The Martian Child by David Gerrold

[Gravy]

David Gerrold, science fiction author and screenwriter, is missing something in his life. Finally, he decides to become a father. The emotional labor pains of adoption are the last steps of a process he's put so much time and effort into. Finally approved, but knowing his chances are slim, he, nevertheless, begins the search for 'his' child.

Eight years old, Dennis has been abused, teased, bullied, diagnosed with ADHD (and consequently, medicated), moved from place to place, and has even had to testify in court. 'Damaged goods' is a nice way to put it...his caseworkers call him "hard to place", which virtually means "unadoptable".

And, if that's not enough, he thinks he's a Martian.

An atypical love story, where a father and son find one another, is what this book is really about. Pseudo-autobiographical, and all over entertaining, David and Dennis show how selfless love, and understanding, can heal even the most broken heart.

In turns humorous and heartbreaking, this story is a beautiful example of the limitless possibilities of love.

The Martian Child on Bookshelves

[PashaRu]

Nice review, Gravy....why aren't you on the review team???

[Gravy]

Thank you, Pasha, but I think the review team is better off without me
Rarely am I so articulate
I give credit to the book for inspiring it

[PashaRu]

Even so, I read the little reviews you post once in a while. I don't always leave a comment, but your brevity and concision are refreshing and...may I add, kind of cute.

[Gravy]

High praise indeed

[ALynnPowers]

Hey, this is the book you were telling me about. Cute!

[Gravy]

It is very sweet
And...I'm a bit of a wimp for sweet

I also just realised something...
Pasha reviewed my reviews, on a review. I'm stuck in a review paradox!

[PashaRu]

Haha sorry, sometimes I slip into "analyze it" mode and am unaware of it myself.

[Gravy]

Well, I thank you

[ALynnPowers]

Pasha enjoys good writing to a good story, just for the record.

Oh my, I have just told his secret.

[PashaRu]

Pasha enjoys good writing to a good story, just for the record.

Oh my, I have just told his secret.

Great, now my crime-fighting potential as a mysterious, shadowy, phantom figure will be severely reduced.

[ALynnPowers]

My mind is now blown in attempts to figure out how these two comments are related. Thanks for that.

[Gravy]

I think I've figured it out

Tell me if I'm wrong...Pasha's a ninja?!

[PashaRu]

Made perfect sense to me at the time. And it still does, kind of. Sometimes I think that my brain works the same as everyone else's, and then I say something and either 1) the room goes silent or 2) someone gives me an oh-my-god-I-think-you-are-slightly-insane look, and I see that I am really Antarctica head - cold, dark, unexplored, and probably a few penguins walking around.

Oh, dear. I think I just did it again.

[Gravy]

Made perfect sense to me at the time. And it still does, kind of. Sometimes I think that my brain works the same as everyone else's, and then I say something and either 1) the room goes silent or 2) someone gives me an oh-my-god-I-think-you-are-slightly-insane look, and I see that I am really Antarctica head - cold, dark, unexplored, and probably a few penguins walking around.

Oh, dear. I think I just did it again.

Been there. Mine's more like the ocean, though. Just replace the penguins with sharks and colossal squid