Review by lillymarie -- That Place of Knowledge

[lillymarie]

[Following is a volunteer review of "That Place of Knowledge" by Philip Alan Shalka.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Sabre, an autism assistance dog, is the perfect voice to narrate The Place of Knowledge. On an ordinary day, Sabre’s partner, Philip, does something unexpected which leads them to explore another world. The characters are inspired to learn and experience other ways of thinking. Philip learns of different areas to expand his knowledge and the purpose behind this goal of wisdom. As Sabre and Philip speak with their friend in this new world, Aristotle reminds Philip that we are all unique and can use who we are to make a difference in the world.

This short story is a simple and refreshing reminder that knowledge is a gift and it is our job to learn and improve our world, no matter who we are. “Your abilities are unique. So, you might not be understood by others. But this does not limit who you are,” Aristotle taught to Philip. You see Philip’s confidence increase as he makes new discoveries and shares his joy with his dog, Sabre.

Author, Philip Shalka, opens this story with his own reflection on happiness. Through this, he introduces himself along with his method and perspective on how to be happy. “When it comes to your happiness, knowledge of yourself is the answer,” Shalka said. Shalka himself is autistic and non-verbal. Knowing the background of Shalka gives this story more meaning to the reader by being able to fully appreciate the underlining message of finding fulfillment, regardless of your life situation. Shalka had a desire to share his life experiences and feels it is important to inspire others; this was the purpose of writing The Place of Knowledge.

Though there was no big climax to look forward to, it was still a pleasant read because of the easy flow. I would recommend it as a teaching tool for young people or a simple reminder for yourself, to embrace differences and always continue to expand your knowledge and push forward towards something greater. The message was one that I greatly appreciated; a basic yet inspiring interpretation on the human mind and all the potential embedded within each of us.

Overall, I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. The plot development isn’t strong, however the voice is one of inspiration. After reading, I felt an overall sense of satisfaction and encouragement. Shalka shows us all that indeed, anything is possible if we passionately put forth the effort.

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That Place of Knowledge
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