Finding Ninee » Sharing our parenting and special needs stories with heart and humor.

Rubber Band Girl. A book review. And a give-away! Whee!

The girl with the wingspan.  You know, like Michael.  (ah I do love me some Michael)

You guys know that I am not a usually a reviewie gal.  But when there’s a book involved, and it’s a memoir, and the kid has special needs…how can I resist?  The good news for you is that not only did I receive Rubber Band Girl to read, I was given one to give to you.  Of course, this happened in January and it took me this long to get around to it, but we’re all okay with that.  Right?

So here goes.  I’m doing a give-away.  And a review.  Want to win a copy of the book “Rubber Band Girl” by Jennifer Nielson?  Trust me when I say that it’s worth it and that I probably shouldn’t be allowed to review books at all.  I am hyper-critical.  Which is really stupid considering I am working on many of my own.

Lightening up now!  Leave me a comment here and you’re entered to win.  Please specify if you’re commenting and do NOT want to be entered.  Yeah, I could get one of those fancy “click here and here and here and here and here again and you’ll be entered to win more often” widgetitythings, but I think they’re ugly.  Okay fine, I am way too lazy to figure that out.  True.  But I still think they’re ugly.  So if you want to win, just leave a comment by Sunday, March 31, and you’ll be entered in an old-fashioned draw-a-name-out-of-a-hat thing.  What.  I’m old.  You are cooler than me.  And I’m fine with that, give-away-people.  Seriously.  Anyway.

Here’s my review.

Rubber Band Girl is a heartfelt memoir written from a mother’s perspective about raising her daughter Hadley who has Marfan Syndrome.  Marfan Syndrome, commonly referred to as “rubber band syndrome” affects people differently.  Well duh.  Look at Tucker.  Look at autism.  Look at all of us affected with humanism.  We are all different.  And the more I know about syndromes, the more I know that they manifest themselves as differently as rainbows do.

Marfan Syndrome is most obviously diagnosed due to excessive height but also affects ligaments, the organs, leads to severe vision problems and usually causes extreme joint flexibility.  It can be fatal as there are often heart issues. In “Rubber Band Girl,” Hadley’s heart issues caused her to refrain from her beloved sports for years while also silently threatening her life.  Jennifer, Hadley’s mother, tells her daughter’s story with strength, faith, and a positive attitude for the future while also admitting to things that I’d likely never admit.  Like the time toddler Hadley was run over.  And the time she managed to escape her car-seat to drive down the block.  So yeah, it’s honest.  And I appreciate that.  A lot.

I’d say that for all parents, especially special needs parents, that the book is definitely worth reading.  I’m glad that I read it and encourage you to do the same. I think it’s worth it.

RubberBandGirl

Excerpt:  “Where is Godzilla?” asked one of our neighbors. I stopped in my tracks. I was carrying a handful of treats to the table for our neighborhood picnic at the park, where we often gathered for potluck dinners and dessert. Now that she was a gregarious toddler, Hadley loved being with her friends—they would run and play for hours. As soon as we arrived she was off, scurrying away in her favorite red-and-white gingham dress with her little posse.

“Excuse me?” I responded, certain that I must have misunderstood my neighbor’s inquiry.

She asked again, this time with a chuckle in her voice, “Where is Godzilla . . . you know, Hadley?” I could hardly believe my ears. And from an adult, no less.

“Godzilla?!” I said with disgust, summoning all my power to restrain the mother bear inside me from attacking. I walked away, stunned and speechless. With the blood boiling inside me, I sought out a bench away from everyone; this get-together had suddenly lost its allure.

As I sat alone, I heard the children giggling and screaming all around me. I heard a little voice shout, “Watch me, Mommy!” I turned in the direction of the voice and saw Hadley being pushed on a swing by her dad, enjoying herself without a care in the world.

“Hadley is going to be okay,” I reminded myself. Between her frequent visits to the doctor and unusual accidents, it was a mantra that I found myself reciting often.

—-

Note – Because I’m an asshole, I will also say that it is not my favorite book of all time.  Because it wasn’t.  But that doesn’t mean it won’t be yours.  And it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read it.  It just means that it’s pretty rare that I actually LOVE a book.   Which is why I have multiple books of my own sitting unpublished.  I’ve likely read 26,000 books.  No exaggeration.  To say that nine are in my favorites and that 35 are in my recommended is also not an exaggeration.  Just so you’re clear.  I’m super picky.  You should still totally read this because my memoior?  Sitting in a dusty file doing nothing.


  • Janine Huldie - Totally loved your candid review and even telling us this wasn’t your favorite book, but totally worth reading. I think that comment alone sold me on it and please do enter me in the contest for a free copy!! Great review Kristi and thanks for sharing!! 🙂March 25, 2013 – 8:24 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Entered and thank you!March 28, 2013 – 7:37 amReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. - I love how you said that thing about us all being affected by humanism. Awesome. So, should I read it? If you think I should, enter me, girlfriend. I love to win shit.

    You should try Rafflecopter for a giveaway, then you can have people get more points for various things, like tweeting about the giveaway or following you.

    Except maybe don’t, since I still have no f-ing clue how and when they pick the winner from my giveaway. Do they email me? Do I have to do something? Hell if I know.March 25, 2013 – 9:22 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Are you trying to influence me to do an unfair giveaway? With a bribe of your book? MMmhhmmmm??? And yeah, I probably won’t do enough giveaways to worry about how to figure out Rafflecopter or whatever. Lazy. Tired. Lazy. Dumb. Oh and tired.March 28, 2013 – 7:38 amReplyCancel

  • Kerri - I am one of those sickos that MUST have a book, any book, even a book I have previously read, on hand at all times. I just put out a plea on Facebook for a recommendation. So definitely put me in your raffle.March 25, 2013 – 11:25 amReplyCancel

    • admin - You’re in it!March 28, 2013 – 7:38 amReplyCancel

  • Kim Pugliano @the G is silent - I LOVE to review books, because I DO tell it like I see it and often there is a true gem that I get to gush all over. Put me in, because I might like it differently than you. I do have special needs in my nephew and my son has a myriad of diagnoses like mine (OCD/anxiety, etc.) which cause their own problems but I don’t have a child with an open-ended diagnoses. I guess my nephew is open-ended, but it’s hard to say because he’s as smart as a whip (smarter than his brother or cousin were at his age) but his disorder is 1/100 in the world, so…

    Long story short (hahaha!!!) please put my name in the hat (is it a cute hat?).March 25, 2013 – 4:43 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Is it a cute hat. You are so awesome. It’s an adorable hat. If you’re a dork like me. 😀March 28, 2013 – 7:39 amReplyCancel

  • Jane - I would love to read this book. So yes! put my name in the hat! Aaaaand, your review brought smiles….March 28, 2013 – 12:51 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Thanks, Jane! You’re entered!March 28, 2013 – 7:29 amReplyCancel

  • Jennifer Nielson - Kristi,
    I have to tell you out of all the book reviews I’ve received, yours is my favorite yet! I keep chuckling everytime I think about it. I love how candid & straightforward you are. I obviously do not want to be in the drawing but I’m definitely glad I was connected with your blog! I will keep visiting! Hey, I think out of 26,000 books, I’m thinking my book did pretty well! Thanks again!March 28, 2013 – 12:53 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Wow, what an honor to wake up this morning feeling like a jerk that I haven’t published another blog post since doing this review and getting a comment from THE AUTHOR of the only book I’ve ever done a review for here. Seriously, I’m jumping up and down in my desk chair a little bit because I’m that excited. Thank you so much for commenting and for having the guts to publish your memoir. Seriously. Memoirs are hard to write. Well, for me anyway. You obviously figured that stuff out. So humbled that you found this. And thank you.March 28, 2013 – 7:32 amReplyCancel

  • Misty @ Meet the Cottons - is it strange that i haven’t read a memoir, like, ever? oh, wait. do the books by chelsea handler count as memoirs? no need to enter me in the drawing! just wanted you to know i’m still out here reading your stuff! i’d probably read your memoir, though!March 28, 2013 – 3:35 amReplyCancel

    • admin - haha thanks, Misty! And LOOK. The actual author commented here. How awesome is that? And I don’t think that Chelsea counts as a memoir but I love whichever book it was of hers that started out saying how much she was in love with herself when she learned how to masturbate – that was some funny shiz. Oh and how sad is it that I don’t know how to spell “masturbate?” Sad.March 28, 2013 – 7:37 amReplyCancel

  • Rachel - I just can’t abide by this review and here’s why. I did not get to appreciate any of your fine artistic renderings in it! Although, I loved the note at the end, asshole (kidding, sweetheart). Not interested in the drawing (ummm, but interested in YOUR drawings, just not THE drawing).March 28, 2013 – 12:11 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Ah Rachel! I love that you love my shit drawings! Give me a request, and I’ll badly draw something just for you. You can post it on your blog and everything, all exclusive-like.March 28, 2013 – 8:54 pmReplyCancel

  • Lori - I love your review and it certainly piqued my interest in the book! As a mom of three distinctly unique humans, with & without disorder labels, I believe I would enjoy this read! Please enter me & thanks for your comments!March 28, 2013 – 7:30 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Hi Lori,
      Thanks for visiting! Consider yourself entered. I’ll draw names Sunday. Maybe Monday…March 28, 2013 – 8:55 pmReplyCancel

      • admin - By the way, I finally did the drawing and you wonApril 7, 2013 – 11:58 pmReplyCancel

  • Linda Atwell - Out One Ear - I love reading memoirs–especially since I’m writing one. You need to get busy though and finish yours. I’m sure it will be super fantastic! My manuscript is finally ready to market to editors/publishers and I’ve been sending out queries. I just wish I knew someone who knew an editor/publisher that liked memoirs! That would make my job easier. I’d love to read this book. Thanks for reviewing!March 28, 2013 – 11:54 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Linda, I can’t wait to read your memoir! I will buy it for sure, so count me as your first customer. And yeah, I hear you on finding publishers who want to read your stuff. It’s hard. When I first researched it, I got really discouraged reading that most publishers would rather shave a cat than read another memoir. But they’re obviously out there, because there are a lot of memoirs! Keep on looking…March 30, 2013 – 10:11 amReplyCancel

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