan of graphic novels that are slice of life. Its an emotional journey you get the chance to share.
Initially the art style of this book turned me off a little but the stylized caricatures helped me to better feel the intents of each personality. I found the story to be conveyed in such a way to give weight, expressing not just the actions of the protagonist but to actually make you feel with her. Pages showing anxiety or stress putting you in her mindset. The explanations of the various medical goings on could have been very dry but they flowed nicely without breaking the mood. It was delivered in a way to make you feel your own child was going through this. Something that did bother me was the presentation that not vaccinating was on equal footing with vaccination in scientific literature which is simply not true. I don't think anyone will be seeking this book for medical advice so that quibble is a minor one. The part of the book that made me really like this was the follow up at the end with the photos and the obvious acceptance of their LGBTQ child. After such an ordeal its wonderful to read that the ending stayed happy. I would recommended this to any fan of graphic novels that are slice of life. Its an emotional journey you get the chance to share.
May 18, 2017
This birth story is both a miracle and a nightmare, wrapped in a baby blanket. Going to the hospital for a prenatal ultrasound, the parents are plunged into a relentless five-month series of interventions to keep baby Asa alive. Creatively depicted by mother Jenny Jaeckel, the black and white illustrations add to the surreal sense of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its clinical procedures, aided by a barrage of machines and devices, are balanced by the ever-changing healthcare team, brought inventively into human focus by their personal traits, such as Nurse Chuckles.
Poignantly portrayed, the strain on family relationships, and the author's struggle to maintain her own mental health, brings to mind the old adage: it takes a whole village to raise a child. In this case, it takes one to save Asa's life. Read under the harsh light of current events, the story also prompts the wider, chilling question of what would have happened at the birth if Asa's American parents had been in the US, where they could not afford their baby's care. It is a life-changing event for them all.
Poignantly portrayed, the strain on family relationships, and the author's struggle to maintain her own mental health, brings to mind the old adage: it takes a whole village to raise a child. In this case, it takes one to save Asa's life. Read under the harsh light of current events, the story also prompts the wider, chilling question of what would have happened at the birth if Asa's American parents had been in the US, where they could not afford their baby's care. It is a life-changing event for them all.
July 31, 2017
This phenomenal and emotional book describes the author's daughter Asa's stay in a Vancouver NICU for the first five months of her life. Asa was born with a tracheoesophageal fistula, a very rare congenital anomaly in which the esophagus is attached to the trachea. Babies with this problem are critically ill and require multiple surgeries and months of intensive care. The book is in graphic form and all the people are presented as animals. This conveys emotion well and allows people with limited time to understand the concepts and story quickly. This book could be of great comfort to parents in the same or a similar situation. It would also help friends and family of said parents understand better what the parents of critically ill babies are going through. This was a very powerful, helpful and educational book; however, there was one aspect I did not like. It was when the author perpetuated the myth linking vaccines to autism. This myth has been debunked and is insulting to people on the spectrum. I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you.
August 19, 2017
This is a difficult book to review, because there are several components to it. Some of them are executed very well while others fall short. The narrative is very personal, and I think Jenny Jaeckel does a very good job of inviting the reader in to experience all of the emotions that were running through her head during this period of her life. It's a heart-wrenching story, but one that is ultimately inspiring. I love the inclusion of the epilogue with photos at the end.
In the introduction, it's revealed that Jaeckel wrote the full text of the book first, before beginning the illustrations. Unfortunately, this is obvious while reading. Most of the panels tend to have too much narration attached, which is not the most effective use of the comic form. Either the text needed to be cut down during this stage, or there needed to be more panels and illustrations. Another option would've been to scrap the use of panels altogether and create more fluid illustrations to pair with the text. There were certainly times when I felt that the potency of the story was lost because the narration kept stopping and starting with each new panel, disrupting the flow. That said, there were some beautiful spreads sprinkled throughout, particularly during more quiet and contemplative parts of the narrative. The illustrations themselves were lovely and simple. The use of anthropomorphic animals endeared me to all of the players in the story while keeping me at a distance at the same time.
Grade: B-
In the introduction, it's revealed that Jaeckel wrote the full text of the book first, before beginning the illustrations. Unfortunately, this is obvious while reading. Most of the panels tend to have too much narration attached, which is not the most effective use of the comic form. Either the text needed to be cut down during this stage, or there needed to be more panels and illustrations. Another option would've been to scrap the use of panels altogether and create more fluid illustrations to pair with the text. There were certainly times when I felt that the potency of the story was lost because the narration kept stopping and starting with each new panel, disrupting the flow. That said, there were some beautiful spreads sprinkled throughout, particularly during more quiet and contemplative parts of the narrative. The illustrations themselves were lovely and simple. The use of anthropomorphic animals endeared me to all of the players in the story while keeping me at a distance at the same time.
Grade: B-
January 18, 2019
This graphic novel / memoir tells the author's story of childbirth, complications, and an unexpected 5 months in the NICU in a Canadian hospital with her daughter Asa. The story is told frankly and emotionally, and Jaeckel doesn't sugarcoat her feelings of depression, exhaustion, and worry. There are also sparks of joy in this rough period, and those aren't ignored either. The drawings are done Maus-style, with animals representing the people. While some panels are really expressive and evocative, I found the drawings overall to be overwhelmed by the text and not as integrated as they could be. Jaeckel is very much writing in her own voice here, and the narrative has an honest, but unedited quality to it that wasn't always successful. I also could not get over her anti-vaccination stance, but that may not bother every reader as much as it did me. This book gives us a detailed look into a world that isn't often explored, and while the style didn't totally work for me, it was still a worthwhile read.
December 30, 2016
5 stars
Buy it
This is the intense but brilliant story of an infant in nicu after an early birth. I was outraged for the author when she was told by a nurse not to touch her baby for two days. Probably because it reminded me when my son was in nicu for a few days and was told I couldn't hold him. I was furious, so I could feel the authors pain. I loved hearing about the kind nurses and hated the incompetent ones. Hearing about some of the other patients families too was also moving. I liked how the people are drawn as animals. I liked the art which conveyed everything the author and her husband went through. The text is nice and easy to read. Overall this is a very moving story that is brilliantly done. I’m so glad I got the chance to read this.
Buy it
This is the intense but brilliant story of an infant in nicu after an early birth. I was outraged for the author when she was told by a nurse not to touch her baby for two days. Probably because it reminded me when my son was in nicu for a few days and was told I couldn't hold him. I was furious, so I could feel the authors pain. I loved hearing about the kind nurses and hated the incompetent ones. Hearing about some of the other patients families too was also moving. I liked how the people are drawn as animals. I liked the art which conveyed everything the author and her husband went through. The text is nice and easy to read. Overall this is a very moving story that is brilliantly done. I’m so glad I got the chance to read this.
August 24, 2017
Having worked in healthcare, I winced when the author first mentions that she had midwives. Another comments she makes about vaccines causing autism are not even based on medical fact. The story is of her traumatic experience with having a baby in neonatal care for an birth defect that the child may not recover from. I did not enjoy the story, or reading about her mentally unwinding during the experience. If you are going through a traumatic medical experience, sharing the details of that experience is imposing trauma on your readers. The graphic novel format doesn't work for the story either. It may have worked if this was journalism like Joe Sacco's books, but it is told from the mothers point of view which is not objective at all.
August 2, 2017
Spot 12 provides an intimate view into the extreme daily hardships of being a parent of a special needs child. The author also delves into how the experience affected her own mental health and how she struggled to overcome the grief, fear and anger she was hit with at every turn. However, despite the intense subject material, I had trouble truly connecting with any of the characters. The storytelling was very straightforward and sparse for the most part. Many passages intended to evoke emotion failed to do so because of this. Overall, though, it is still a fascinating read and can be enjoyed within the space of a few hours.
September 27, 2017
I found this book very interesting. Although the format is different than that of a novel I quickly got used to it. I appreciate the total honesty Jaeckel shares in her story. This book gave me a true feeling for what it must be like to have a child in the NICU for months on end with complications setting the release date back. Jaeckel shares the sheer terror she felt at times of the possibility of losing her child. This is a pretty quick read. I read it in two sittings. I highly recommend it if you want to get a realistic view of the emotional part of living with a child so ill in the NICU.
In the order of openness I did receive this book from Goodreads so I could share my honest review.
In the order of openness I did receive this book from Goodreads so I could share my honest review.
October 12, 2023
2/4. A visually gripping illustrated memoir, Spot 12: Five Months in the Neonatal ICU delivers the gritty details of a mother, a newborn, and a five-month stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). [amazon synopsis]
Why couldn't the author write the whole book as she wrote the epilogue? The story was gripping, but the one book form I cannot tolerate is a GN {I didn't pay attention to this fact when I reserved it at the library]. Too much technical stuff/terms. The illustrations were not appealing to me. IF I want to read a comic book, I will pick up a Little Lulu book.
2 because of the format
4 because of the gripping story
Why couldn't the author write the whole book as she wrote the epilogue? The story was gripping, but the one book form I cannot tolerate is a GN {I didn't pay attention to this fact when I reserved it at the library]. Too much technical stuff/terms. The illustrations were not appealing to me. IF I want to read a comic book, I will pick up a Little Lulu book.
2 because of the format
4 because of the gripping story
October 11, 2016
4.5 Stars
Wow very original book! This was a wonderful, sad, but encouraging story that will break your heart and warm it at the same time. I have always been a fan of graphic novels and have read quite a few. Its just a nice change from reading a full novel, its fun! I don't think I have ever read one that was a memoir and especially not about the birth and life of a baby with special needs. I loved that the author also included a lot about her own feelings and depression (not just about the baby) this really made it real for me.
I can see this book being used for parents going through the same problems with their newborn or really a newborn with any problems. This would also be a great tool to use to help your older children understand what is happening and what to expect when a new baby is going to be born and will need surgery or needs to stay in the NICU. This story is written simply enough for older children to understand.
I think it would be great if hospitals would have this book on hand to give to new parents who will be experiencing anything like this with their own babies. Wouldn't that be just wonderful?
I found this book very interesting and especially heartwarming. I also shed a few tears in a couple spots. loved that is was in graphic novel form - it was interesting enough to beginning with but this just made it more fun to read - different.
My favorite part was when she wrote her prayers for Asa on the glass window so the prayers could go up to the sky to God. I loved this idea!
I especially loved that the author put real photos of Asa and an update on how she was doing in the back of the book! This was a joy to read.
Thank you TLC Book Tours for sending me this book for my honest review!
Wow very original book! This was a wonderful, sad, but encouraging story that will break your heart and warm it at the same time. I have always been a fan of graphic novels and have read quite a few. Its just a nice change from reading a full novel, its fun! I don't think I have ever read one that was a memoir and especially not about the birth and life of a baby with special needs. I loved that the author also included a lot about her own feelings and depression (not just about the baby) this really made it real for me.
I can see this book being used for parents going through the same problems with their newborn or really a newborn with any problems. This would also be a great tool to use to help your older children understand what is happening and what to expect when a new baby is going to be born and will need surgery or needs to stay in the NICU. This story is written simply enough for older children to understand.
I think it would be great if hospitals would have this book on hand to give to new parents who will be experiencing anything like this with their own babies. Wouldn't that be just wonderful?
I found this book very interesting and especially heartwarming. I also shed a few tears in a couple spots. loved that is was in graphic novel form - it was interesting enough to beginning with but this just made it more fun to read - different.
My favorite part was when she wrote her prayers for Asa on the glass window so the prayers could go up to the sky to God. I loved this idea!
I especially loved that the author put real photos of Asa and an update on how she was doing in the back of the book! This was a joy to read.
Thank you TLC Book Tours for sending me this book for my honest review!
October 9, 2017
I won a copy of "Spot 12" through the Goodreads giveaway.
Let me first say that I thought some of the names for the characters was weird and that the title of nurse should have been spelled out instead of using the initial N. Also, a comment made by the character named Deer was extremely bizarre, "I love their fat little vaginas". Now, for the positive comments: I enjoyed the graphics and I felt invested to continue to read the story because I was concerned for baby Asa. This book can be used as inspiring tool for those families who are facing challenges with their sick newborn baby.
Let me first say that I thought some of the names for the characters was weird and that the title of nurse should have been spelled out instead of using the initial N. Also, a comment made by the character named Deer was extremely bizarre, "I love their fat little vaginas". Now, for the positive comments: I enjoyed the graphics and I felt invested to continue to read the story because I was concerned for baby Asa. This book can be used as inspiring tool for those families who are facing challenges with their sick newborn baby.
February 6, 2019
This is a very unique account of one family's experience of having a baby born with a tracheoesophageal fistula and the months spent in the NICU. Its creative and would be helpful to those encountering a similar stay for processing feelings of being out of control or struggling with post-partum depression. The reluctance to vaccinate an immune-compromised baby was disturbing to me, but she did mention that the doctors counseled her against it.
Thanks to goodreads for hosting the giveaway and Raincloud Press for the review copy!
Thanks to goodreads for hosting the giveaway and Raincloud Press for the review copy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2017
This is a heart-wrenching tale that is done as cartoons. It is a journey of love and survival.
I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. I am paying it forward by passing this book along to a family member who I think will enjoy it too. Someone whose goal is to go into the medical field. I hope it provides inspiration.
I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. I am paying it forward by passing this book along to a family member who I think will enjoy it too. Someone whose goal is to go into the medical field. I hope it provides inspiration.
November 28, 2016
I recently won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Having previously worked in a hospital, I believe that the NICU is truly a place where miracle happens. That is why this book interested me so much.
While the story was heart wrenching and compelling, it was difficult to read due to the graphics. I would have preferred just the words.
The book was emotional. I felt the pain of every decision and the parents' love for their child.
Having previously worked in a hospital, I believe that the NICU is truly a place where miracle happens. That is why this book interested me so much.
While the story was heart wrenching and compelling, it was difficult to read due to the graphics. I would have preferred just the words.
The book was emotional. I felt the pain of every decision and the parents' love for their child.
September 13, 2017
The art really worked well. A few parts were too "talky" but overall this is very good. It's enlightening just how much technology can and can't do in these situations, and how important it is to have a team of people to help.
The book deals with both physical and emotional/mental illness and mentions other babies dying in the NICU (her own child survives).
The book deals with both physical and emotional/mental illness and mentions other babies dying in the NICU (her own child survives).
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