Neil’s sister Gerri has come back from the home for mentally challenged people and his mother is determined to never let her go back again. Gerri has never learned how to speak English, but she does often repeat what sounds like reindeer names to try to help get her point across. At night, she bangs her head against the wall, causing neighbors to make complaints to the landlord. Neil loves his sister and tries his best to help out, but his parents start arguing and Neil, who has never felt like he fits in, starts getting in trouble at school. When Neil’s dad moves out and pressures him to come with him, it doesn’t help the situation. But slowly, through the support of Neil and her mother, Gerri’s condition begins to improve. She learns a few words, the banging stops and she becomes more perceptive and thoughtful, charming the angry neighbors.

While it is nice to see Gerri improve, the book could be much better written. Children will not likely pick up this book on their own. ( )

This is the story of Gerri, the oldest daughter, who is brought home from her live-in school. She is special needs and her needs overhwelm the other members of the family as they try to deal with suddenly having her in their lives again. The story is told through her brother, who is very understanding for hte most part, but who suffers in school and with his friends because of the stresses of having his sister home. Ultimately, her presence unravels the fabric of the family.

This book was on the shelves as I was growing up, but I found it difficult to read. Later, as a grown-up, I picked it up again. It's an emotionally turbulent book that provides a lot of jumping off points to think about in relation to how you personally would deal with the situation, as well as how society deals with it, and the lack of understanding of how having someone in the family who needs special care can affect everyone around them. It's been a while since the book was first published (1978), and while some things have changed, a whole lot hasn't.

It would probably be a good book to begin a discussion with a child about special needs children, except that as a child I recall having difficulty getting into the narration of it. Probably slightly older readers would have a better time with it. ( )