Mockingbird Book Club Meeting 3

For this meeting on October 13th, the group agreed to read up to chapter 30. Once again, it was difficult for me to stop once I reached that chapter because of how much I enjoy reading it. To start, we talked about how Caitlin’s social worker is not in school because her sister is having a baby. She talks about this as if it is the baby’s fault that Ms. Brook’s sister needs help, but the group agreed that it was comical and also typical for Caitlin to think. We discussed how literal Caitlin takes everything she hears and that it’s very common for people on the Autism spectrum.

One of the group members brought up the time when Caitlin and her dad were talking about how she feels about going to the middle school next year, she said she is fine with going because there is no recess. It was obvious to us that the reason the father asked that question was because that is the school that her brother, Devon, was killed in. After that, Caitlin’s dad asked her if she wants to go to a private school. Caitlin said she would like to go there if it meant she was the only student at the school. We discussed how although Caitlin takes almost all things literally, the father does not try to re-word the questions so she could better understand what he is trying to ask. We think that this is because he is so incredibly hurt and confused about what happened to his son, that he really is not putting in much effort in having productive conversations with his daughter.

I mentioned to the group about how persistent Caitlin is becoming about completing Devon’s Eagle Scout project in hopes to find closure. We all thought it was cute that she drew an eagle on a white shirt and since her brother called her scout, she hoped her father would get the “Eagle + Scout” connection. Also, after finding out that she needed quarter-cut oak to finish the project, she figured cutting wood from an oak tree with a quarter would be the way she could get the materials. Once again, we came back to the idea that Caitlin takes everything literally and we think it would be easier for both her and her dad if he would keep this in mind while speaking with her.

We ended with talking about how difficult it can be for parents of children on the Autism spectrum, especially when a tragedy like this occurs. I believe more support groups are necessary to help the families of kids with Asperger’s to find more people like you and to know they are not alone. The group planned to meet in a few days and to finish the book so we can discuss the ending and the book as a whole. Well, it's time to get reading!