Treasure in an Oatmeal Box: The Story of a Special Boy and the People Who Loved Him

by Ken Gire

The bittersweet tale of love, trials, tragedies, and triumphs of ten-year-old, mentally handicapped Kevin Hallas and his family.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

127 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Ken Gire is the author of more than 20 books, including "The Divine Embrace," "Windows of the Soul," "The Work of His Hands," the Moments with the Savior series, and the Reflective Life series. He has also co-authored "The Birthright" with John Sheasby. Two of his books have been awarded a Gold Medallion. A full-time writer and speaker, Ken is the founder of Reflective Living, a nonprofit ministry devoted to helping people learn how to slow down and live more reflective lives so they can experience life more deeply, especially life with God and other people. Ken is a graduate of Texas Christian University and Dallas Theological Seminary. He has four children and three grandchildren and lives near the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Monument, Colorado.

As a bestselling author, Ken speaks primarily on the subjects in the books he has written. In the past, he has spoken at such venues as Bill and Gloria Gaither's Praise Gathering, Billy Graham's Training Center---the Cove, Laity Lodge, Wind River Ranch, Young Life, as well as a variety of denominational and non-denominational churches. He has spoken in the church service itself but has mostly done church retreats. He is available to speak for large, public events as the keynote speaker or for smaller, more private events, such as leadership retreats. In all of his talks, Ken uses a variety of audio-visuals, such as film clips, and so the host would need to have the necessary equipment and someone to operate it. His messages can be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the venue. Since most of his speaking topics are from the books Ken has written, you can get a greater feel for his talks by first getting the book from Amazon.com, which carries both his in-print and out-of-print books.

Reviews

[Kirsten Manley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story, but found the writing style mildly trite in places. The last chapter is great for kids who are grieving. Several kids in my class have had deaths in their families this year, so it was applicable and I think helpful. It also prompted some good conversations about how we view and treat people with disabilities.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the first books that I read as a child, and I remember that it had a profound impact on me. It was full of heartbreak and sadness, but also some very precious messages about life in general and how we should be treating one another.

The story also hit home for me as I have a twin brother, and just thinking about the story from that perspective, as this could happen to anyone, just really was a lightbulb moment for me growing up. I really loved this one, and am happy that there are still people out there enjoying it.

[Sarah Flannery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put me through the ringer

[Jeffrey McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful, emotional childhood classic. I'm not ashamed to say I cry every time I read it.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author of our Dec/20 book club book attended our Zoom meeting (thank you Suzy Krause). One of the questions she was asked was "what is the first book that made you cry?". She said Treasure in an Oatmeal Box so I added it to my TBR list. I finished this book in one sitting.

Predominantly a children's book (although there are lessons for all age groups), this book was a quick, easy read - although the subject matter pulls on the heart strings. And, like Suzy, it made me cry.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You can't rush what the Lord's doing in a person's life any more you can rush a cake made from scratch. Some things just take time."

I remember my mom reading this books aloud as a kid. I knew it was going to hit some emotions, but it definitely hits differently as a parent in this second read. But a absolute beautiful story about a special boy and the people who were impacted by him. Quick read.

[Destini Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know what to say. This book drew me in from the beginning. I read it out loud to my daughter and husband in just a few hours. Couldn’t put it down. I don’t want to spoil anything but, this book made me cry like a legitimate baby. I had a hard time finishing reading it out loud. My husband grew up reading this book. I definitely recommend reading it with your children.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book to my third grader during the corona virus lockdown. He cried. Okay, so did I. A sad, sweet story that's a bit choppy but gets the message across all the same: people are beautiful, period.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried. And I don't cry reading books often, not to mention this was read in 4th grade.

I remember my class sitting in the library, listening intently as the our librarian was reading out of her chosen book like she did weekly. We had been trying to get through the story for three weeks and all of us were into it.

When our librarian read that the boy had died she paused to see our reactions. Our class, who usually interrupted to comment on everything sat there in stunned silence. I remember a knot in my stomach and tears threatening to come out like other girls who were already crying.

After ten seconds of silence and thought, one of the boy looks up and asks, "the doctors kidding right?"

Another boy looks at him and says, "why would a doctor kid about that?"

Then came the sad realization that not everything has a happy ending.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

All time favorite book! Whenever I am asked for a book recommendation this is always my go to. I have read it to 5th graders for 20+ years, and it's the book they most remember and continue to discuss years later. It's a story about patience, kindness, and love. Kevin, a special needs twin, reminds readers that all life is precious and to be valued. We have much to learn from one another when we are led by compassion and inclusion for all people. Ken Gire uses the Kevins of the world to show that our true treasures come from the relationships we build. Get ready for an emotional roller coaster ride that you won't soon forget!

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this book is a beautiful story about twins who go to a new school and the boy has a disability. He finds a puppy who I think reminds me of my beautiful but old black lab, who is a homeless puppy who is starving to death. He takes the puppy home and cares for it even while dealing with bullying at school and a sister who gets embarrassed by him. This book is an amazing example of perseverance and love of a boy and his best friend. Even though it is an easy book to read it is a very touching book....

[Sheila Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Precious story about ten year old twins, Kevin, who is mentally handicapped, and Kim, who is struggling to deal with being 'the normal one". Kevin is precious. He is so genuine, sincere, and positive that he touches everyone around him. This book has a tear jerker ending at Christmas time. Kevin was the real treasure because he enriched the lives of everyone. We can all learn a lesson from Kevin, look for the good in people and that is what we will find.

[Emily Seaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time...a kids book that is out of print now. :( It's about a girl and her handicapped brother and the challenges both of them face while growing up. Heartwrenching and I LOVE it.

[Caitlyn]

My best friend said it was really good and since she hardly ever reads anything, that means I gotta read it. She said it was really sad. :-(

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so sad. But really good. for Jane, John, Christian, and Leia, "it was wet wiwy wiwy wet." i know it is REALLY not WIWY but it is a joke.

[Leia-Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jill read this to us while camping on South Manitou Island!

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill read this to us while camping on South Manitou Island!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sad beautiful book that I read as a child. I have picked it up more than a few times since and it still always make me cry, big embarrassing sobbing type crying.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing story

[Susanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the very first book I ever cried to.

[Mick]

This was one I read and re-read as a kid. I went back to it as an adult... looking back, I didn’t remember that it was a religious book. And it was super problematic disability wise, but, it was written in 1990 (before the ADA even!) so that’s mostly a product of the time. I apparently really loved sad books as a kid, too.

[Manette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book emotionally took me by surprise. Very few books have caused me to cry like this one did. In one sitting, I read it aloud to an eight-year-old and twice had to stop to compose myself before I could read further.

It’s an incredible story about life lessons and grief. Life isn’t all fairytale happiness there are real challenges and tragedies that occur.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

My teacher read this in elementary school after lunch every day. It was a very emotional experience and gripped each of us. It's different to read it now, but it was nice to revisit a book from my early school days.

[Ava Blasberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

and I thought Bridge to Terabithia was a jerk move




(this is actually beautifully and thoughtfully written, I know I'm above the target demographic but the ending contains some very well-explained answers to the hardest questions and I'm going to make my kids cry through this someday)

[Through the wardrobe · Rating 5 out of 5]

INCREDIBLE

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books as a child!

[Oberonague · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have cried everytime I have read it. A wonderful read

[J Robinette · Rating 1 out of 5]

SPOILER:

If you wanted to kill the kid, why would you have him survive a bear? This was painful and gave me nightmares about my family dying. So thank you for the emotional trauma.

[Audrey Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably the first book to ever make me cry

[Jennifer Krol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that gutted me. Quick read.