The Little Monster: Growing Up With ADHD

by Robert Jergen

Here is an autobiographical look at the effects that ADHD has on individuals, their family, friends, coworkers, and lovers. The Little Monster is a valuable tool for anyone who is touched by ADHD or similar conditions.

200 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2004

Reviews

[Ivy · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I could, I would give this book 2.5 stars, as it is better than "it was ok" but not in the realm of "I liked it".
Many times, I honestly wanted to throw this book out the window, and quit reading it. However, I forced myself to finish it, partly because I wondered if it would get better. I realize that the author has written an autobiography, but even still, it seemed a bit egocentric. Also, I found this book was written in a manner that was akin to high school level writing.
In my opinion, the author seems to have the assumption that all individuals with ADHD have the same mannerisms, faults and behaviors. Although, much of his descriptions of how it is to live in an ADHD mind are accurate, these assumptions are not what every individual with ADHD experiences. The author takes his experiences of ADHD and, many times, states that this is what occurs for "all" people with ADHD.
For those looking for a book that accurately describes the first hand experience of ADHD, this book is informative. However, there are better books out there that do a much better job, in my opinion.

[Dean Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Little Monster: Growing Up with ADHD was a hard read for me. For the same reason reading "The Short Bus" was hard as well. While I did not identify with much of the authors experiences having ADHD, I did identify with much of his experiences, and I was wincing along as I read. Having something that no one get's or understands or doesn't believe exists is difficult, and it's bittersweet having someone write a memoir that has similar experiences to you. Sometimes these are things you don't want to think about.
The authors mention of still having difficulties in employment and relationships was chilling for me. I think I wanted to see that "everything gets's better, result" but I think the result is meant to say "You learn to accept it, or not."

[Bridget · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this for the sped class I have to take.

Now that I've finished it... I wouldn't have finished it if I didn't have to read it. It gets two stars because it succeeds in its mission to convey what it's like to have ADHD, but only if you're Robert Jergen. I know several other people with varying degrees of ADHD, and they are not obnoxious, insufferable people, as Jergen claims they will be because of course, they have to be like him. They are loveable, wonderful people who happen to have ADHD. I've read other books chronicling individual struggles and stories of disability and they've been insightful, well written, and interesting. Jergen made me want to pull my hair out. The writing is mediocre at best and he only seems interested in giving example after tired example of how his disability gives him an excuse for every mistake he's ever made, however unrelated to the disability it may have been. Insensitive? maybe. But there must be better books out there than this for those interested in the topic.

[Mitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure there is a great book on ADHD. This one is pretty good. It's from a guy who actually has ADHD and is a succesful academic. He's tenured at UW-Oshkosh.

Book starts with some autobiography and then discusses his struggles in academia and some ways that he's managed to be succesful.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great experience to get inside an ADHD person's head. What they had to go through every day. However, towards the end of the book MY ADHD started kicking in so I don't know if it's irony or if it intentionally written like that lol

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is an excellent memoir by someone who grew up with (undiagnosed) ADHD and eventually used the symptoms to his advantage. Highly recommended!!