Only Child

A novel

By: Rhiannon Navin

Narrated by: Kivlighan de Montebello

“Only Child triumphs. Zach, at only 6 years old, understands more about the human heart than the broken adults around him. His hope and optimism as he sets out to execute his plan will have every reader cheering him on, and believing in happy endings even in the face of such tragedy. . . . Navin manages to make Zach’s voice heartbreakingly believable.”—Ann Hood, The Washington Post

“Perfect for fans of Room… a heartbreaking but important novel.” —Real Simple

Readers of Jodi Picoult and Liane Moriarty will also like this tenderhearted debut about healing and family, narrated by an unforgettable six-year-old boy who reminds us that sometimes the littlest bodies hold the biggest hearts and the quietest voices speak the loudest.

Squeezed into a coat closet with his classmates and teacher, first grader Zach Taylor can hear gunshots ringing through the halls of his school. A gunman has entered the building, taking nineteen lives and irrevocably changing the very fabric of this close-knit community. While Zach's mother pursues a quest for justice against the shooter's parents, holding them responsible for their son's actions, Zach retreats into his super-secret hideout and loses himself in a world of books and art. Armed with his newfound understanding, and with the optimism and stubbornness only a child could have, Zach sets out on a captivating journey towards healing and forgiveness, determined to help the adults in his life rediscover the universal truths of love and compassion needed to pull them through their darkest hours.

Narration that makes you unable to stop listening.

Some may think based on the plot summary that this story is a tearjerker just sensationalizing tragedy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Kivlighan de Montebello's narration is so unbelievably natural that it pulls you immediately into the story. I could not stop listening. Just when you think you know all sides of a tragedy - the simplistic viewpoint of a child, can make you see things from the the third side, which is often forgotten.

just so so...expected more based on reviews

Narrated in the voice of a 6 year old and that got really annoying for me. Not nearly as deep and thought provoking as expected. Predictable and simple plot.

Excellent Approach to a Hard Topic

I think this is an important book. The topic of school shootings is hard for adults to process. In Only Child, Rhiannon Navin has processed the experience and the aftermath from the eyes of a child.

I think this book will be valuable to anyone who loves a child in today's world.

Choosing Kivlighan de Montebello, who is a talented young person, to narrate, was brilliant and powerful. Also it sometimes makes the weight of the situation harder to carry. I normally binge straight through my audio books. On this one I had to take breaks. Totally worth it.

Out of the mouths of babes!

At this time while still reeling from the Fla tragedy, a bit of compassion for all the survivors including the perpetrator's is in order. We always want to cast blame on someone, something and away from ourselves. So timely, so excellent!

Powerful and heartbreaking

I have never read a book like this. I cried from beginning to end. Beautifully written and beautifully narrated. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. It has the secrets to happiness and love