This warm and informative book looks, feels, and reads like an actual journal. The cover mimics that of a black and white composition book, and the text is handwritten. The pictures even look like something a little boy would doodle. For families of children with Attention Deficit Disorder, this book does a wonderful job of describing symptoms and solutions in a child’s words and in a very accessible format.
When the book begins, Sparky is having a hard
time at home and in school. Even though he always means to behave, he can’t keep himself from twitching and wiggling. He also has a hard time sticking to just one thought. Sparky’s grandmother Nana is the only one who seems to understand. She tells Sparky that he is just too smart to focus on one thing at a time, and she loves his energy.
Sparky’s favorite time at school is recess, because he can run around and let some of his energy out. Other times, he gets in trouble for kicking the lunch table running into old women in church, losing or forgetting his library books, and sometimes even hitting other kids. The problem is, Sparky doesn’t realize what’s happening until he’s already done it.
His parents take him to the doctor for pills (Ritalin) that will help him concentrate
better. Much to Sparky’s relief, they start working on the very first day. Classroom noises like the gerbil’s running wheel don’t distract him from his
teacher’s voice anymore. Sparky’s
principal sets up a reward system with Sparky, so when he has a good week he can pick a prize out of the principal’s box. Sparky’s new counselor even tells Sparky that she has ADD, too.
With the love and support of his family, teacher, principal, and counselor; Sparky
learns how to better manage his behavior. He learns how to say nice things to people who hurt him. Instead of getting into a fight when a boy runs into him in the lunch line, Sparky acts nicely and the boy apologizes.
Even though this book only describes a week of Sparky’s life, it is full of hope. Whether Ritalin is the solution or not for a child suffering with ADD, this book puts forth numerous other behavior management strategies for kids, parents, and educators.