Murphy's Boy: He Was a Frightened Boy Who Refused to Speak Until a Teacher's Love Broke Through the Silence

n Silent Boy, Torey Hayden introduces us to Kevin, an elective mute and her efforts to break his years of self enforced silence. While not seeking to undermine the work which she undertakes with damaged children, this book carries the usual critism of social services and how they fail children, while Ms Hadyen presents herself as an avenging saviour. I feel certain that if social workers were given the resources which they greatly need in order to work individually with children in a therapeutic manner they would have the same results as Ms Hayden. Her encounter with a needy child outside of her professional capacity is extremely enlightening as Ms Hayden presents herself as judgemental and lacking in the same compassion which she show more provides to those children she is paid to communicate with. show less

Another wonderful book by this author, providing even more insight into a world that so few people even realize exists. This book is about Torey's time with a teenager named Kevin, a teenager who hid under tables and refused to speak and was labeled hopeless by countless doctors. She was able to get through to him, though, and after those first few barriers were broken Kevin was able to take steps, largely on his own, to help himself. Some horrible events and frustrating setbacks and going through so many months where there seemed to be no change at all, but she didn't give up, and.... wow. Once again I cried at the end of this book, but for once it wasn't out of frustration, but happiness.

Another good read by Torey Hayden. I would love to know how Kevin is doing now. Liked this book a bit better than Twiligth Children

Silent Boy is about Torey's difficult relationship with a young teen boy told through her eyes. I thought the ending was brilliant, which you can't say about alot of books.
A great read overall and one of my favourite books by Torey Hayden.

This story has a major bump in it- when Kevin attempts to rape Torey and the case is taken away from her. His attempt is upsetting, but taking the case away is equally so. If she wasn't able to reconnect with him, as she later does than Torey, Kevin, and the readers would all feel unresolved. Luckily she does, and we have the privaledge of watching Kevin grow and find his place. It's one more reminder that we must never leave things unresolved after conflict.

Compelling read about a boy who refuses to read. ANd when he does, he slowly unlocks a horrid past.

This book has a different setting than her other books. It shows in detail her work with an elective mute, and how he changed with Torey's help