Fiction Review: Only Child

I was completely blown away by the most recent book I reviewed for Shelf Awareness, Only Child by debut author Rhiannon Navin, so I was thrilled to see that my editors agreed - this is one of their starred reviews on the front page of the website this week! The honor is well-deserved.

I read and reviewed Only Child back in the first week of January, and its topic - a school shooting - was horrifying then but even more relevant today, in the wake of what recently happened in Florida. As upsetting as these events are, the novel is tempered somewhat by its narrator: a sweet, innocent 6-year old boy who lives through a shooting at his school, hidden in a closet with his teacher and classmates. It's a different perspective seen through the eyes of a child. While his dad buries himself in his work, and his mom blames the shooter's parents, Zach is left to figure things out for himself. He's an endearing little boy who turns to what he knows to figure out this confusing situation, including looking for advice in his Magic Tree House books, which I loved.

Despite the difficult subject matter, seeing things from Zach's perspective is enlightening and ultimately uplifting, as the youngest member of the family saves his parents and himself.

You can read my full review at Shelf Awareness.

Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review. My review is my own opinion and is not influenced by my relationship with the publisher or author.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. Purchases from these links provide a small commission to me (pennies per purchase), to help offset the time I spend writing for this blog, at no extra cost to you.

Purchase Only Child from an indie bookstore:


Or order Only Child from Book Depository, with free shipping worldwide.