A Family That Fights

Plot Summary

Henry, Claire, and Joe hate it when their parents fights. The fighting often wakes them from a sound sleep, causing Claire and Joe to cry. The crying makes their father angrier—sometimes he even hits their mother. Henry wishes he could talk to someone about the fighting in his home. Sadly, the embarassment, shame, and isolation he feels stop him from speaking out.

Reviews

"The author's notes are right on the mark, giving children suggestions for coping within a violent household and offering ideas for parents and professionals who want to help. Given the scarcity of children's books dealing with the subject, this could be an important book to have around the library." Booklist

"An introductory paragraph stresses the universality of family disagreements, then distinguishes between them and family violence. Final comments stress that the children are not the cause of or to be blamed for their parents' actions. Appended are lists of what children can do to help themselves and what parents can do. . . . A book on a much needed topic, related in a competent and assuring manner." School Library Journal

"A reassuring book for a potentially frightening discovery."
Science Books & Films

Associated Keywords
abuse, families, violence, family violence, family problems