Megan’s Comments (group member since Oct 18, 2015)

Megan’s comments from the Rain Reign group.

It was written from a unique perspective that such a young girl had such an awareness over her disability. The internal dialogue was my favorite - I have a feeling I'm going to start noticing and stating homonyms in my day to day life.

Janet wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Janet wrote: "Maybe but I also wondered about his own upbringing. It was mentioned a few times. He had a lot of anger. Why didn't Uncle Weldon if they were raised in the same house?"..."

He could have been a totally different man. It must have been hard for him to raise a girl with Autism on his own. It didn't seem like he had many outside resources or education to help him... He was more focused on Rose getting in trouble at school than for advocating for her.

Ally wrote: "What did everyone think about how Mrs. Kushel helped Rose?"

I'm glad she came through for Rose - even though you could tell she was holding her tongue sometimes, she was very patient under the circumstances.

Ashley wrote: "It's also written from the perspective of a boy with autism and an obsession with prime numbers...and a mystery about a dog...and his relationship with his dad. It received a lot of recognition whe..."

Thanks for the recommendation!

Ashley wrote: "Has anyone read the book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" by Mark Haddon?"

I haven't... what is it about? Or do you recommend it?

Ashley wrote: "I am curious to know if any of you have someone close to you who is "on the spectrum." I have a teenaged cousin with Aspergers and she has really struggled in her family life...to the point that sh..."

Interesting connection between your cousin and horses, and Rose and Rain.... perhaps animals are easier to connect with, and easier to show affection to for some people with Autism...

One reason I asked this question is because my 26 year old cousin has Asperger's Syndrome. He has struggled to hold jobs, build relationships with peers, and hold conversation even with close family. Some of the ways Rose was portrayed reminded me a lot of my cousin, but other parts, not so much. I suppose that there are many qualities and variations with Autism..

Janet wrote: "Maybe but I also wondered about his own upbringing. It was mentioned a few times. He had a lot of anger. Why didn't Uncle Weldon if they were raised in the same house?"

I hadn't thought of this... I was glad that Uncle Weldon didn't ever cower to Rose's father. Uncle Weldon didn't have nearly any of the same qualities as the father. I was really glad that Rose had someone like him in her life. No one else, not even her teachers or para, were as patient, loving, and accepting of Rose and all her quirks.

I have already recommended this book to a few people, and am using it as part of my Inquiry Project. I agree that this book is deserving of awards. Great perspective, dialogue, plot twists, etc... I was hooked the entire time..

I really enjoyed this book - Reading Rose's internal dialogue was fascinating; and the way she would explain her understanding of the world was curious and raw. The obsession with numbers and homonyms was actually a unique addition to the book - reminded me of Rainman in a way..

Ally wrote: "Megan wrote: "Rose's fathers frustration was real. I listened to the audiotext version of the book and got chills sometimes when he spoke or responded to Rose. I think Uncle Weldon would be more pa..."

Ally - at first I was really put-off by the mono-tone nasally way in which the narrator spoke. But after a while, it really became part of Rose's character and made her believable. I definitely think it was a conscious decision to speak that way.

The author's portrayal of Autism/Asperger's was fascinating. From your experience with students, family, friends, or people you know, was it a honest portrayal? Did Rose's teacher and para interact with Rose well?

It seemed like it was an easy way to place blame.

Rose's fathers frustration was real. I listened to the audiotext version of the book and got chills sometimes when he spoke or responded to Rose. I think Uncle Weldon would be more patient and understanding to Rose as she grows up.