Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

Release Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: BEA

Summary

In her most powerful novel yet, Newbery Honor author Ann M. Martin tells the story of girl with mental/emotional challenges and the dog she loves.

Rose Howard has OCD, Asperger’s syndrome, and an obsession with homonyms (even her name is a homonym). She gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose’s rules of homonyms, is very special. Rain was a lost dog Rose’s father brought home. Rose and Rain are practically inseparable. And they are often home alone, as Rose’s father spends most evenings at a bar, and doesn’t have much patience for his special-needs daughter.

Just as a storm hits town, Rain goes missing. Rose’s father shouldn’t have let Rain out. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search. Rose will find Rain, but so will Rain’s original owners.

Hearts will break and spirits will soar for this powerful story, brilliantly told from Rose’s point of view. (courtesy of Goodreads)


Review

What a beautiful read. It's amazing to see how Ann M. Martin has grown as a writer since the days of the Babysitter's Club. Not that there's anything wrong with the BSC books - they're the most memorable and beloved books of my childhood - but fine literature they are not. I've read several of her recent novels, but I think this one is the best. It deserves to be a major contender for the Newbery award.

As the synopsis states, Rose is on the autism spectrum - what until recently would be categorized as Aspergers. Rose is socially awkward, has a hard time understanding deviations from the rules, obsessed with homonyms, and is easily overwhelmed by outside stimuli, resulting in emotional outbursts. The book is told from her perspective, which takes some getting used to. It's laid out very linearly (so much so that it feels stilted) and includes references to numerous homonyms in parentheses. The awkwardness of the story's structure oddly enhances the book. It is exactly how I would imagine Rose would tell a story and therefore makes perfect sense.

I assumed this was just going to be a simple dog got lost, girl finds dog story, but it has a lot more depth. It is a story of family trauma, of community suffering, of friendship (or lack thereof), and of hard choices. It is reflective of real life in that not everything is wrapped up with a happy little bow. There are many tears - both from Rose and from me.

Rose has a difficult family life, and a lot of the book deals with that. She has a single father who lacks the understanding or patience to properly deal with Rose or get her the extra help she needs. He is, in many ways, a lousy parent, but I also felt sorry for him. It's clear that he wants to be there for Rose. He wants to be better than his own abusive father. But circumstances and his own personal demons stand in the way. Luckily, Rose has a wonderful uncle who understands and cares for her in ways her father cannot. As difficult as reading the passages with Rose and her father were, I admire Ms. Martin for tackling an aspect of life many children deal with so well.

As one would expect, Rose has a very difficult time making friends. This is a great book to give a child who has an autistic classmate, because it illuminates her thought process so well. I feel like I would have been more understanding if I'd read such a book as a child. You can see that Rose wants to be liked and wants to be helpful, but her well-intentioned overtures of friendship don't typically go over well. But you also see how happy she is when she can make a connection, and also what she has to offer the other kids.

I finished this book last night. After sinking in for 12 hours or so, it's only improved in my mind. It does have a youngish feel to it, which takes some getting used to since I'm accustomed to YA and adult books. But the messages in the story and the emotions are universal. I think it's an important book for children and adults alike. Everyone who reads this will learn, be entertained, and be emotionally impacted by Rose's difficult and touching story.

Recommendation: Buy! Get thee to a bookstore and buy, buy, buy!

Here's How to Buy the Book! 

Amazon 

Barnes & Noble

Powell's Books (Support an Indie Bookstore!)