The summer before entering sixth grade, Sammy, a bright and charming boy who lived on the coast of Maine, suddenly began to exhibit disturbing beha...
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Nov 17, 2009
Lara
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My original review found here: Saving Sammy Review
I'm excited to have another opportunity to review a book for TLC Book Tours. This time the book I am reviewing is Saving Sammy: Curing the Boy Who Caught OCD by Beth Maloney.
Honestly, I kind of ignored the book for a while after TLC sent it to me, simply because I thought it would be fairly heavy subject matter (being a true story about an ailing child and all) and I wasn't really in the mood for that kind of a read at More...
I'm excited to have another opportunity to review a book for TLC Book Tours. This time the book I am reviewing is Saving Sammy: Curing the Boy Who Caught OCD by Beth Maloney.
Honestly, I kind of ignored the book for a while after TLC sent it to me, simply because I thought it would be fairly heavy subject matter (being a true story about an ailing child and all) and I wasn't really in the mood for that kind of a read at More...
Sep 16, 2009
Barb
rated it: 
An amazing and emotional story of how one mother literally saved her son's life. This is an incredible story about a boy who caught OCD. I urge anyone who has regular contact with children to read this book. This mother discovered what has not reached the mainstream medical community yet, that sometimes there is a connection between infections and mental illness.
I don't know how this mother was able to cope with her son's behaviors. My hat's off to her for her unfaltering devotio More...
I don't know how this mother was able to cope with her son's behaviors. My hat's off to her for her unfaltering devotio More...
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Sep 11, 2009
Yukari
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OCD and Tourette's Syndrome are still mysterious. Every case is different and there's no guarantee the "usual" treatment works.
Since I translated Harvard Medical School Psychologist Lee Baer's OCD book "Imp of the Mind" into Japanese, I have read quite a few OCD related books. I regarded myself quite knowledgeable with this subject, but I had never heard of "PANDASPediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections" More...
Since I translated Harvard Medical School Psychologist Lee Baer's OCD book "Imp of the Mind" into Japanese, I have read quite a few OCD related books. I regarded myself quite knowledgeable with this subject, but I had never heard of "PANDASPediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections" More...
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Sep 29, 2009
Sara
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Saving Sammy presents an intriguing story, from the very wording of the title ("Curing the Boy Who Caught OCD") to the very difficulties and struggles faced by one unrelenting mother.
Beth Allison Maloney, shares the interesting story of how her son (Sammy) becomes progressively obsessive-compulsive, feral, and distraught, and the agonizing three year journey they take to return to normalcy.
It seems to be every parents worst nightmare -- their extroverted, smart, academi More...
Beth Allison Maloney, shares the interesting story of how her son (Sammy) becomes progressively obsessive-compulsive, feral, and distraught, and the agonizing three year journey they take to return to normalcy.
It seems to be every parents worst nightmare -- their extroverted, smart, academi More...
Sep 16, 2009
Diane
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Saving Sammy tells the touching story of a bright, active twelve year old boy, a middle child, who one day suddenly begins to exhibit strange behaviors.
Beth Maloney, a single mom of three boys, tells the story of what happened to her son Sammy. Almost overnight Sammy went from what seemed like a normal boy to one with strange rituals: he refused to bathe, had to have five different types of drinks at mealtime, refused to touch doornobs and faucets, had issues with stairs, walked alon More...
Beth Maloney, a single mom of three boys, tells the story of what happened to her son Sammy. Almost overnight Sammy went from what seemed like a normal boy to one with strange rituals: he refused to bathe, had to have five different types of drinks at mealtime, refused to touch doornobs and faucets, had issues with stairs, walked alon More...
Nov 23, 2009
Ti
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The Short of It:
A startling look at one family’s experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder and how a mother’s unwavering quest for a cure slowly brings about change within the medical community. Touching and well-told. This is a story with a purpose.
The Rest of It:
I picked this book up, read about ten pages and then could not put it down. I finished it in just a few sittings. Anyone with a child can relate to the difficulties of dealing with a sick More...
A startling look at one family’s experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder and how a mother’s unwavering quest for a cure slowly brings about change within the medical community. Touching and well-told. This is a story with a purpose.
The Rest of It:
I picked this book up, read about ten pages and then could not put it down. I finished it in just a few sittings. Anyone with a child can relate to the difficulties of dealing with a sick More...
Sep 09, 2009
Samantha
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I really enjoyed this book. It was extremely enlightening to me about what a severe OCD child goes through and also how they may be helped if they have PANDAS. You truly get into the story and see what this mother went through. You see the pain that it causes her other children. While I didn't always agree with all of her decisions and spent a lot of the book wondering why the father wasn't helping out more, I still found her thought process fascinating. You feel her struggles of not giving up o
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Sep 22, 2011
Tracy
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This is a very quick read, and it's a very sweet true story of a mother's fight for her son, diagnosed with OCD. The pages and pages of painful description of her son's disorder are fascinating and simultaneously depressing. However, I can't really highly recommend this book for two reasons: (1) I know far too many mothers who have children with diagnosable disorders who won't find a miracle cure for their child, as this mother found. I worry how this book would be perceived by these mothers, wh
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Jun 03, 2011
Dee
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I will say that I was pleasantly surprised with this book! I knew it would be an inspiring story from the title but it was more than that. I was afraid it would be so depressing that I wouldn't be able to read it. I was wrong. You defiantly feel for this family but it is told in such a way that you are mesmerized. It's fascinating to see what this child(& mom) go through and to find out the causes the sons abnormal behavior. I have to say that it blew my mind! Very inspiring & well written. I a
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Aug 03, 2011
I found this book amazingly informative and eye-opening to the challenges that families with mentally ill kids have to handle. I haven't known anybody with OCD, but this book gave me a peek into what goes on in these people's lives and how hard it can be to find the right doctors.
Sammy is a very lucky child to have such an amazing mother who is intelligent and wouldn't give up. I couldn't hold my tears much throughout the book, but the best was when I finally got to Sammy's recovery, I was shedd More...
Sammy is a very lucky child to have such an amazing mother who is intelligent and wouldn't give up. I couldn't hold my tears much throughout the book, but the best was when I finally got to Sammy's recovery, I was shedd More...
Aug 19, 2011
Kary
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This is a memoir written by a mother who's world is turned upside down when her 12 year old son suddenly develops some very strange symptoms. It starts with a few "quirks" such as having to touch everything he passes, but quickly develops into something much more serious. Every moment of his life is taken up by strange, obsessive behaviors and compulsions. Doctors say he has OCD, but how did this come on so suddenly? A friend mentions to Beth that an acquaintance developed similar symp
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Dec 29, 2009
Paula
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It's not difficult to be swept up into Beth Maloney's nightmare. Parents will read this book with a shudder, wondering if they could possibly match Maloney's patience and tenacity as she struggles with the medical mystery that is her son Sammy. The book serves as a reminder that while doctors are professionals, they don't have all the answers. Ultimately it is up to the patient (or in this case, the mother) to do outside research and become their own advocate.
Sep 02, 2011
Heather
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Very interesting book about OCD - obsessive compulsive disorder - and P.A.N.D.A.S., which shows how strep can cause OCD. I applaud the author for sharing her story and her son for allowing it to be shared. I worry that this might turn out to be like the autism - immunization link, but there seems to be research supporting the P.A.N.D.A.S. diagnosis. A very good read for anyone who works with children suffering from OCD or Tourette's.
Jul 28, 2010
Kayla
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Absolutely amazing. The type of book that leaves you wondering after you put it down.
A mother struggles to get her son back after sudden onset OCD that is later linked with the strep virus. As the reader, you not only get to feel the frustration as the family and the love of a mother, but you get to learn about OCD, Tourette Syndrome, and PANDAS. So enlightening. I fear starting a book now would be a problem because it will only pale in comparison...
A mother struggles to get her son back after sudden onset OCD that is later linked with the strep virus. As the reader, you not only get to feel the frustration as the family and the love of a mother, but you get to learn about OCD, Tourette Syndrome, and PANDAS. So enlightening. I fear starting a book now would be a problem because it will only pale in comparison...
Nov 20, 2009
Kathy
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A true story written by a mom whose son is diagnosed with OCD. A must read for any parent whose child has been diagnosed with a mental health issue. Beth Alison Maloney lets the reader experience her family's struggles advocating for her son and navigating the mental health system. A glimpse into how such a diagnosis can impact a family and each of its members.
May 05, 2010
Story about a twelve year old boy with sudden onset OCD and also Tourettes and the mother's journey to solve his problems. He ends up being helped with Augmentin and theory is it is PANDAS, due to strep. Also good video on today show with a totally cured Sammy at Carnegie Mellon University and clips of him in the worst of his OCD
Feb 16, 2011
JoAnn/QuAppelle
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At first I thought...what the heck does that mean --- "caught OCD" but wait until you read it. Some sudden-onset childhood mental illnesses, including some forms of autism, can occur following an infection like strep or Lyme disease. Really amazing. A heartbreaking journey.
Aug 03, 2011
Courtney
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I enjoyed this book. I think it's so interesting that there are cases like these that medical doctors refuse to acknowledge. I will remember this Mother's determination to help her son when I am a mom.
Jan 06, 2010
Carol
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This is a heartbreaking and ultimately inspiring memoir of a mother who would not give up to bring her son back from his own isolated world. Everyone who has struggled with a diagnosis should read this.
Oct 13, 2009
Rachel
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Wow. I have never heard of this! But it is an amazing story and I hope a lot of people read it. It just goes to show that doctors don't always know everything. And you can trust me on this one. I work in a medical research facility and sometimes it amazes me that these people can tie their own shoes.
May 05, 2010
Amy
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This book makes you think a lot about mental illness. I am interested to see if anything in science evolves to support this woman's theories.
Sep 14, 2010
Nancy
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I had no idea that mental disorders could be linked to infections! An inspiring account of a mother's dedication to solving the mystery of a sudden onset disease and its effect on her family.
Jun 06, 2010
Lynn
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Remarkable story that is both extremely thought provoking and also shows what a difference a mother's love and extraordinary persistence can accomplish for her child.
Jul 21, 2010
Mary
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I found it fascinating that a mental illness, such as sudden onsed OCD, can be caused by strep antibodies.
Jun 02, 2010
Nancy
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Just read this, easy read...good book. Very shocking about the strep and the relationship to OCD.
Oct 04, 2009
this will be another tough read for me....but if I can glean anything at all the will help Em, it will be worth it.
Jan 13, 2011
Mum
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This is a powerful book. A mother would do and bear anything to save her son. It is unreal how many times we just "hear" what the doctors say as the last statement on the subject. She didn't - it wasn't OCD, it wasn't ECD, it wasn't Tourettes. She kept looking and looking. Why don't doctors do a routine STREP titer level on everyone when odd symptoms occur? I know I will ask for that from now on. I wish I had know about this when my girls were teenagers. Please read this book a
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Mar 13, 2011
Robyn
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This was such a fascinating read. I couldn't put it down. I don't normally read ahead--in fact I never do because I like to discover a book with the characters--but this book was so heartbreaking at times I had to read ahead to see if everything came out good in the end. Ms. Maloney is quite an incredible mother.
