Only Child

A Novel

By: Rhiannon Navin

Narrated by: Kivlighan de Montebello

For fans of Room and the novels of Jodi Picoult, a dazzling, tenderhearted debut about healing, family, and the exquisite wisdom of children, narrated by a 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 19 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.

©2018 Rhiannon Navin (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

" Only Child realizes every parent's ultimate fear: What if your kid's killer is someone you knew - or thought you knew? Congrats to Rhiannon Navin - this is an outstanding debut." (Harlan Coben)

"An astonishing debut novel." (Louisa Ermelino, Publishers Weekly)

"One of the big debuts of next year." (Barbara Hoffert, Library Journal)

"A powerful exercise in empathy and perspective." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"As I flew through Only Child, I realized that my heart, not my fingers, turned the pages. Rhiannon Navin finds a miraculous way to simplify the unthinkable into a page-turning, emotional awakening. Through the eyes of seven-year-old Zach, we get to see the beauty that can rise up after pain and loss. And we get to see through the noise of our adult lives, back to the undeniable truth of childhood - kindness begets kindness." (Bryan Reardon, author of Finding Jake)

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

Heartbreaking story~ very hard to get through

Wonderfully written story told from a child’s perspective. She captures that point of view deftly. The subject matter was almost unbearable to listen to, though. Imagining the family’s pain as she details the moments they find out the fate of their son - horrifying and heartbreaking and very well written...just really hard to listen to. Wasn’t sure I could get through it but I did!

Amazing!

Read by the child's voice and told in the child's voice makes it all feel true. I cried through a lot of it. A reminder of the dangers of life.

Wow

This perspective from a 6 year old after enduring a gut wrenching tragedy is so relatable. As adults we struggle with our own emotions as Only Child shows but a child breaks it down in digestible pieces like Zach. The narration is incredible. This heartbreaking and redemptive story is a must read.

Oh. My. Goodness!

This book is off the charts awesome. I was in tears so much but I also laughed and got angry. So well written. The young narrator was flawless. Believable. I believe every school guidance counselor should read this. Every teacher. Parents. If only we listened to our children more often...

Wow! This kept me listening.

When I read the synopsis, I wondered if I could listen to s story about a school shooting, but the story is from the viewpoint of a six-year-old. This helped soften the topic in some ways and made it more emotional in others.

The narration is perfect for the book. Having a young reader was essential . de Montebello's reading was spot on, showing necessary emotion where it was needed without excessive drama.