Title: Unlocked
Author: Karen Kingsbury
Publisher: Zondervan 2010
Where I got it: Library
Why I read it: She's one of my favorite authors, and this book is tied into another book of hers.
Rating: 5+ Stars
Unlocked is about a boy named Holden Harris who developed Autism after turning the age 3. His parents think that he developed this after a series of vaccinations he got when he turned 3 because of the high level of mercury. When Holden was 3 years old, his parents were best friends with Sharon Reynolds and her husband, who had a daughter the same age named Ella. Ella and Holden were best friends. With Holden being a non-communicative autistic, he's locked into his own world. After Ella (who is in the "popular" crowd) sees the jocks and others bullying Holden, she decides to become fast friends with him (after a long time of not having one) and tried to end the bullying at their school. Ella comes to discover that there is something that will Unlock Holden from his own world --- Music. So Ella sets out to get Holden to be allowed to participate in their schools rendition of Beauty and the Beast.
This book is full of miracles, heart felt thoughts, ideas, and it's heart warming and heart breaking all at the same time. It's an amazing story, based on a true event that happened in Karen's life!!! This book will make you see that miracles do happen every day, and if you believe in God as I do, God works miracles every day too!!! You will find yourself hoping and fighting for Holden, hoping that he'll become Unlocked and that his family will get that three year old boy back again after 15 years.
I believe this book is a must read!!! Karen also has a series out called the Above the line series, which is a series about Christian film makers trying to make a difference in the world. In the last book of this series, they do a movie called Unlocked! Which is this book I'm reviewing now. How cool is that?
I suggest you run out right NOW and get this book!!!
I can't say I've read too much Christian fiction or anything like that BUT this sounds interesting to me because of the autism factor. I used to work with autistic kids so books tend to pique my interest if they have an autistic main character.
ReplyDeleteGood review! That's pretty cool that this ties in with her other series like that.
This is actually the first time she's written about an actual true event, or something that is so strong in today's world. This doesn't have as much Christianity in it as her other books do, so as a person who doesn't usually read Christian Fiction, or may not be a Christian, etc. I think you'd be okay reading this book in particular. It was definitely a good book. I've never really dealt with anyone with autism directly, but every time someone mentions autism to me, it reminds me of this one time I was at the County fair and this little girl was instantly drawn to me. She walked up to me, smiled, and took a hold of my hand. Her Mother came up to me and said, "I'm sorry. She's Autistic. We haven't seen her smile like that in a long time." I'll never forget it.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been a big fan of Karen Kingsbury for many years and I thoroughly enjoyed Unlocked.
ReplyDeleteThis is a stand-alone novel that I wish was part of a series – I enjoyed the characters so much I want more! The funny thing is that I usually complain about the way novels in series feel like unfinished books with too many loose ends. (shrug)
Anyway, I just posted more of my thoughts on this book on my blog at www.tracysbooknook.com.
-Tracy