Cowboy and Wills by Monica Holloway
Release date: 2009 / 276 pages
Synopsis (from front cover): The day Monica learns that her lovable, brilliant three-year-old son, Wills, has autism spectrum disorder, she takes him to buy an aquarium. It’s the first in a string of impulsive trips to the pet store to buy animals as a distraction from the uncontrollable, crushing reality of Wills’s diagnosis. But while Wills diligently tends to the growing menagerie, what he really wants is a puppy. And one Christmas, when Wills is six, Cowboy Carol Lawrence joins their family.
First line: “Wills Price is exeptional.”
Review: Such a delight this memoir was! I was very interested when Holloway contacted me to read and review her memoir since it addressed two subjects that interest me — the healing power of animals and autism.
I had no idea when I walked into my local humane society 17 years ago and picked out a silent border collie/pit bull mix just how much she would mean to me. Juno helped me survive losses like the death of brother and celebrate challenges like learning how to manage a classroom of 14 year olds. She is still going strong at 17, and I am so grateful she lived long enough to meet and fall in love with my husband right alongside me. Monica understands the power that our furry friends have to heal and support us and after I read the first few chapters, I couldn’t help but think that she and I could easily be friends. Her sense of humor and ability to reflect on her own short-comings, as well as her ability to unconditionally love not only her son, but the challenges that sometimes surround him, resulted in a fast-paced memoir I did not put down until the last page.
My interest in autism began while teaching high school. Throughout my 15 years, I saw an increasing number of students diagnosed with ASD and found my teaching style and personality was fortuitously complementary to this fascinating and complex perspective on life and social interactions. As an introvert, I found that the more structure and order I provided in my classroom, the better I was able to relax and enjoy the inevitable “chaos” that adolescents bring. Little did I know that this propensity for order and need for anticipation would make many of my students more comfortable and better able to learn, despite social challenges they may be facing. So, I read Holloway’s journey with her own autistic child with empathy and an outsider’s understanding.
Throughout my reading, I kept thinking of so many people who would love this memoir — friends who would appreciate Holloway’s sense of humor and Wills’ unique perspective on the world. I couldn’t help but imagine that as a parent I would approach Wills’ challenges in a similar manner — with animals and as much support as humanly (and inhumanly) possible. Watching Holloway and Wills cope and adapt was the true joy of this work, and Cowboy’s fluffy presence was simply a great bonus. I think any dog lover would love this memoir — and feel as convicted as I did that finding homes for unwanted dogs who populate shelters everywhere is the least we can do for our furry friends.
So, I strongly recommend this work and would love to pass it on to another interested reader. Dog lovers would be especially interested, but I think anyone would appreciate Holloway’s easy prose and fast-paced narrative.
This subject touches a place very near and dear to me, as my son has ASD and it has been quite a rough road. The schools never seemed to deal with or understand his needs and individuality. He is now 25 years old, so at the time he was in school, it was more mysterious. I would love the opportunity to win this book.
Thanks so much!!
As an educator who has been exposed to ASD on many levels of the spectrum with my students, I’d love the opportunity to read this memoir. Schools need to be sensitive to both the children and their families, helping them how to best deal with the kids’ needs. Thank you.
This sounds like a book I would enjoy: I love dogs, I am a retired teacher, and I have worked with special needs students who have autism. Thanks for the chance!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Your review–and being an owner of a rescue dog–makes me want to read and share this book with others. Thank you.
I have had very little experience with ASD, but I would love to read this book and pass it on, just as you’re doing, a wonderful way to spread awareness and understanding.
I would love to read this book as well as pass it on to my son and his girlfriend, two teachers who work with special needs children. The girlfriend works at a school specifically for special needs. I just finished reading a novel, “Marcelo in the Real World” about a high-functioning 17 year old and it was a wonderful book. I’d love to read this one too, so thank you for considering me.
I would love to share this book with my book club. Please add me!
Thank you,
Renee
I would love to read this book. I’ve been meaning to read more about Autism since a cousin’s son was recently diagnosed. I’m also a huge dog lover.
I would love to read this. Sounds good!
Reading your review I was very close to tearing up. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Would love a chance to win this touching memoir. And, truly, thank you for sharing your experiences both as a teacher and your personal trials. Hearing there are educators such as you out there very much heartens me.
I would love to read this book! I know we have patrons that would be interested, as well.
I’m so glad there is such interest in this lovely memoir. I hope I emphasized how purely enjoyable this was to read, too. Holloway is so likeable and funny — I was sorry when I turned the last page! Wish I had a copy to giveaway to everyone!
That sounds like a good book
I have hear a lot of good things about this book. Great reviews. Count me in!
I would love to read and share this book with my friend whose son has ASD.
I’m torn on this book. It sounds like a great story but I cry like a baby reading books like this. Please enter me – I’ll stock up on kleenexes! Thanks
Our book club is always looking for interesting reads and this book sounds like something we would enjoy.
This sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for the chance!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Children & animals often have such profound connections, that it makes a lot of sense that the right dog could reach a child like Wills.
Pingback: In Stitches: Review and Free Giveaway | BOOK CLUB CLASSICS!