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Wren
Author of "Karen"
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
4 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Marie Killilea
17 books33 followersFounder of the Cerebral Palsy Association.
* Marie Lyons Killilea was born June 28, 1913 in New York City to Tom and Marie Powers Lyons.
* Her father was a sportswriter for the New York Sun and later became co-owner of a Wall Street brokerage firm.
* Attended Mount St. Vincent Academy in Riverdale. Attended the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School.
* Married James Killilea on July 25, 1933. Primary residence was Larchmont, NY.
* She was an active lobbyist in Albany for the rights of cerebral palsy patients. Her work culminated in the formation of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Westchester County. Later, she was a co-founder of the National United Cerebral Palsy Foundation.
* She wrote a novel, "Karen," which became a best seller in 1952 and has never been out of print. A sequel, "With Love From Karen," was published in 1963 and it is still in print. She wrote other books as well.
* "Karen" won a Christopher Award and was one of the 30 Notable Books of 1953. Her books, totaling 4 million copies, have been published in 11 languages. Mrs. Killilea received letters from all over the world, and she once estimated she answered 15,000 or more.
* She died on October 23, 1991 at the age of 78 of respiratory ailments.At the time of her death she was survived by her husband, Jimmy (who died a few years later at the age of 80) and four children: Marie Irish, Karen Killilea, Kristin Viltz, and Rory Killilea.
* Marie Lyons Killilea was born June 28, 1913 in New York City to Tom and Marie Powers Lyons.
* Her father was a sportswriter for the New York Sun and later became co-owner of a Wall Street brokerage firm.
* Attended Mount St. Vincent Academy in Riverdale. Attended the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School.
* Married James Killilea on July 25, 1933. Primary residence was Larchmont, NY.
* She was an active lobbyist in Albany for the rights of cerebral palsy patients. Her work culminated in the formation of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Westchester County. Later, she was a co-founder of the National United Cerebral Palsy Foundation.
* She wrote a novel, "Karen," which became a best seller in 1952 and has never been out of print. A sequel, "With Love From Karen," was published in 1963 and it is still in print. She wrote other books as well.
* "Karen" won a Christopher Award and was one of the 30 Notable Books of 1953. Her books, totaling 4 million copies, have been published in 11 languages. Mrs. Killilea received letters from all over the world, and she once estimated she answered 15,000 or more.
* She died on October 23, 1991 at the age of 78 of respiratory ailments.At the time of her death she was survived by her husband, Jimmy (who died a few years later at the age of 80) and four children: Marie Irish, Karen Killilea, Kristin Viltz, and Rory Killilea.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 13, 2011
This was my "Harry Potter," one of the first books that turned me into a life-long reader
Did Not Finish
June 30, 2018I always feel kinda bad leaving reviews on books like this, where so many people reading it are those who loved it as a child. And if you loved it as a child, my words are meaningless. Childhood books are so special. But I also like seeking out rare (as in quality, not rare in availability) children’s books that are wholesome and sweet and quaint and that a young child would still enjoy, so I read lots of this type of book.
This one was not what I was looking for. This is the book I worry people might think I like when I ask for or talk about wholesome and sweet and quaint children's books.
It is so sickeningly sweet, but not in a cute way. It practically reads like a parody how sweet it is. All "Princess!" and kisses and getting what you want nearly always. The way they talk to each other . . . it’s like the Gergiches from Parks and Recreation! And, yeah, the story is about the family growing up with something massive being out of their control, which you’d think would add some color to the story. But it’s all just a pastel pink, the whole thing, bland and nauseating.
And then, this is a small complaint, but I couldn't believe it: There’s an illustration early on of Karen, as a very young baby (less than a year old but is portrayed looking like a full-blown toddler), pointing excitedly at a horse. While they’re on the way to see a doctor because Karen cannot use her arms or legs. Nobody caught that one?
This one was not what I was looking for. This is the book I worry people might think I like when I ask for or talk about wholesome and sweet and quaint children's books.
It is so sickeningly sweet, but not in a cute way. It practically reads like a parody how sweet it is. All "Princess!" and kisses and getting what you want nearly always. The way they talk to each other . . . it’s like the Gergiches from Parks and Recreation! And, yeah, the story is about the family growing up with something massive being out of their control, which you’d think would add some color to the story. But it’s all just a pastel pink, the whole thing, bland and nauseating.
And then, this is a small complaint, but I couldn't believe it: There’s an illustration early on of Karen, as a very young baby (less than a year old but is portrayed looking like a full-blown toddler), pointing excitedly at a horse. While they’re on the way to see a doctor because Karen cannot use her arms or legs. Nobody caught that one?
June 9, 2017
My mom found this book at the library and encouraged me to read it in 3rd grade (around 1970). It made an impression--I tracked it down for my 6-year-old granddaughter recently. It made a lovely read-aloud. We appreciated the family's faith, love, kindness and perseverance.
October 1, 2020
A great favorite from my childhood. I just hunted it down and was able to purchase it inexpensively from a used bookseller. This is a wonderful book to teach children about disabilities. It was written in 1952, so there are some cultural differences that need to be talked around. The Killileas were also very devout Catholics. My family is Roman Catholic, too, and we appreciated the many religious references. People of other faiths should be aware of this aspect of it.
Read
May 3, 2008Karen(Wren) has cerebral palsey. The mom wrote this inspiring story of how they managed the illness and the stigma of handicaps.
February 16, 2009
Lovely version of the story of Karen, born with cerebral palsy in the 1940's, written for older children.
Currently Reading
April 15, 2010A child's version of the book, "Karen". Loaned to my son by a school aide.
August 2, 2011
Always a good book :)
April 22, 2012
This was my childhood favorite, I was ill at the time, and my mom had got this book for me in the library. Very moving.
Read
September 24, 2012A childhood fave.
August 12, 2013
Wonderful! Great young chapter book about a girl with cerebral palsy who does amazing things!
April 28, 2018
Still remember reading this book as a little girl and loved it!
May 2, 2018
Great book for a child
October 22, 2015
I loved this book when I was a teen.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews