Review of Tim Tim Timmy

[Bertha Jackson]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Tim Tim Timmy" by Mark Metcalf.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Parents often expected their children to do as they were told without question, and if they acted out, they believed it was something that would be outgrown, as it was just a phase they were going through. Mark was six, and Roy was four when Timmy was born. As young children, the older boys thought it was fun to tease Timmy until he cried. It was easy to tease Timmy because his learning and behavioral problems made him different from the other kids. During the time the boys were growing up, it was common for physical wounds to be treated and bandaged, but no thought was given to the emotional trauma they may have suffered. When Timmy couldn't learn, he was called "dumb." Mark's son, Julius, was diagnosed as being neurodiverse, and he could see similarities between what Julius was going through compared to Timmy. What happened to Timmy? What will Julius's life be like? What does being neurodiverse mean?

In Tim Tim Timmy by Mark Metcalf, the author takes us on a journey through time, revealing how society has changed and learned more about those we consider different. One of my favorite aspects of this book is the author's honesty in showing how people thought and acted in the earlier years. Learning disabilities and mental health were not something anyone ever considered back then. I remember my parents saying someone's behavior was a phase they would grow out of. In fact, I was guilty of saying this as well when I was raising my children. Wearing my sister's hand-me-down clothing never affected my emotions, self-esteem, self-worth, or confidence, but after reading this book, I can see how it could have. I could also relate to Julius's reaction to Ritalin, as my child reacted the same way. One of the main takeaways from this book is how society and culture can influence a child's developmental years. Many readers may find the list of Asperger's symptoms that the author included in the narrative helpful. There are lessons about laughter's effect on stress and communication, the difference between pleasure and joy, and more throughout this book's storyline. It was interesting to learn that some New York apartments have bathtubs in the kitchen. As an actor, the author knew a lot of quotes from William Shakespeare, John Steinbeck, Samuel Beckett, and others that he shared at the beginning of each chapter and throughout the narrative. One of the most thought-provoking ones was by Samuel Beckett: "We are all born mad. Some remain so."

There was nothing I disliked about this exceptionally well–edited book. It was well-written, had no errors, and gave me a lot to think about, especially when I see someone who appears different from those around them. Since I have lived through many years of cultural change and society's growth in learning about a person's chemistry, it was refreshing to see how this has impacted individuals for the better. Nothing about this book would have justified giving it less than 5 out of 5 stars.

Anyone interested in learning about behavior and learning disabilities should read this book. It provides the history of how they were not recognized and how they are handled in society today. If bullying, suicide, and non-borderline profanity trigger you, you will want to avoid this book.

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Tim Tim Timmy
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[patricia MGBEMENA]

There are a lot of trauma which children go through and this impacts their life on the long run either positive or negatively. I would love to learn more about Timmy.

[Joe Alex 2]

From your review, what stands out to me about “Tim Tim Timmy” is its honest details of how society’s understanding of learning disabilities and mental health has evolved over time. I’d like to read it to gain a deeper perspective on how past attitudes toward neurodiversity have shaped present awareness.