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Home > News > Book Buzz > At Home in the Land of Oz by Anne Barnhill
At Home in the Land of Oz by Anne Barnhill PDF print email
Written by Virginia Freedman   
Tuesday, 23 June 2009 17:09

AT HOME IN THE LAND OF OZ: My Sister, Autism and Me  by Anne Barnhill 

 

June 2007, Jessica Kingsley Publishers;

Paperback Original, $17.95;

ISBN: 978-1-84310-859-7;

256 pages

 

 

With the CDC reporting that 1 in 150 children have autism, the condition and its symptoms have become well-known. In the sixties, when Anne Clinard Barnhill was growing-up, an autism diagnosis was rare and doctors were often unaware of the symptoms. Barnhill’s sister, Becky, did not receive the diagnosis of autism until she was thirty-seven. She was considered “emotionally disturbed” throughout her childhood. Anne watched her sister spend time in institutions where she improved, but was subject to questionable care and bouts of homesickness. Barnhill tells her story in AT HOME IN THE LAND OF OZ: My Sister, Autism and Me (June 2007, Jessica Kingsley Publishers; Paperback Original, $17.95; ISBN: 978-1-84310-859-7; 256 pages).

 

Throughout the book, Barnhill’s devotion to her sister is obvious despite embarrassing incidents and frequent frustrations over Becky’s behavior. Her parents carefully concealed their problems in order for Barnhill to have a more carefree childhood, though Anne struggled with her adolescence while missing and worrying about Becky. Her parents endeavored to find Becky the best care despite financial barriers and Barnhill demonstrates the family’s attempts using excerpts from her father’s letters to the state requesting aid.  Ultimately, AT HOME IN THE LAND OF OZ is a heartwarming and well-written memoir. Becky grows up and finds her own independence. Anne finds peace of mind knowing that her sister has found a place for herself in the world.

 

Anne Clinard Barnhill lives in North Carolina.  She has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and has published hundreds of short stories, features and reviews in a variety of newspapers and magazine.

 
 

Hat's Off!

Karen Paul Holmes had a poem, "Autumn Story", featured on Your Daily Poem on Oct. 3, http://www.yourdailypoem.com/listpoem.jsp?poem_id=509
 
She also read her poetry at the Decatur Book Festival (the largest independent book festival in the country) in Atlanta on Labor Day weekend and was the featured reader at the John's Creek, GA poetry meeting on September 25 and at NCNW-West's Coffee with the Poets in Hayesville, NC on Sept 8. 

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Upcoming Readings & Events

Sat, Feb 4th, @12:00pm - 02:00PM
Anne Clinard Barnhill Reading
Sat, Feb 4th, @1:00pm - 04:00PM
Rose Senehi Reading
Sat, Feb 4th, @1:00pm - 02:00PM
NCWN Wilson County Meet and Greet and Informational Meeting
Sun, Feb 5th, @2:00pm - 04:00PM
Megan M. Cutter Exhibit
Tue, Feb 7th, @7:00pm - 09:00PM
Alan Shapiro Reading