When psychology intersects human nature

Charles Gordon is not your average guy. After his family could no longer keep-up with handling his mental disability, a family friend takes him in as a janitor at the bakery. When a new science experiment promises to make him smart after Algernon becomes the smartest mouse alive, Charlies's world is turned upside down. And so begins, Daniel Keys great story: Flowers for Algernon

Photo credit: Goodreads

What a great book! To question so many grown-up issues in the eyes of an emotional 6-16 year old and pair it with a good plot is amazing. In a few short months, Charlie's intellectual capacity grows exponentially while his emotional side struggles. During this experiment, many researchers seemed to have lost the human  component of Charlie. As a reader this is ironic since the story is told at the intersection of this struggle with his Progress Reports. 

 Learning and education is so important to everyone, but this book sheds light on a topic that is not well addressed in main stream media. How do we support those with mental disabilities?  Charlie is bullied and eventually loses his sense of self.  (Read the book..  I don't want to give away to much here) It is a great book with excellent writing and character development. Flowers for Algernon reminds us that there is a person behind every new discovery. What is the sacrifice they were willing to make?

Happy Reading!

I am almost half-way done. I didn't make it to the library today so I think The Little White Horse will be my first book of July! Sneaking in Nicholas Sparks to end the first half of my Adventure!