Down Right Good

by Karen Kelly Boyce

On an unseasonably warm February day, ten-year-old Angie delivers the town tabloid with natural wisdom and confidence. The characters she meets along her way have varied adult troubles and lives. Born with Down syndrome and an ability to see angels, Angie’s simple knowledge and common sense transform those who line her route. Based on the third joyful mystery of the Rosary – the birth of Christ, Angie’s story emphasizes that God often speaks to us through others. He delights in using the weakest to reach the strongest. Christ humbled himself to come as a babe, so his wisdom comes to us through those considered the least by society. Karen’s third, highly anticipated novel continues the spiritual journey her readers have come to expect.

Genres: Fiction

194 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Karen Kelly Boyce rediscovered her love of writing and reading when she retired from nursing. She has been published in Canticle and Soul magazines. Karen's written four novels and three children's books. She lives on a farm with her retired husband. Karen has two grown children and two grandchildren. She enjoys farming and raises Nigerian Dwarf goats, chickens, turkeys, and horses. Karen and her husband Mike love camping and road trips. She enjoys visiting her grandchildren and is the leader of the Jackson Writer's group, Co-chair of the CJCCWG, and a member of the Catholic Writer's Guild.

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all the Sisters of the Last Straw books from the duo of Karen Kelly Boyce and Sue Anderson Gioulis. I have also read Jenna's Journey the first in a new trilogy from the pen of Boyce. But this book is something very very different. The description of this book is:

“On an unseasonably warm February day, ten-year-old Angie delivers the town tabloid with natural wisdom and confidence. The characters she meets along her way have varied adult troubles and lives. Born with Down syndrome and an ability to see angels, Angie’s simple knowledge and common sense transform those who line her route. Based on the third joyful mystery of the Rosary – the birth of Christ, Angie’s story emphasizes that God often speaks to us through others. He delights in using the weakest to reach the strongest. Christ humbled himself to come as a babe, so his wisdom comes to us through those considered the least by society. Karen’s third, highly anticipated novel continues the spiritual journey her readers have come to expect.”

This story was in part what I expected, but also in many ways much more. In some ways based on Angie’s speech and thought pattern it reminded me of Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon. Because of the sentence structure and style through most of Angie’s speech and though this book was difficult to read as someone with dyslexia. But it was worth the effort.

Again as someone who grew up with a learning disability, I spent a lot ot time in and around fellow students with special needs. From grade school all the way through to my second time in University. This book does an amazing job of capturing and expressing those experiences. It captures the hurt and depression associated with abuse and abandonment. It captures spiritual warfare. It will open our eyes.

The best stories are not only ones that entertain for a few hours while we read them, but are stories that stay with us. Stories that leave an impression and an impact upon us, that help us to see the world in a new and different way. This is such a story. It is masterfully written. There are many characters from this story I wish to know what happened next. The priest, the pastor, the young man. … Angie’s story comes to an end but many other stories are changed. An excellent read!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is one of few books that managed to get me choked up.I would describe this as " fiction-religious"it centers around a ten year old girl named "Angie" she is a sweet thoughtful little girl who loves and accepts just about everyone. she also was born with Downs syndrome. Angie lives with her grandmother and older brother Josh. their mother dies in child birth and their father left the children after his wife died.
Angie has paper route once a week delivering the free town's news paper. It usually takes her all day to deliver this paper to the small town because she always stops to visit the people she has made friends with. Each chapter has a story about the people she visits. each have a story about their lives. some have hurts, others secrets. even though this is a small town. many have never really gotten to know their neighbors. Angie turns out to be the link that eventually brings the town folk together. she is a very wise little girl who is very observant and has much advice to give to the people she meets on her route. sadly Angie has one "enemy" a little boy named Tommy who has taken a real hatred toward Angie. he wants to hurt her. but Tommy has secret of his own. he suffers a terrible life behind his doors at home. that no one cares to take notice of. tommy is a very bitter,little boy misunderstood by most.
Angie has a wonderful grandmother who is very religious and uses the bible to teach her grand children about life and how to live by what the bible teaches. a Tragedy brings the towns folk together. this is a wonderful book. each chapter starts out with a bible quote and a lesson that goes with it. this book reminded me of "it's A Wonderful Life" and how one person can touch so many lives. and also the book "A Christmas Carol" where it mentions Jacob Marley and the night he came to Scrooge and talked about the links of a chain we bear for sins and hurts we cause" I am so glad I got the chance to read this very sweet book. It has some religious lessons but not too preachy. got to warn you it can be a tear jerker. I liked the lesson this taught about forgiving.

[Ruth Apollonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance, one will realize Down Right Good is a delightful story that teaches the reader that every person, no matter how simple-minded or intellectually challenged, can bring good to the world.

It does not take long, however, for one to notice the refreshing spiritual aspects of the book, undoubtedly influenced by attendance at a Life in the Spirit Seminar, which visually describe both the helpful guidance from the heavenly angels, who wish us to be eternally happy with God in heaven, and the raging battles between the human soul and the fallen angels that wish to pull all humans away from God and plunges us into their slavery. The reader is not left hopeless, however, as Karen Kelly Boyce reminds us that the battle was already won by Christ on the cross. He is our hope, for He has risen!

[Gina Marinello-Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the mouth of babes . . .

It is often the littlest among us who speak the greatest wisdom. Untainted by the world, they know a joy that many have long forgotten. They speak an unfiltered truth. Down Right Good by Karen Kelly Boyce is a beautiful story starring an unexpected “hero” who changes the lives of the people she encounters. It is a testimony to the truth of how those who seem the weakest may have a strength that we have lost.

Angie is a ten-year-old girl with Down syndrome who delivers the town newspaper. Yet, through her encounters with the people on her route, she delivers far more than that. Her simple delivery route serves as a path of healing, as she embarks upon a journey to deliver the “good news” to those “disabled” by scars of the heart. However, as with anyone who dances so faithfully on the path of Light, Angie encounters darkness. The end of this poetic arc makes for a potent conclusion, as the role of Light-bearer, of guardian of the good news, is passed on to the most unexpected recipient in the wake of unspeakable tragedy.

When reading Down Right Good, I was struck by the mastery with which Mrs. Boyce weaved her story. Each page is filled with meaning, a depth of insight that could not be more brilliantly presented. Her writing was such that it enabled the reader to enter Angie’s world and truly see life through her eyes. Dialogue and inner thoughts introduced were not only realistic, but very . . . REAL. Simultaneously blunt yet caring, Angie is a unique character filled with joy and energy, a child that the reader comes to know and love alongside the townspeople. Early on I felt emotionally attached to this wonderful child and her endearing ways. Additionally, the language selected to tell her tale was a wonderful combination of compelling lyricism (“The morning light had a strange bend, as if the world was proclaiming a change, a transformation of the ordinary. The slant of sunlight through the blinds of Angie’s window woke her with a feeling of oddity. In the dawning of awareness, she sensed that something big was going to happen.” – page 1) and a powerful simplicity that reflects the unassuming wisdom of the principal character (“Angie loved to ride right down the center of the ties. As she did she would let out a steady scream and the evenly placed bumps of the railroad tracks would break up her scream until it became a chant. It was a small joy.” – page 74; “ ‘Look. Jumping feet. Moma says feet know want to leave before man know. . . Look eyes. You talk, he look. Then right away look out. Look at road like Billy look at cookie. Old boyfriend, same eyes . . . Need man feet on ground. Need man see just you.’ ” – Angie, p. 46, 48).

A key aspect of the novel is an affirmation of the value of life, no matter how different. While Angie may have been “disabled,” the reader found that she was really the least disabled of all, the most pure of heart and insight among many of the townspeople. By affirming the value of their lives, she reaffirms her own worth. A particularly beautiful part of the storyline was introduced fairly early on: that Angie could see the guardian angels of those she helped. Once again, this child was able to perceive that which others could not, despite her more ‘obvious’ disability. And, once again, the reader saw through Angie’s eyes with vivid and imaginative detail.

Equally beautiful was the presentation of relationships between characters. While each of Angie’s interactions with the townspeople was special, her relationship with her grandmother “Moma” was especially noteworthy. Moma, a strong, righteous woman, yet one with quiet wisdom, is the adoptive mother who teaches Angie not only to find the courage within herself, but how to truly love others. As such, Angie is able to ‘pass on’ a sense of love and truth to others. Josh is the fiercely loyal brother, filled with an inexhaustible amount of affection and concern for his sister. His story arc demonstrated the difficulty, yet necessity, of not only forgiving others but also yourself.

Evil is not downplayed in this story but shown clearly for anyone who would doubt its presence in this world. Nevertheless, it takes on a shocking turn as the reader sees firsthand how an innocent victim can turn to evil in his despair. The presentation of this battle is masterfully done, proving heartbreaking and horrifying, yet, ultimately, resulting in a victory filled with hope.

Down Right Good is a powerful, thought-provoking story of forgiveness and healing, beauty and true love. It will remain with the reader long after the last page. I highly recommend this incredible novel to fellow travelers in the journey of life.

[J.S. Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down Right Good by Karen Kelly Boyce is a touching story about Angie, a ten-year-old girl who has Down Syndrome. Angie delivers newspapers on her bicycle every Saturday to people in her neighborhood, many of whom have personal problems that Angie talks to them about in her own blunt way. Her simple reasoning gives the adults some food for thought, and ultimately changes their lives in ways nobody could have expected.

This novel is exceedingly dark in some places, as it does not shy away from divulging the evil and hurt that hide behind many closed doors. But in the end, that darkness is driven out by the power of forgiveness--that from God, as well as that which the townspeople have for themselves and for each other.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten-year-old Angie, a child with Down Syndrome, shares a wisdom born of her ability to see angels with the members of her community whom she meets on her paper route.

This novel follows Angie through a single day as she carries her newspapers to her customers, visiting them and offering honest (painfully-honest, sometimes) appraisals of their situations. She guilelessly challenges people to take concrete steps to free themselves from the prisons of pain and unhappiness they have helped to build for themselves.

[Paddy O'callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely beautiful and heart warming story, which contains moral lessons and biblical references. Now, I'm definitely not a fan of religion but am still prepared to recommend this book to absolutely everybody.

Personally I think it's about the triumph of innocence and simplicity over the big bad world.

[Cassandra Ulrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt story

I enjoyed this story of faith, love, and forgiveness. Seeing the world through Angie's eyes was different but refreshing. It does contain some sad and tough scenes, but it's worth the read.

[Christine Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching book about a girl with Down Syndrome who shares the wisdom she gains from prayer with the adults around her as she delivers her small town's weekly paper.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was thrilled when I won the copy of Down Right Good in the Goodreads giveaway, since we have a Down Syndrome person in the family and I am aware of what a blessing they can be. Unfortunately I became less thrilled the more I read and discovered Angie using 'baby talk'. Angie is portrayed as a very high-functioning DS ten-year-old girl. You can tell she is 'high-functioning' because she is able to have a paper route, count the amount of papers she needs, allowed to stay gone from home from morning until night with nobody checking on her, and makes many spiritual and philosophical statements. So why would she use such language as 'me go', and 'me be'? Even DS individuals far less advanced than Angie use better English. They may stumble over word usage or say 'uh' or 'um' often while trying to come up with a word,and they don't say everything just right, but they do not talk baby talk.

A DS person brings their own blessings to those around them, and I'm glad this book emphasized that. I am less in agreement that bad deeds are caused by demons who watch and cause humans to be mean or evil. I do not believe in 'the devil made me do it' philosophy. I believe everyone ought to take responsibility for their own actions, not blame it on some outside entity.
This was a good book, but could have been even better.

[Terri Tinkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book free from GoodReads a few weeks ago. I started it yesterday morning and finished it last night. It's a sweet story with some religious references. The main character is a lovely young girl who has Down Syndrome. She has a special spirituality about her. She loves to deliver a community newspaper along with unsold bakery items from her friend down the street. She also says just what she thinks in her halting speech. She can tell each person just what they should do and always references God and the Bible. Each chapter starts with a scripture and a short essay. Then the reader is treated to another character and Angie's relationship to the person. The ending isn't what I expected but even that was a lesson to learn. This book would be enjoyed by almost any age because it has some lovely lessons to teach.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book difficult to read. As a person living with a DS adult as well as a teacher of several DS students in the past, this book was not at all believable. Most non-disabled, 10 year olds would struggle with the daily routine of Angie. One might even question a child of that age being unsupervised for that length of time on a daily basis.

With that said, there are a few things I did find interested such as Angie's ability to see angels and to read people. I find that people with DS are the most friendliest, loving people a person could know. They are very observing of the people around them. I don't think that a person can be around someone with DS for any length of time with out a smile coming across their face.

[Danielle Sibarium · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ride with Angie on her paper route as she touches the lives of all the people she encounters. The first part of this book reminded me of Forest Gump, in the way Angie, a girl with Down Syndrome, changed the lives of so many around her without even realizing it. But unlike Forest, Angie encounters true evil.

Although God and religon play an important part in the book, there is a realistic element of evil. I like that Karen Kelly Boyce allows her characters to embrace the darkness and be affected by it, when appropriate.

[Karen Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't help but fall in love with sweet Angie, a Down's Syndrome child beautifully portrayed throughout the pages of this book by author Karen Kelly Boyce. Boyce has been gifted with the ability to make her characters come alive, but never more so than in Down Right Good. You'll be swept into the story as you follow Angie on her bike as she delivers newspapers and steals the hearts of her customers. A surprise ending awaits readers of this delightful book!

[Donnab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this book. I would love to know more about how the author had so much insight about "Angie" to be able to so truthfully portray a character like her with Down syndrome. I say this because as the young sister to a differently-abled older brother and, as a mother to a beautiful 14 year old with DS, I acknowledge the fact that the intellectually disABLED among us often have a better grasp on life than we normal folk!! I loved this book!!

[Karen Boyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third novel. It tells the tale of a young girl with Down's syndrome on one day of her life. Tension grows as she and her nemesis, an abused, lost boy, grow closer to meeting in the park. What happens when they meet transforms the lives of all the people in the town.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find my full review here:
http://through-my-is.blogspot.com/201...

[Cherie Berrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was an incredible story. Did not want to put it down. Drew me in, brought tears to my eyes. Very good points. So happy to have read this story!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.