Appearance
Karen
I first read this book as a child and have reread it every year. One year, as I read, I realized my five month old daughter had cerebral palsy. The book was a great source of comfort and advice. Written in the 1940s, it tells of a time when mopst of these children were forgotten in institutions and thought to have no IQ. Karen's family not only kept her, but they raised her to be an intelligent and successful human being-a miracle for the time. I pick up every copy I find in thrift stores and give them to parents. (They're getting harder to find, so order fast!) Even if you have no special interest in Cerebral Palsy, you'll be touched by this loving family story.
Karen
I first read Karen in about the 5th grade. I have read it several times since. I have daughters in both 5th and 7th grades and I think it would be an excellent book for them to read. Too often now days things come so easy to some and they don't see the challenge or the blessing of being able to just live. I believe it would be a good motivational book for all children, expecially those with disabilities. My daughter has ADD and daily has to struggle. I would like her to know what can be accomplished by trying and trying, over and over again. Just an excellent book!
Karen
I first read Karen when I was in grade school. Since then, I've worn out at least four copies with numerous re-reads. The sequel, With Love From Karen, is equally inspirational ... if only there were more! Definitely worth the search, it's one of my favorites.
Karen
Karen and With Love From Karen written by Marie Kililea are in my opinion both masterpieces on mans ability to overcome physical and emotional disabilities in a positive manner. I read "Karen" and "With Love from Karen" when I was young and wasn't able to appreciate at that time the true value of these books. The humor and kindness of the Kililea family was very apparent even at the first glance. I enjoyed them all the same at that time and recently picked them up again to reread. The literary style and content is superb. The quality is unsurpassed by many books written on handicaps because it gives a feeling of hope and determination rather than a feeling of "the poor child" to the readers. I would recommend this book to people of all ages, with or without disabilities because its a good lesson in appreciating the gifts of God that we receive daily.It's a pity that we don't know what happens with Karen as she goes through her adult life since readers feel that they know her at a personal level by the time they finish the books. I was also disappointed to see that "With Love from Karen" is out of print!
Karen
It's not much, but I did a key word search on all the family names from the Karen books. I found a number of hits for a Russ Lea down in Georgia. I also found a hit for a Rory Killilea which took me to a picture of a middle aged man holding a young boy at a local ball game somewhere on the west coast. There was no article, just a caption: "Rory Killilea and his son enjoy the game" or soemthing like that. The Lea ones seem iffy because it seems to be a fairly common name, but I thought that Rory Killilea was unusual enough that it could be him. I couldn't find any thing on anyone else in the family except for references to the various books that Marie wrote. It left me with some sense of satisfaction to think of Rory as a happy dad. Anyway, thought I would share it with all of you who, like me, are wishing to know more of the story.
Karen
I received "Karen" from my Mom when I was 10 (I'm 16 now), and at the time I didn't think much of it. As a matter of fact, I even said, "You can walk. Big deal!" I wasn't being serious, but I still reget that careless remark. "Karen" is the story of a God-sent child and her remarkable family as they deal with Karen being "affected by" not "afflicted with" Cerebral Palsy. I reread this book whenever I feel lonely, or happy, or disappointed. You'll laugh at the descriptions of their mishaps and the nightly Bible classes between Karen and Rory. You'll grow attatched to the warm characters- both human and animal! You'll experience the family's troubles and triumphs and you'll cry at both. I don't know of anyone who wouldn't have a restored faith in the heart of humanity after reading this book. This book reveals the strength of the disabled and te progress of society toward their acceptance. I am very surprised and saddened to hear about the divorce of Jimmy ad Marie-- who would've guessed? At any rate, they are both strong people in their own right, so don't be disillusioned now! Does anyone know what happend to little Kristin? Anyway :) - Karen is a valuable book for life and how to live it.