Daddy's Heart My Heart The Purple Heart - Softcover

The authors convey Jewel's point of view well, capturing her tween self-consciousness and the scariness of a father who can't always control himself. When she tells him that "I would rather have you this way than not at all," the message is both loving and stark, a realistic nod to the losses faced by military families. But rather than citing any societal or governmental responsibility for taking care of veterans, the book...focuses on what children should do--"send cards to the VA hospital, raise money for research or medications." -Kirkus Reviews


Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orfordfor Readers' Favorite

Jewel is both excited and very nervous. It's herfirst day in a new school in a new town. It's not the first time she's had tostart a new school. In fact, it happens more often than she would like. Herfather is in the military and the family gets moved around from one post toanother. The excitement is in the anticipation of making new friends and havinga fresh new start. But nerves generate from the tension at home. Her father,whom she loves very much, has just returned from combat missions overseas. He'salive and not physically injured, but he suffers from violent nightmares, bothday and night. Jewel's father has PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.Jewel's first day goes better than expected. She makes a new friend, Brittany,who promises to drop by after school. When the doorbell rings at Jewel's house,her father answers. Before Brittany even gets inside, Jewel's father is yellingat her to get off his property. Brittany runs off in fear. Jewel's second dayat school, consequently, is a real life nightmare.

PTSD is, sadly, a misunderstood and certainly a very under-diagnosed conditionthat affects not only military personnel, but anyone working in the capacity ofa protector of the peace - a police officer and even a paramedic can sufferfrom PTSD. Angela Kohout, Madeline Murillo, and Elizabeth Sagi have written abeautiful story that really touches the heart and helps its readers understandthe far-reaching effects of PTSD. Their book, Daddy's Heart - My Heart - ThePurple Heart, although written for young readers, is a powerful story thathelps us all understand the traumatic effects of living with a loved onesuffering from PTSD, and points out that the most important ingredients intreating this disease are compassion, understanding, and patience. Very welldone! Beautifully presented.

2016 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist

Foreword Reviews' 2015 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award: Honorable Mention Winner

Winner of the 2016 Skipping Stones Honor Book Award!

Winner of the 2016 Purple Dragonfly Book Award!

Winner of the 2016 Bookvana Award!  (Children's Educational Division)

Honorable Mention 2016 Readers Favorites Book Award (Children's Educational Division)