Slant Of Sun A: Amazon.ca: Beth Kephart: Books

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The hardest part of being a parent is the certain knowledge that there are some things you can't control. When Beth Kephart's son Jeremy was labeled with the unsettlingly vague diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder (a behavioral disorder related to autism) in the fall of 1991, there were no definitive medical answers, no guidebooks to Jeremy's inner world, no maps to help Jeremy's mom and dad lead their boy back into the land of relatively uncomplicated childhood. Jeremy was a beautiful child who screamed whenever strangers came near him and spent long hours every day obsessively rearranging his toy cars into indecipherable patterns. He was an early talker, but by the time of his diagnosis Jeremy's speech had degenerated into mindless parroting--a condition known as echolalia. Jeremy's triumph over his disability and his journey to reintegration is the primary story of this beautifully written book, Kephart's first.

The other story, the more universal story, is the haunting account of the symbiosis between mother and child, which grows particularly intense when a child feels pain from which his mother cannot shield him. Kephart's fears that her own maternal failings are somehow implicated in Jeremy's problem stand out as the emotional core of this memoir. Her faith in her son, perseverance, and eventual acceptance of herself play as important a role in his healing process as any course of therapy--and her unflinching descriptions of her own healing are what make A Slant of Sun such a stunning debut. --Patrizia DiLucchio --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

At two and a half years old, Kephart's son, Jeremy, was diagnosed as suffering from pervasive developmental disorder, a condition that has some of the elements of autism. The child's speech was "atypical," he was terrified of contact with everyone but his parents and grandparents, and his life became characterized by certain behaviors that became obsessions. Because his situation was so anomalous, even professionals used to dealing with so-called exceptional children were at a loss as to how to cope with Jeremy at times. But the Pennsylvania-based author and her husband, Bill, after blaming themselves for the child's difficulties and encountering problems with experts, determined to deal with their son on his own terms and to modify his behavior without wrenching him away from his few interests, ranging from trains and cars to planes and trucks, and by letting him set his own pace when encountering other children and adults. They also chose his schools wisely, with the result that Jeremy now functions well in society at age nine. Freelancer Kephart conveys her frantic reaction to the original diagnosis, her furious desire to change conditions for Jeremy at once and her ultimate realization that a tangible, positive outcome was possible, given great patience. Kephart tells an affecting story of parental dedication.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Customer Reviews

34 Reviews

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4.7 out of 5 stars (34 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars BRIGHT SUNLIGHT, Sep 10 2000

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BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Slant Of Sun A (Paperback)

Beth Kephart's moving account about Jeremy's seemingly autistic behaviors and his condemnatory diagnosis is unflichingly honest. Bright and beautiful, Jeremy spoke early and made all developmental milestones within normal limits. However, shortly after turning a year and a half, his speech seemed to freeze in mid-developmental track and he began exhibiting rigid ritualistic behaviors. Luckily, the author had him enrolled in preschool and had early intervention specialists working with Jeremy. It is through this loving effort that Jeremy was able to detour the more traditional trappings of autism and enjoy a healthy, regular lifestyle.

I loved the stories Jeremy told, especially the one where he would "wait for the Red Baron." Beth Kephart, to her credit, joins Jeremy in this wishful flight of fancy.

I did get a little impatient with the author when she wanted to ram stories of her skating career down Jeremey's throat. Jeremy was antsy and did not want to listen to this seemingly long drawn out account. I liked it when Jeremy was interested in his great grandfather's car, a green 1969 Dodge Dart. (I love Dodge Darts and for me, the critical part of the story was answered -- the year and color of the Dodge Dart). Although that seems like a minor peeve, I did feel that the author just wanted a forum to brag about her skating and forced this story on Jeremy, ostensibly to help the boy increase his attention span for listening skills.

All in all, it was a delightful read. Jeremy walks in the Sun of Health and really is a bright light. I would highly recommend this book.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Bright Sunlight, Dec 29 2005

By A Customer

This review is from: A Slant of Sun: One Child's Courage (Audio Cassette)

Beth Kephart's moving account about Jeremy's seemingly autistic behaviors and his condemnatory diagnosis is unflichingly honest. Bright and beautiful, Jeremy spoke early and made all developmental milestones within normal limits. However, shortly after turning a year and a half, his speech seemed to freeze in mid-developmental track and he began exhibiting rigid ritualistic behaviors. Luckily, the author had him enrolled in preschool and had early intervention specialists working with Jeremy. It is through this loving effort that Jeremy was able to detour the more traditional trappings of autism and enjoy a healthy, regular lifestyle.

I loved the stories Jeremy told, especially the one where he would "wait for the Red Baron." Beth Kephart, to her credit, joins Jeremy in this wishful flight of fancy.

I did get a little impatient with the author when she wanted to ram stories of her skating career down Jeremey's throat. Jeremy was antsy and did not want to listen to this seemingly long drawn out account. One could feel the stridency in relating the skating glory story. I liked it when Jeremy was interested in his great grandfather's car, a green 1969 Dodge Dart. (I love Dodge Darts and for me, the critical part of the story was answered -- the year and color of the Dodge Dart). Although that seems like a minor peeve, I did feel that the author just wanted a forum to brag about her skating and forced this story on Jeremy, ostensibly to help the boy increase his attention span for listening skills.

All in all, it was a delightful read. Jeremy walks in the Sun of Health and really is a bright light. I would highly recommend this book.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Bright Sunlight, Dec 26 2005

By A Customer

This review is from: A Slant of Sun: One Child's Courage (Audio Cassette)

Beth Kephart's moving account about Jeremy's seemingly autistic behaviors and his condemnatory diagnosis is unflichingly honest. Bright and beautiful, Jeremy spoke early and made all developmental milestones within normal limits. However, shortly after turning a year and a half, his speech seemed to freeze in mid-developmental track and he began exhibiting rigid ritualistic behaviors. Luckily, the author had him enrolled in preschool and had early intervention specialists working with Jeremy. It is through this loving effort that Jeremy was able to detour the more traditional trappings of autism and enjoy a healthy, regular lifestyle.
I loved the stories Jeremy told, especially the one where he would "wait for the Red Baron." Beth Kephart, to her credit, joins Jeremy in this wishful flight of fancy.

I did get a little impatient with the author when she wanted to ram stories of her skating career down Jeremey's throat. That sounded boastful to me. You could feel the stridency of her demands that Jeremy sit through her skating story. Jeremy was antsy and did not want to listen to this seemingly long drawn out account. I liked it when Jeremy was interested in his great grandfather's car, a green 1969 Dodge Dart. (I love Dodge Darts and for me, the critical part of the story was answered -- the year and color of the Dodge Dart). Although that seems like a minor peeve, I did feel that the author just wanted a forum to brag about her skating and forced this story on Jeremy, ostensibly to help the boy increase his attention span for listening skills.

George Harrison's 1969 stellar gem "Here Comes the Sun" beautifully underscores this book.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great read
Unlike most books about autistic children written by their mothers, this mom doesn't offer the difinitive methodology for "recovery", no recipe for success. Read more

Published on Oct 29 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful insight, hopeful and profound
This book is a must read for parents of children finding their way back from the cloud of autism spectrum disorders. Read more