Review: What Color is Monday? by Carrie Cariello

Title: What Color is Monday?
Author: Carrie Cariello
Format: ARC
Publisher: Riddle Brook Publishing
Publish Date: April 22, 2013
Source: I received a copy of this book from the PR; however, this did not affect my review.

Why You're Reading This Story:

• You like memoirs.
• You love family stories.
• You're interested in autism.

What's the Story?:

From Goodreads.com: "One day last fall Jack asked me, “What color do you see for Monday?” as I heaved a chicken into the oven. “What?” I said distractedly, turning from the oven to slice some potatoes at the counter. It was late afternoon, and I was preparing dinner while also managing the demands of homework and tired toddlers. “Do you see days as colors?”

Raising five children would be challenge enough for most parents, but when one of them has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the adventures become even more fascinating. In this moving--and often funny--memoir, author Carrie Cariello invites us to take a peek into exactly what it takes to get through each day with four boys and one girl, and shows us the beauty and wonder of a child who views the world through a different lens."

My Two Cents:

"What Color is Monday?" gives readers an intimate look into one family's life with a child with autism. Carrie Cariello recounts her trials and tribulations with one of her sons, Jack, who is on the autism spectrum. As a family, the Cariello's are confronted with some issues but a lot of triumphs when it came to Jack.

This story isn't really focused on Jack's diagnosis or his specific "brand" (if you will) of autism. It is more how the family copes with it and finds a way to work with Jack in order to find something that works for the entire family. I did want to know a little bit more about Jack's diagnosis and some of the specific treatment that he was given but I really liked the overall message that through support and a lot of gumption and a heavy dose of family love, you can overcome most anything. It is definitely a message of hope for those who might has someone on the autism spectrum somewhere.

Cariello writes the book in a very conversational tone. She lays it all on the table for you. We get to see Jack's good days and his bad days. We get to see his triumphs and his setbacks. I really liked that Cariello included letters that she wrote to each of her five children on their birthdays. You can definitely see that Jack is lucky enough to have a very loving family.

I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested is what it is like to raise someone on the autism spectrum or who wants to know more about autism itself. As Cariello points out, there are many forms that autism can come in so Jack's story may not be like everyone else's experience but this is one family's story.