Some of my favorite books about Down syndrome

In honor of Down syndrome awareness month, I thought I’d share some of my favorite books. Click on any of the pictures to go to Amazon to purchase your own copy of these worthwhile reads.

“A Good and Perfect Gift” by Amy Julia Becker. This memoir just came out last year. Amy Julia is a gifted writer. This book is smart and from the heart. A must read.

“The Memory Keeper’s Daughter” by Kim Edwards. Great fiction! Click on the book picture to get to Amazon to buy a copy.

“Jewel” by Bret Lott. I read this book in Ukraine when I was pregnant with Polly. I didn’t know she had Down syndrome. The book is fiction, about a woman in the backwoods of Mississippi. Her last child was born with Down syndrome. It is a wonderful read.

A friend in the Down syndrome community. Jennifer Graf Groenberg wrote a beautiful book called Roadmap to Holland. Check it out!

“Expecting Adam” by Martha Beck. Another true story. Phenomenal writing. I read it like once a year.

“The Shape of the Eye” by George Estreich. I so appreciated this memoir. Written from a father’s perspective, George takes us through the beginning stages of what it is like to have a child with Down syndrome. The history of Down syndrome is weaved throughout. The book is so well written. It moved me.

What are your favorite reads about Down syndrome?

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9 comments found

Jacqueline says:

October 24, 2012 at 3:28 pm

I love some of those titles you mentioned, others I’m adding to my list of books to check out from the library. I’d include Kelle Hampton’s “Bloom” on your list as well – as I wrote when I reviewed it, “it’s a full-color memoir from the birth of her daughter with Down syndrome to her first birthday. ‘Bloom’ talks a lot about healing and growth as Kelle comes to terms with the diagnosis and learns that different can be better. Bloom also goes in to her first few ventures into the Down syndrome community. I cried about a half a dozen times while reading this book and highly recommend it.”

I had to opportunity to meet Kelle and her family while I was living in Naples and even got her to sign my copy!

1. Gillian Marchenko says:
  
  October 25, 2012 at 1:39 pm
  
  Thanks Jacqueline!
  
Crayon on the Wall says:

October 24, 2012 at 6:24 pm

“Road Map to Holland” was the first book I read after my son’s birth diagnosis. Honestly, I was a bit nervous to read a memoir, or anything for that matter, regarding Down syndrome. I had a very antiquated idea of DS. So just 2.5 weeks after my son was born I bought it. And I couldn’t put it down. I felt like I was having a conversation with someone who understood me and what I was feeling. I’m very grateful for this wonderful memoir.

(“Expecting Adam” and “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter” are also in my reading list.)

1. Gillian Marchenko says:
  
  October 25, 2012 at 1:40 pm
  
  That is so great, Crayon. That was what it was like for me with Expecting Adam.
  
Mary-je says:

October 25, 2012 at 1:12 am

“Welcome to the Great Mysterious” by Lorna Landvik is a wonderful, warm-hearted read. The main character begins by making a “noble sacrifice” to stay with her teenage nephew with Down Syndrome, and ends up discovering he is a person she really likes being with.

1. Gillian Marchenko says:
  
  October 25, 2012 at 1:40 pm
  
  Oooh, sounds good. I’ll check it out. Thanks!
  
Ellen Stumbo says:

October 25, 2012 at 3:22 am

“Gifts”!!! Reading Gifts was a defining moment for me. Hearing the voices of all the moms talking about their children made me realize this was going to be good! Still my favorite book about Ds out there, written from moms, for moms. Love it! I like the second one too (and I have a story in it) but the first one takes the top 1 for me.

1. Gillian Marchenko says:
  
  October 25, 2012 at 1:41 pm
  
  Great point! How could I forget about Gifts? Good stuff. Thanks Ellen.
  
Leanne says:

November 13, 2012 at 10:37 pm

Expecting Adam for sure. Reading Martha Beck’s book gave me permission to talk about my inner world while holding together the outer world when our little guy was born.