Title: L’enfant qui ne pleurait pas
Author: Torey L. Hayden
First published January 1, 1980
256 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9782290216064 (ISBN10: 2290216062)
Rating: 4.23
Overview
At six years old, Sheila has already endured a traumatic past. Abandoned by her mother at a highway rest stop and abused by her father, she knows only pain and fear until the day she, too, turns to violence.
It is this terrified child that Torey welcomes into her classroom, this infinitely wounded girl whom she will gradually learn to tame and love. Because behind the mask of fear lies an intelligent and lively little girl who, by allowing herself to cry, will finally give herself permission to laugh.
About the Author
Torey L. Hayden, born on May 21, 1951 in Livingston, Montana, is a child psychologist, special education teacher, university lecturer, and author.
Her books are based on personal experiences of teaching and counseling children with special needs. Hayden specializes in elective mutism, formerly known as selective mutism, as well as autism, Tourette syndrome, sexual abuse, and fetal alcohol syndrome.
Hayden graduated from high school in Billings, Montana in 1969, then attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. After writing her most well-known book, Hayden moved to Wales in 1980 and married a Scottish man named Ken two years later.
Her daughter Sheena was born in 1985, but Hayden is now divorced.
In addition to her non-fiction books, Hayden has also written three works of fiction.
Editoral Review
L’enfant qui ne pleurait pas by Torey L. Hayden is a memoir that tells the story of a determined special education teacher who sets out to help a young orphaned girl who has seemingly lost her ability to cry.
First published in 1980, this book is a classic in the genre of memoirs and true stories of teachers who make a difference in children’s lives. Torey L.
Hayden is the author of multiple books about her experiences working with special education children. She writes in a straightforward style that is easy to understand and engaging for readers of all ages.
In her memoir, L’enfant qui ne pleurait pas, Hayden shares her innermost thoughts and feelings about her experiences working with a severely traumatized child. The main character of the book is Sheila, a young girl who has been orphaned by her parents and placed in a special education class with Hayden.
Sheila is mute and unresponsive to nearly everyone in her life. Hayden sets out to help her by building a relationship with her and working to uncover the reasons for her trauma.
As she becomes more involved in Sheila’s life, Hayden discovers the depth of the girl’s pain and sets out to help her heal. The author does a wonderful job of building up the character of Sheila and making the reader feel invested in her story.
The setting of the book, a special education classroom in the 1970s, adds a unique historical context to the story. Hayden’s writing style is engaging and the pacing of the story is perfect, with each chapter building upon the last in a way that keeps the reader interested.
One of the strengths of L’enfant qui ne pleurait pas is the way it explores the complexities of trauma and how it impacts children. Hayden does a great job of bringing the reader into the mind of a traumatized child and showing how difficult it can be to help a child who has experienced intense pain and suffering.
The themes of resilience, friendship, and hope are also explored in a way that is both heartwarming and realistic. The weakness of the book, however, is its lack of detail in some areas.
Some readers may find the author could have dug deeper into certain issues and explored them more fully. Additionally, some of the dialogue between characters can be a bit stilted, especially when dealing with difficult subject matter.
Overall, L’enfant qui ne pleurait pas by Torey L. Hayden is a touching and engaging memoir that provides insight into the lives of children who have experienced severe trauma.
Readers who enjoy memoirs and stories about teachers who make a difference will find this book inspiring and thought-provoking. It raises important questions about how we can help children who have gone through traumatic events and how we can create safe spaces for them to heal.
Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: Readers who are interested in true stories about special education and the impact that teachers can have on the lives of their students. This book would also be a great read for those interested in the psychology of trauma and healing.
