Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this memoir chronicles the author's challenges with dyscalculia, a learning disability that affects her ability to accomplish tasks related to sequential processing. This is a very personal and sometimes sad read, as the author expresses her many frustrations. But the book has little questionable content, and would be a powerful means of support for others, including parents and teachers, experiencing or wanting to learn more about learning disabilities.
Families can talk about LD, the different types, and the resources available to those with LD. Can you imagine not knowing how to schedule according to time? Why did a comment from a teacher, that she didn't look like someone with learning disabilities, bother the author so much? There can also be discussion of the means of support that helped the author: parents, teachers, counselors, therapists, and anti-depressants.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Pam Gelman
Most kids take the simple things they do during the day for granted, like giving a cashier the right amount of money to buy lunch, knowing you can chat for five minutes before the next class, or opening a locker easily. These are things that terrified Samantha Abeel. It's hard enough just wanting to fit in, but add to that a profound learning disability and any kid would want to be invisible.
MY THIRTEENTH WINTER gives a detailed account of Samantha's experiences during the school years, leading up to her diagnosis through college. It's a great resource of information and support for kids having similar experiences and ideal for readers who like books about teens overcoming challenges.
Life is an intense struggle for Samantha as she honestly describes. There are passages where she is clearly very depressed, having severe and painful panic attacks, and feels hopeless about her future. But she seeks help in the form of therapy and anti-depressants. She also has a strong support system that she utilizes including parents and teachers. The book ends feeling realistically optimistic about her future and happiness.
From The Book
It opened that time. But I wasn't at all relieved. No matter how many times we practiced, it never seemed to stay with me. I wondered and worried about what would happen when I didn't have time to mess up – when I couldn't rely on my mom for help. I was terrified of being embarrassed and desperate to retain my identity as a smart kid. Now I was even more worried. I definitely was not looking forward to the first day of school.
Plot Summary:
This memoir chronicles the author's challenges with dyscalculia, a learning disability that affects the ability to accomplish tasks related to sequential processing, making things like telling time, giving change, and opening a locker very difficult. Starting with her earliest memories of learning difficulties, the book continues to show the challenges on the road to her diagnosis at 13, her depression and panic attacks as she grew older, and her slow path to acceptance in college.
Related Books:
Samantha Abeel also wrote at age 15 an award-winning book of poetry called Reach for the Moon.
Schools and Discrimination:
My name is Brain Brian by Jeanne Betancourt
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
American Born Chinese by Gene Yang
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Sexual ContentMention of pregnant 13-year-old student. |
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ViolenceMention of kids who fight. |
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Social BehaviorOvercoming obstacles through support, love, maturation, and acceptance. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoMention of kids smoking cigarettes at school. |
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