Harmony

Harmony follows Alexandra Hammond as she enrolls her two daughters in an experimental camp called the New Horizons Program, led by child development expert Scott Bean. The family leaves their Washington, DC home to join other families at a remote compound in New Hampshire, hoping to find solutions for their 13-year-old daughter Tilly, who is on the autism spectrum. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of Alexandra and her 11-year-old daughter Iris, moving between their present experiences at the camp and memories of their life before New Horizons. Through their voices, the story reveals the challenges and complexities of raising a child who does not fit standard developmental patterns. The camp's isolation and Scott Bean's unconventional methods create tension as the Hammonds navigate their new reality. Questions emerge about trust, sacrifice, and the lengths parents will go to help their children. This novel examines the intersection of family bonds, desperation, and the search for answers in a world that often fails to accommodate neurodiversity. The story raises questions about authority, expertise, and the vulnerability of parents seeking solutions for their children.

Readers appreciate the realistic portrayal of parenting a child with autism and the raw emotional struggles of the mother-daughter relationships. The alternating perspectives between mother Alexandra and daughter Iris provide insight into both sides of their family dynamic. What readers liked: - Complex family relationships - Accurate depiction of living with autism - Strong character development - Suspenseful buildup - Beautiful writing style What readers disliked: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Unresolved plot threads - Some found the camp setting unrealistic - Wanted more closure at the ending Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (160+ ratings) "The mother's desperation feels painfully real" - Goodreads reviewer "Parkhurst captures sibling dynamics perfectly" - Amazon reviewer "The ending left too many questions" - LibraryThing review "A touching look at family bonds under pressure" - Barnes & Noble review

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🌟 The author, Carolyn Parkhurst, was inspired to write Harmony after her own experiences parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder. 🏕️ The camp depicted in the book, Camp Harmony, reflects a growing real-world trend of "therapeutic communities" and alternative living arrangements for families with neurodiverse children. 📚 The novel employs multiple narrators, including 13-year-old Tilly (who is on the autism spectrum) and her 11-year-old sister Iris, offering unique perspectives on family dynamics. 🎭 Before writing Harmony, Parkhurst worked as a dog trainer and wrote The Dogs of Babel, which became a national bestseller and was translated into 32 languages. 🏆 The book received widespread critical acclaim and was named one of the Best Books of 2016 by Real Simple magazine and was featured as an Indie Next Pick.