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Celiac Mom
Celiac Mom charts the course of one mother determined to keep her young daughter safe from gluten, a substance that is literally poisoning her.
As a two-year-old, Ann Campanella’s daughter barely registers on the pediatric growth chart, rarely naps and has intense stomachaches after eating. Doctors and well-meaning friends repeatedly assure Ann that Sydney will outgrow these issues. But at the age of five, Sydney finally receives a celiac diagnosis.
A noncook, Ann must figure out how to nourish Sydney and avoid painful gluten exposures. She reveals the ups and downs of creating gluten-free habits revolving around family and friends, holidays, vacations, school lunches, summer camps and more. In essence, the author learns how to upend a wheat-filled life in order to embrace a healthy future for her daughter and her family.
As a two-year-old, Ann Campanella’s daughter barely registers on the pediatric growth chart, rarely naps and has intense stomachaches after eating. Doctors and well-meaning friends repeatedly assure Ann that Sydney will outgrow these issues. But at the age of five, Sydney finally receives a celiac diagnosis.
A noncook, Ann must figure out how to nourish Sydney and avoid painful gluten exposures. She reveals the ups and downs of creating gluten-free habits revolving around family and friends, holidays, vacations, school lunches, summer camps and more. In essence, the author learns how to upend a wheat-filled life in order to embrace a healthy future for her daughter and her family.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2020
16 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Ann Campanella
10 books40 followersAnn Campanella is a former magazine and newspaper editor. She is the award-winning author of three memoirs and four collections of poetry. Her writing has appeared in newspapers, magazines, literary journals and online sites across the country and around the world, and she has been a guest on many podcasts.
Her first memoir, Motherhood: Lost and Found, named "One of the best Alzheimer's books of all time" by BookAuthority two years in a row, tells the story of her mother’s descent into Alzheimer’s at the same time Ann was trying to become a mother and dealing with a series of miscarriages.
After her book was released, Ann became a manager and director of AlzAuthors, an organization that represents hundreds of books about Alzheimer’s and dementia. In 2018, she was recognized by her hometown newspaper as one of the Most Influential Women in her community for her work promoting Alzheimer’s awareness.
Ann’s second memoir, Celiac Mom, takes her in a new direction. In 2001, Ann became a mother to her long-awaited daughter Sydney. A few years later, she learned that Sydney had celiac disease. Celiac Mom shares the story of a noncook determined to keep her daughter safe from gluten, a substance that was literally poisoning her. Ann reveals the challenges of upending a wheat-filled life in order to embrace a healthy future for her family.
Ann's new memoir, The Shoulder Season, shares her the story of her serious shoulder injury and how it transformed her life. BookLife calls this book, "a striking testament to the resilience of the human body and spirit."
Ann has a degree in English Literature from Davidson College and lives on a small farm in North Carolina. For more information about the author, visit her website at https:anncampanella.com.
Her first memoir, Motherhood: Lost and Found, named "One of the best Alzheimer's books of all time" by BookAuthority two years in a row, tells the story of her mother’s descent into Alzheimer’s at the same time Ann was trying to become a mother and dealing with a series of miscarriages.
After her book was released, Ann became a manager and director of AlzAuthors, an organization that represents hundreds of books about Alzheimer’s and dementia. In 2018, she was recognized by her hometown newspaper as one of the Most Influential Women in her community for her work promoting Alzheimer’s awareness.
Ann’s second memoir, Celiac Mom, takes her in a new direction. In 2001, Ann became a mother to her long-awaited daughter Sydney. A few years later, she learned that Sydney had celiac disease. Celiac Mom shares the story of a noncook determined to keep her daughter safe from gluten, a substance that was literally poisoning her. Ann reveals the challenges of upending a wheat-filled life in order to embrace a healthy future for her family.
Ann's new memoir, The Shoulder Season, shares her the story of her serious shoulder injury and how it transformed her life. BookLife calls this book, "a striking testament to the resilience of the human body and spirit."
Ann has a degree in English Literature from Davidson College and lives on a small farm in North Carolina. For more information about the author, visit her website at https:anncampanella.com.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 4, 2021
HEROIC GLUTEN BATTLE
CELIAC MOM is a warm heart-tugging memoir of one family’s 20-year journey of living with celiac disease. I love author Ann Campanella’s relatable style, told as if she and I were chatting over iced tea on a hot day.
SCARY SYMPTOMS
Her daughter Sydney had concerning digestive issues from the start. They caused fierce stomach pains, constant crying, short stature, endless hunger, and sleep deprivation.
DIAGNOSIS!
Ann knew something was desperately wrong despite what doctors and others told her. A correct diagnosis didn’t come until Sydney was five: Celiac disease, an immune reaction to gluten protein found in wheat, rye, and barley.
WARRIOR
With their world upended by a bread crumb, Ann became Warrior Mom, hunting out gluten in every food label, restaurant meal, school lunch, family celebration, summer camp chow, and play date nosh.
TOXIC
For even a tiny exposure — throwing bread crumbs to ducks on a family vacation — could make Sydney deathly ill. Ann and her husband were later diagnosed with gluten problems too, which forced the whole family to eat gluten-free. It was a heroic transformation!
RECIPES + RESOURCES
I so admired this family’s response to crisis. We see what it took for Ann, Joel and Sydney to overcome daunting challenges, and we cheer them all the way. The memoir also includes delicious recipes and an array of resources. A must-read for any person or family impacted by the disease, for those who want to provide support, and for readers who love beautifully written memoirs. Available now.
Grateful to the author for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
CELIAC MOM is a warm heart-tugging memoir of one family’s 20-year journey of living with celiac disease. I love author Ann Campanella’s relatable style, told as if she and I were chatting over iced tea on a hot day.
SCARY SYMPTOMS
Her daughter Sydney had concerning digestive issues from the start. They caused fierce stomach pains, constant crying, short stature, endless hunger, and sleep deprivation.
DIAGNOSIS!
Ann knew something was desperately wrong despite what doctors and others told her. A correct diagnosis didn’t come until Sydney was five: Celiac disease, an immune reaction to gluten protein found in wheat, rye, and barley.
WARRIOR
With their world upended by a bread crumb, Ann became Warrior Mom, hunting out gluten in every food label, restaurant meal, school lunch, family celebration, summer camp chow, and play date nosh.
TOXIC
For even a tiny exposure — throwing bread crumbs to ducks on a family vacation — could make Sydney deathly ill. Ann and her husband were later diagnosed with gluten problems too, which forced the whole family to eat gluten-free. It was a heroic transformation!
RECIPES + RESOURCES
I so admired this family’s response to crisis. We see what it took for Ann, Joel and Sydney to overcome daunting challenges, and we cheer them all the way. The memoir also includes delicious recipes and an array of resources. A must-read for any person or family impacted by the disease, for those who want to provide support, and for readers who love beautifully written memoirs. Available now.
Grateful to the author for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 12, 2022
Book Review/Book Recommendation
Celiac Mom
Author - Ann Campanella
Ebook
Genre - Memoir - Health - Parenting
Paperback - now available on Amazon.com
Ebook - release date 19th September 2020
My thoughts
Firstly I want to thank Ann Campanella for gifting me the E ARC of, Celiac Mom, in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first time I've read about a family who are dealing with Celiac. Yes, I knew what the word meant, but not actually to what extent it can do to you, physically and emotionally.
Ann's life consists of being a mother to her very precious daughter, Sydney. We, as readers are introduced to touches of Ann's life with a newly born and Ann explains through those period of years, the symptoms and tests that Sydney had to go through. Sydney was then diagnosed with celiac at the age of 5. We then get sneak peaks of what the family goes through after Sydney turns 5, right up to her teens, managing and muddling the throes of school camps, a disastrous prom night and the shaky start to college at the beginning of 2020.
With Ann being a horsewoman, I was so pleased to see Ann's horses from Motherhood: Lost and Found, Ann's other memoir about her mother having Alzheimer's, feature in Celiac Mom. Of course they were an important part of Sydneys life, as she loves horses as much as her Mom does and we travel with Sydney on the back of her horse. Sydney must have a natural gift when it comes to horses as in the book we hold onto our seats as Sydney lands herself in what could have been a dangerous situation.
This is told in a story form, a comfy memoir that's not too full of medical terms, (there are some), but then again, easy to read for young Mums and likeminded sufferers. Not only is this a memoir written by Ann, but written also on behave of Sydney who had to go through such a varied strange mixed set of emotions, especially not knowing the cause, I could imagine it would be quite horrific for her to go through.
I found this book very informative. I was extremely interested in how Ann, being the loving mother that she is, was determined to keep her little girl healthy, considering and Ann admits in her book, she was a non cook, so Ann was equally challenged to rise to the task.
At the end of the book there are some very easy recipes to try, (14 days of gluten free meals) which even admittedly to me being a non adventurous cook, I was very enthusiastic to read and hopefully I will try some, at some point in time. The recipes are easy and even those who aren't gluten free, like myself, can adapt these accordingly. Also included is a gluten free shopping list and I was absolutely pleased to see Yopliat Yogurt and M&Ms (plain and peanut) - both my favourites are actually gluten free and I didn't even know it.
.
Quotes I enjoyed.
They ordered plates overflowing with gluten delicacies—hamburgers with fluffy gluten rolls, French fries sautéed up in cross-contaminated oil, ketchup with modified starch (yikes!), chicken processed with wheat and grilled on a gluteny grill, pasta made of curly bits of gluten, sauces thickened with flour…I mean gluten.
.
Our family was suddenly on the wrong side of the fence, outside of a world we had once been a part of and thoroughly enjoyed. Now, we watched as a parade of our favorite foods marched just under our drooling lips on a regular basis.
.
Going gluten free helped me feel, for the first time in my life, that food was truly nourishing me rather than contributing to a general sense of malaise, and I began to feel free.
.
With years of experience and research under my belt, I have become the resident celiac expert in my home and among my community of friends.
.
Rating System
5 star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommendation
This comes highly recommended by me, and would suit any authors who were thinking of using a character that has celiac in their book, as Ann has a tremendous amount of knowledge that she shares with us. To any parent out there that has children with celiac as you will know of the trial and tribulations that are being faced. To anyone who wants to just learn more about staying healthy and to expand their knowledge, and anyone who love horses.
Celiac Mom
Author - Ann Campanella
Ebook
Genre - Memoir - Health - Parenting
Paperback - now available on Amazon.com
Ebook - release date 19th September 2020
My thoughts
Firstly I want to thank Ann Campanella for gifting me the E ARC of, Celiac Mom, in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first time I've read about a family who are dealing with Celiac. Yes, I knew what the word meant, but not actually to what extent it can do to you, physically and emotionally.
Ann's life consists of being a mother to her very precious daughter, Sydney. We, as readers are introduced to touches of Ann's life with a newly born and Ann explains through those period of years, the symptoms and tests that Sydney had to go through. Sydney was then diagnosed with celiac at the age of 5. We then get sneak peaks of what the family goes through after Sydney turns 5, right up to her teens, managing and muddling the throes of school camps, a disastrous prom night and the shaky start to college at the beginning of 2020.
With Ann being a horsewoman, I was so pleased to see Ann's horses from Motherhood: Lost and Found, Ann's other memoir about her mother having Alzheimer's, feature in Celiac Mom. Of course they were an important part of Sydneys life, as she loves horses as much as her Mom does and we travel with Sydney on the back of her horse. Sydney must have a natural gift when it comes to horses as in the book we hold onto our seats as Sydney lands herself in what could have been a dangerous situation.
This is told in a story form, a comfy memoir that's not too full of medical terms, (there are some), but then again, easy to read for young Mums and likeminded sufferers. Not only is this a memoir written by Ann, but written also on behave of Sydney who had to go through such a varied strange mixed set of emotions, especially not knowing the cause, I could imagine it would be quite horrific for her to go through.
I found this book very informative. I was extremely interested in how Ann, being the loving mother that she is, was determined to keep her little girl healthy, considering and Ann admits in her book, she was a non cook, so Ann was equally challenged to rise to the task.
At the end of the book there are some very easy recipes to try, (14 days of gluten free meals) which even admittedly to me being a non adventurous cook, I was very enthusiastic to read and hopefully I will try some, at some point in time. The recipes are easy and even those who aren't gluten free, like myself, can adapt these accordingly. Also included is a gluten free shopping list and I was absolutely pleased to see Yopliat Yogurt and M&Ms (plain and peanut) - both my favourites are actually gluten free and I didn't even know it.
.
Quotes I enjoyed.
They ordered plates overflowing with gluten delicacies—hamburgers with fluffy gluten rolls, French fries sautéed up in cross-contaminated oil, ketchup with modified starch (yikes!), chicken processed with wheat and grilled on a gluteny grill, pasta made of curly bits of gluten, sauces thickened with flour…I mean gluten.
.
Our family was suddenly on the wrong side of the fence, outside of a world we had once been a part of and thoroughly enjoyed. Now, we watched as a parade of our favorite foods marched just under our drooling lips on a regular basis.
.
Going gluten free helped me feel, for the first time in my life, that food was truly nourishing me rather than contributing to a general sense of malaise, and I began to feel free.
.
With years of experience and research under my belt, I have become the resident celiac expert in my home and among my community of friends.
.
Rating System
5 star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommendation
This comes highly recommended by me, and would suit any authors who were thinking of using a character that has celiac in their book, as Ann has a tremendous amount of knowledge that she shares with us. To any parent out there that has children with celiac as you will know of the trial and tribulations that are being faced. To anyone who wants to just learn more about staying healthy and to expand their knowledge, and anyone who love horses.
March 9, 2021
Celiac Mom is an in-depth, first person account of a family's 20-year journey of living with and mitigating the effects of Celiac disease. Not only is it the perfect resource for families trying to reshape their lives around the struggle, but Ann Campanella's engaging storytelling style is infectious and it pulls at every one of your heartstrings regardless of whether or not you've been touched by the disease. Poetic, beautiful, and triumphant writing makes Celiac Mom an absolute must read.
August 14, 2020
Ann Campanella is a storyteller and a poet and those talents come through in this sensitive, personal memoir about her daughter Sydney's diagnosis with celiac disease and her family's challenging gluten-free journey afterward. With a mother's intuition, Ann sensed for a long time that something was not right, but it wasn't until Sydney was five that Ann and her husband Joel learned that she had celiac. Ann shares her emotions so honestly as she searches for answers, and admits to feeling overwhelmed at first when trying to eradicate gluten from Sydney's diet. Her account is not only a captivating story of overcoming challenge, but also an informative source of options for anyone who might be undertaking a gluten-free lifestyle.
August 11, 2020
Celiac Mom is an open and courageous chronicle of the author’s battle to heal her young daughter from the devastating effects of celiac disease. After five years of trying to discern what was wrong, there is finally a diagnosis. The author then embarks on a journey to eliminate every trace of gluten in her house and in her daughter’s life. Her journey is honestly and bravely told in a narrative style that kept me turning the pages late into the night. This book is for anyone struggling with any health issue that requires dedication, courage and persistence.
October 11, 2020
I have celiac disease and could relate to many of the pitfalls and obstacles that Campanella describes while guiding her daughter through a gluten-filled world. Kudos to Campanella for becoming such a champion for her daughter's dietary needs. This is an excellent guide for family members who are grappling with a celiac diagnosis, and for skeptics to gain insight and compassion into what is a serious health condition. Campanella includes a handy section with recipes and resources.
December 15, 2020
First, I want to thank Ann Campanella for providing me with this book so I may bring this review to you.
Ann Campanella is a very brave and strong woman to open up and share her personal story of her young daughter's journey in Celiac Mom. Ann’s story is real, genuine and told from her heart. This book will inform you and educate you on all things gluten and things about Celiac Disease. Last but not least Sydney will pull on your heart strings with everything she went through.
This book is dedicated to Sydney and all of those who had to say goodbye to Gluten.
This is the story of Ann Campanella’s young daughter’s diagnosis of Celiac Disease. Having a GI disorder of my own and having to follow a certain diet for it I can empathize with all the testing she had to endure and the special foods she needs to eat.
Ann does an amazing job educating her readers all about gluten, what celiac disease is and how it affects her daughter’s body. This book is a great resource for anyone you know who has this disease or want to learn more about it to be supportive to someone who has it.
This is an incredibly interesting book where Ann writes about life before Sydney was born. We learn about her parents, their health, her health, what lead up to Sydney’s birth and after. All the revelations she had that lead up to Sydney’s diagnosis was interesting how it all tied in.
I loved that Sydney had a passion for her parents reading her books at night!
My heart ached to hear Ann’s Mom was suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Having had an Endoscopy myself I can’t imagine how scary it would be for a 5 year old to get one done! Sydney was very brave! I never got a Wendy’s Frosty after my procedure! She is lucky!
Transitioning into a gluten free lifestyle was not easy for them. However, it was worth it.
Ann included some amazing resources at the end of the book. There is a list of 14 days of Gluten Free meals to help you out with. Some of them look really good too. She also has some recipes from the professionals as well. Ann includes a list of helpful people, products and websites that you can check out in the back of the book as well. A great shopping list of gluten free foods are added as well.
Are you wondering what Ann, Sydney and Joel look like?! Ann has included a picture of the family!
Ann Campanella is a very brave and strong woman to open up and share her personal story of her young daughter's journey in Celiac Mom. Ann’s story is real, genuine and told from her heart. This book will inform you and educate you on all things gluten and things about Celiac Disease. Last but not least Sydney will pull on your heart strings with everything she went through.
This book is dedicated to Sydney and all of those who had to say goodbye to Gluten.
This is the story of Ann Campanella’s young daughter’s diagnosis of Celiac Disease. Having a GI disorder of my own and having to follow a certain diet for it I can empathize with all the testing she had to endure and the special foods she needs to eat.
Ann does an amazing job educating her readers all about gluten, what celiac disease is and how it affects her daughter’s body. This book is a great resource for anyone you know who has this disease or want to learn more about it to be supportive to someone who has it.
This is an incredibly interesting book where Ann writes about life before Sydney was born. We learn about her parents, their health, her health, what lead up to Sydney’s birth and after. All the revelations she had that lead up to Sydney’s diagnosis was interesting how it all tied in.
I loved that Sydney had a passion for her parents reading her books at night!
My heart ached to hear Ann’s Mom was suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Having had an Endoscopy myself I can’t imagine how scary it would be for a 5 year old to get one done! Sydney was very brave! I never got a Wendy’s Frosty after my procedure! She is lucky!
Transitioning into a gluten free lifestyle was not easy for them. However, it was worth it.
Ann included some amazing resources at the end of the book. There is a list of 14 days of Gluten Free meals to help you out with. Some of them look really good too. She also has some recipes from the professionals as well. Ann includes a list of helpful people, products and websites that you can check out in the back of the book as well. A great shopping list of gluten free foods are added as well.
Are you wondering what Ann, Sydney and Joel look like?! Ann has included a picture of the family!
December 27, 2020
Ann has been a dear friend, neighbor, and fellow walker for many years. This book—the story of a family’s reckoning with their changing dietary needs—was a compelling read, as it walked me through Ann’s life story and the way that food has shaped it. It’s helpful, too, as it helps us better understand our own relationships to food, making us better equipped to feed our families, and ourselves, the nourishing food they need and deserve—regardless of dietary restrictions.
June 9, 2022
Celiac Mom by Ann Campanella is beautifully heartwarming. The writing is absolutely top notch. I love the flow of her words and how she captures the tiny details and subtleties of everyday life. I love how she cracks open her heart and shows the emotions she's struggling with and overcoming at the same time.
This is a story of a mom who loves her daughter. At the age of five, Sydney is (finally) diagnosed with celiac. Campanella takes us with the family as they learn how to be gluten free, sometimes with great obstacles.
If you have struggled with this lifestyle change, if your friend was recently diagnosed or if you have a family member who battles this disease, please read this book. It is important to know what your loved ones are going through.
I'm personally gluten free because of autoimmune issues, but I have never experienced the complexities this family did. They started their journey when "gluten free" wasn't a norm, and Campanella had to champion for her daughter's health.
I do understand what it feels like to be on the outside looking in during wheat filled traditions. I feel seen and hugged by these words. It's awesome to read a book and connect with it deeply. We're left hopeful at the end.
My heart is full of gratitude and I am humbled by Campenella's strength in sharing her story.
This is a story of a mom who loves her daughter. At the age of five, Sydney is (finally) diagnosed with celiac. Campanella takes us with the family as they learn how to be gluten free, sometimes with great obstacles.
If you have struggled with this lifestyle change, if your friend was recently diagnosed or if you have a family member who battles this disease, please read this book. It is important to know what your loved ones are going through.
I'm personally gluten free because of autoimmune issues, but I have never experienced the complexities this family did. They started their journey when "gluten free" wasn't a norm, and Campanella had to champion for her daughter's health.
I do understand what it feels like to be on the outside looking in during wheat filled traditions. I feel seen and hugged by these words. It's awesome to read a book and connect with it deeply. We're left hopeful at the end.
My heart is full of gratitude and I am humbled by Campenella's strength in sharing her story.
November 1, 2020
An Eye-Opening Read!
As I made blueberry muffins today, with flour dusting me and everywhere else, I was humbled to remember that such dusting would have caused the author’s daughter to have inflammatory symptoms, as it was recounted in this informative book.
Changes and transitions in life rarely occur without a certain amount of angst and upset, as was certainly the case for the author and her family as they first sought an accurate diagnosis, then did all they could to ameliorate the symptoms associated with celiac poisoning - which indeed it was for young Sydney.
But this is also a story about love and the great lengths we will go to when caring for someone who is ill. Sydney has such wonderful models of enduring patience in her parents. My congratulations to the family, and to the author, for so carefully and thoroughly covering a journey from which so many will benefit.
As I made blueberry muffins today, with flour dusting me and everywhere else, I was humbled to remember that such dusting would have caused the author’s daughter to have inflammatory symptoms, as it was recounted in this informative book.
Changes and transitions in life rarely occur without a certain amount of angst and upset, as was certainly the case for the author and her family as they first sought an accurate diagnosis, then did all they could to ameliorate the symptoms associated with celiac poisoning - which indeed it was for young Sydney.
But this is also a story about love and the great lengths we will go to when caring for someone who is ill. Sydney has such wonderful models of enduring patience in her parents. My congratulations to the family, and to the author, for so carefully and thoroughly covering a journey from which so many will benefit.
Read
December 17, 2020With her latest release of Celiac Mom, author Ann Campanella takes her readers on a sensitive, and heroic journey as she relays her personal experiences in dealing with her daughter Sydney’s diagnosis of celiac disease. More than a memoir, this story is about trusting one’s own intuition when you know something is not right, not giving up no matter how overwhelmed you may feel and fighting for your child’s as well as your family’s well-being. Ann’s tale is eye-opening, captivating from start to finish and is a must read for anyone facing their own dietary health issues that they feel may be insurmountable. This is a story about courage, persistence and unconditional love. I highly recommend.
February 25, 2023
I loved this book for so many reasons! I loved how it was so well written but mostly I adored how Ann seamlessly took me on a journey of not only her life as the mom of a celiac but that of her husband and daughter too!!! A valuable prospective for those just newly diagnosed.
I was totally invested in this book! I was waiting for Sydney (the celiac daughter) to begin feeling better! I had moments of “Oh my gosh US TOO!” (myself and 3 children have Celiac disease) but I also experienced some emotions I thought were gone! I was thrown back to 2003 and remembering how hard it was to adjust. But Ann’s calm story telling reminded me …LOOK at US NOW! She expressed throughout the book a feeling if hope. Showing how this big life altering change, which affected every area of their lives, was SO worth it! I couldn’t agree more!
A true story of honesty, hope, and great healing!
I was totally invested in this book! I was waiting for Sydney (the celiac daughter) to begin feeling better! I had moments of “Oh my gosh US TOO!” (myself and 3 children have Celiac disease) but I also experienced some emotions I thought were gone! I was thrown back to 2003 and remembering how hard it was to adjust. But Ann’s calm story telling reminded me …LOOK at US NOW! She expressed throughout the book a feeling if hope. Showing how this big life altering change, which affected every area of their lives, was SO worth it! I couldn’t agree more!
A true story of honesty, hope, and great healing!
October 26, 2021
What a wonderful look inside a child's new medical diagnosis, through the lens of her mom. Chock full of experiences, emotions, advice, best practices. Highly recommended for those enmeshed in the complicated process of accepting lifestyle changes from initial diagnosis to ultimate empowerment.
September 13, 2022
It was a privilege to be a witness to the journey that Ann takes with her young, celiac daughter. Ann recounts the struggle to achieve Sydney’s celiac disease diagnosis and then how she goes on to care for and advocate for her.
Ann also speaks of the emotional imperative to adapt in ways that she does not feel are in her nature, from cooking to sleuthing for answers when things go wrong. She talks refreshingly candidly about the challenges she faces from within her family, as well as the resistance that she battles within herself, having to single-handedly meet her daughter’s every food need.
In this way, 'Celiac Mom' is not one, but two poignantly interwoven stories that will touch readers on many levels, in language that is accessible to parents and young adults alike.
Ann gives insight into the loneliness of the gluten-free diet for her daughter and as a family. Not being able to give voice to that sadness because she is always having to speak up for her daughter’s safety is an emotional rollercoaster that Ann faces with courage and self-compassion. Having endured those conflicting emotions myself, I found this facet of Ann’s book especially healing.
Over the course of the book and Sydney's adolescence, Ann prevails. Together, they find friends and other celiac families who understand, and with their support, transcend the disease and move beyond it.
‘Celiac Mom’ is testimony that ultimately, there is life both because of the gluten-free diet - and in spite of the gluten-free diet.
The following practical highlights will be meaningful to celiac families:
- first clues that there might be something wrong
- age of diagnosis
- support for celiac families at that time
- first steps to going gluten free
- putting a focus on cooking
- how friends and family reacted
- moving from a traditional school to a small private school to home-schooling back to a traditional school
- 3 years of sending Sydney to summer camp
- finding friends – as a parent and as a celiac child
- navigating family vacations & holiday travel
- possible remission in adolescence
- reactions to gluten return
- daughter as a young adult, preparing for college
- could there be celiac disease in extended family
'Celiac Mom’ is a real companion for anyone who is walking this path.
Ann, thank you for so honestly sharing your journey and for passing your experiences forward to families who may be only just beginning theirs.
If you, your child, or someone you love has been diagnosed with celiac disease, order or download a copy of 'Celiac Mom’ today!
Ann also speaks of the emotional imperative to adapt in ways that she does not feel are in her nature, from cooking to sleuthing for answers when things go wrong. She talks refreshingly candidly about the challenges she faces from within her family, as well as the resistance that she battles within herself, having to single-handedly meet her daughter’s every food need.
In this way, 'Celiac Mom' is not one, but two poignantly interwoven stories that will touch readers on many levels, in language that is accessible to parents and young adults alike.
Ann gives insight into the loneliness of the gluten-free diet for her daughter and as a family. Not being able to give voice to that sadness because she is always having to speak up for her daughter’s safety is an emotional rollercoaster that Ann faces with courage and self-compassion. Having endured those conflicting emotions myself, I found this facet of Ann’s book especially healing.
Over the course of the book and Sydney's adolescence, Ann prevails. Together, they find friends and other celiac families who understand, and with their support, transcend the disease and move beyond it.
‘Celiac Mom’ is testimony that ultimately, there is life both because of the gluten-free diet - and in spite of the gluten-free diet.
The following practical highlights will be meaningful to celiac families:
- first clues that there might be something wrong
- age of diagnosis
- support for celiac families at that time
- first steps to going gluten free
- putting a focus on cooking
- how friends and family reacted
- moving from a traditional school to a small private school to home-schooling back to a traditional school
- 3 years of sending Sydney to summer camp
- finding friends – as a parent and as a celiac child
- navigating family vacations & holiday travel
- possible remission in adolescence
- reactions to gluten return
- daughter as a young adult, preparing for college
- could there be celiac disease in extended family
'Celiac Mom’ is a real companion for anyone who is walking this path.
Ann, thank you for so honestly sharing your journey and for passing your experiences forward to families who may be only just beginning theirs.
If you, your child, or someone you love has been diagnosed with celiac disease, order or download a copy of 'Celiac Mom’ today!
August 2, 2021
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Celiac Mom: One family's gluten-free journey after a daughter's diagnosis
Author: Ann Campanella
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers:
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 17 readers:
17 would read another book by this author.
17 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘clarity of message’.
17 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I'm gluten intolerant myself, so I really understood what this mother and her daughter went through. I recently visited a restaurant which accidentally gave me normal bread and not the gluten free bread I ordered. They informed me - after I'd eaten it - as if it was no big deal. Which, I guess, it isn't for them. But what they don't understand is that they poisoned me and I was ill for a week after. Any books that highlight gluten and what discomfort it can cause for some people, has my blessing.” Female reader, aged 48
“I thought this was a compelling book, honestly written as her mother attempts to provide her child with the food she needs. I'd recommend this to anybody who is gluten intolerant or suspect that they might be.” Male reader, aged 57
“This should not only be read by people who are gluten intolerant, but it should also be read by anybody and everybody in the food industry so they understand how dangerous gluten can be for some people. Only by educating them, will they understand. This is well-written, accessible, and has a very honest feel to it.” Female reader, aged 33
To Sum It Up:
‘A fascinating insight into a mother’s attempts to keep her daughter safe from gluten. A finalist and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Celiac Mom: One family's gluten-free journey after a daughter's diagnosis
Author: Ann Campanella
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers:
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 17 readers:
17 would read another book by this author.
17 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘clarity of message’.
17 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I'm gluten intolerant myself, so I really understood what this mother and her daughter went through. I recently visited a restaurant which accidentally gave me normal bread and not the gluten free bread I ordered. They informed me - after I'd eaten it - as if it was no big deal. Which, I guess, it isn't for them. But what they don't understand is that they poisoned me and I was ill for a week after. Any books that highlight gluten and what discomfort it can cause for some people, has my blessing.” Female reader, aged 48
“I thought this was a compelling book, honestly written as her mother attempts to provide her child with the food she needs. I'd recommend this to anybody who is gluten intolerant or suspect that they might be.” Male reader, aged 57
“This should not only be read by people who are gluten intolerant, but it should also be read by anybody and everybody in the food industry so they understand how dangerous gluten can be for some people. Only by educating them, will they understand. This is well-written, accessible, and has a very honest feel to it.” Female reader, aged 33
To Sum It Up:
‘A fascinating insight into a mother’s attempts to keep her daughter safe from gluten. A finalist and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
May 27, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book over all-it is a very good account of the mother’s experiences raising her daughter with Celiac and accounting for experiences before and after her diagnosis. It mirrored so many of the emotions I’ve been experienced prior to my 3 year old daughter’s diagnosis and in the months after diagnosis. It is often an alienating disease and reading a book that hits so close to home reminds you you’re not experiencing the highs and lows on your own.
The only reason for the 4 stars is that some of the experiences she shared seemed rather repetitive and predictable. Otherwise, the author’s writing style is captivating and it was a page turner.
The only reason for the 4 stars is that some of the experiences she shared seemed rather repetitive and predictable. Otherwise, the author’s writing style is captivating and it was a page turner.
December 27, 2023
For any family raising a child with celiac disease, this book is a gift. I felt connected to the author and her daily struggles. Terrific resource
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews