Pretty good story of how a young child's life can be determined by a misunderstanding. Ares thinks he is responsible for his brother being "retarded" and his mother's flighty attitude doesn't lead him to believe any differently. How differently Ares would have looked at life if he hadn't carried the guilt of being responsible for his brother being different.

A beautifully atmospheric and sensitive story about living with an autistic child during the 1970s, when there were no real terms or methods of helping such children. The book is narrated by Ares, a twelve-year-old boy who lives in a trailer with his unconventional mother Laurel and his autistic half-brother Malcolm, who is six. Five years earlier, while holding baby Malcolm for his mother, Ares accidentally dropped the squirming child. Malcolm landed on his head in a cement parking lot, and ever since Ares has been certain that Malcolm's inability to speak and his other issues are his fault.

The story is about a young boy dealing with long-held ideas, fighting for his independence, and trying to decide who he is other than son and protector to his sibling. He has a picture of his future that always includes caring for his brother, and he is beginning to realize he wants more than that one task to define him. ( )

“As a mother, it was a reminder to me of how children interpret events to either blame or reward themselves, which frequently isn't reality. I was impressed by the author's ability to show the main characters sense of responsibility conflicting with teenage angst and the pull of wanting parental love and being furious with it. It was a nice morning read. My primary complaint would be with the pacing of the book. The lead up to the climax is the first 90% of the book, then the "event" occurs and things feel wrapped up too quick. ” ( )

Silver tells a sad story very well. Ares (the god of war for those who forget) is a youg boy with a difficult life. His brother is retarded because Ares dropped him on his head in a parking lot and their mother is fruity. She walks around in her underwear and doesn't want a man living with them. Ares develops quite a crush on his librarian who also agrees to help tutor Malcolm. But Malcolm doesn't really get better. And Ares gets involved with the librarian's foster son who is nothing but trouble. There is a struggle between the foster son, Malcolm, and Ares, and, the next thing you know, everything has changed. The family moves to San Diego so Malcolm can get better care and Ares focuses on his studies and moves away. This is a quiet adult novel about autism and its effects on families in the 1970s. ( )