Cowboy & Wills: A Love Story

One of the worst books I've ever read

It was difficult to finish this book due to the author's atrocious writing style. The closest I could describe it would be a teenagers journal, and poorly written at that. Anyone familiar with high functioning autistic children can clearly see that her son is not autistic. The author could have paid quite a bit less to buy her son's diagnosis. Though I do feel for any parent raising a child with social difficulties and sensory issues; this book is about a wealthy, narcissistic mother whining about her OCD.

10 out of 14 people found this review helpful.

Awesome book

I loved this book. As a nurse who works with children with Autism it was very true to form. I read it while I was on a plane and couldn't put it down. Horray for Cowboy and Wills

2 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

Cowboy to the Rescue

Monica Holloway's book is not only enjoyable but it's funny as well as heartwarming. Her son, Wills, has autism and no matter how many other pets, activities, or therapy sessions he has, it is not until Cowboy arrives that Wills starts to really thrive in life. His life gets bigger as he opens up to those around him with the help of his little "sister", Cowboy Carol Holloway.

This is a great book, period. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading, especially those with children and/or dogs. It would be a wonderful book for those who have a child or are related to a child with autism.

2 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

highly recommended

A friend of mine recently insisted that I pick up a copy of this book and I'm glad that I did. I loved reading the book and have been telling everybody that I know about it. It appeals to different types of people and different types of readers. Great gift for the holidays!!

2 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

Excellent!

After Old Yeller, I swore never to subject myself to another dog story but i couldn't resist. This is a story of a boy and his dog that is heartfelt, inspiring, and moving. But it is also the story of a mother and her son that goes deeper. Monica Holloway describes what she went through and the many obstacles she refused to accept in order to help her son grow and she successfully does this through moving anecdotes and lighthearted humor. The story bravely concludes that anything is possible through love, patience and laughter. Loved it!

1 out of 12 people found this review helpful.

Great book.

I really loved this book. The love that the author put into every detail of this book really shines through. Had me in tears! I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

Great Book

Excellent story, easy read, heartbreaking moments. If you love Golden
Retrievers this is a must read.

A must read!!

As a mom to a 4 year old daughter with Autism and also a lover of animals, especially Goldens I was drawn to this book. Once I started to read the pages, I couldn't put the book down. I laughed, I cried, I felt like I was not alone. Monica's writing is incredible and the story is a beautiful one that will stay with me forever. I'm giving this book as a gift to friends. It helped heal my heart!! Monica's ability to tell her story and also put her thoughts and feelings into this book made it so powerful. I also loved reading about the therapies, difficult times with peers initially, doing this by yourself with little help from family and the incredible bond this amazing family has. Thank you for writing this book Monica!

One of My Top 5 Books! A MUST READ!

What a wonderful, amazing memoir that Monica Holloway shares with each lucky reader. Holloway writes beautifully and especially after I heard her voice on the short video about this book, I could hear her voice in my head reading to me as I read this book. This is a book filled with emotional tugs at your heart for many reasons. First and foremost, is Wills. Monica's son, Wills, was diagnosed at age three, with autism spectrum disorder. What is now fact is that 1 in 150 children born will be diagnosed with autism of which 1 in 84 are boys. As I was told when I was teaching, if you haven't already found someone in your life with autism, you will very soon. And my last two years teaching, I did indeed have 3 amazing children with autism in my classes...and I consider myself the lucky one to have been part of these very special youngsters who taught me so much. Wills is an amazing, intelligent, lovable child and when one realizes how his autism effects him, it is easier to see why he does things his way and you have to marvel at him as well as how his parents who devote their life and love to this child. His mother had to deal with each of Will's challenges in her own way and one of them was to bring pets into the home. This helped more than she knew and certainly when she did turn to psychologists and specialists she saw how these animals had helped Will to make transitions as it drew him out of his shell. Each hermit crab and rabbit were one more step to winning small battles in his young life. However, when the puppy that Will wanted so much became part of the family, Wills really began to make great strides especially in socialization. Instead of an introverted autistic child, he became a playful young boy who could laugh and enjoy new friends. With each of these small triumphs for Wills, there was also beneficial effects for Monica. She was able to realize that she had also become isolated in Wills' world before Cowboy came along and opened up many doors for both of them. Cowboy Carol Lawrence, an adorable golden retriever, came to Wills for Christmas as a puppy. Monica had a great deal of trouble finding this special dog that Wills wanted, and she finally had to get her from what she thought was a reputable pet store that supposedly didn't deal with puppy mills. Once Cowboy entered their lives, Wills was able to have more control over his life which was very important in dealing with his autism. His ability to transfer his fears and doubts to his loyal pet, helped him to lead a more "normal" childhood. And so, with this precious pup came new found hope. But when Cowboy herself has to face her own problems, she is not alone. She has a family that loves her and supports her in every way they can. As the reader becomes a part of this family's life, you will also feel the pain along with the triumphs that Cowboy, Wills, and his parents experience. Keep your tissues handy, but also enjoy the laughs at what I found to be one of the most enjoyable, well written memoirs I have read in a long time. Thank you, Wills and Monica for the pleasure.

I Laughed, I Cried, I Became a Huge Fan of Monica Holloway

Cowboy & Wills is one of the most touching, heartbreaking, endearing, and honest books I've read in a long time. This story of a loving mother, her adorable son (who happens to be autistic), and the incredible dog who changes their lives, it made me laugh, made me cry, and everything in between. The book takes you right along on the journey with them; I could hardly put it down. Not only is the story itself fascinating, but Holloway's writing really brings it to life.

As the mother of an autistic child, the subject matter definitely hit home with me. But the writing is what made me an instant fan of Monica Holloway. I highly recommend this book. (Did I mention that I'm on my second reading?)

A Mom's Choice Awards Recipient!

Cowboy & Wills is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. The Mom's Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of PBS's Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, and New York Times best-selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books. . Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families.

Cowboy & Wills Gives Hope

Memoirs like this can be maudlin and saccharine, but Holloway manages to walk the reader through her difficult situation with nuance, humor and originality. The tears that are shed while reading this book are well-earned, not easy shots. I learned so much about the day-to-day tribulations of raising a child with autism. The highs and lows are moving, compounded by the drama of the dog's own health. I would recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a way to reach a child with autism. It gives hope when there is darkness all around.

Just wonderful.

I could not love this book more. An inspirational story told in a clear-eyed, unsentimental way, yet it had me in tears by the end. I won't give anything away, but this is a real three hankie book! Read it and fall in love with Wills and his dog.

Just wonderful.

I could not love this book more. An inspirational story told in a clear-eyed, unsentimental way, yet it had me in tears by the end. I won't give anything away, but this is a real three hankie book! Read it and fall in love with Wills and his dog.

A wonderful touching book.

I could not love this book more. An inspirational story told in a clear-eyed, unsentimental way, yet it had me in tears by the end. I won't give anything away, but this is a real three hankie book! Read it and fall in love with Wills and his dog.

Enchanting and Honest and Sweet

An amazing writer's second book. Glorious! You must read this book. Life changing!

EXCEPTIONAL BOOK!!

A must read for anyone who cares about children or dogs or families. So touching, but very honest. You'll fall in love with little Wills and the sweet Cowboy. Wonderful read!

Endearing, brave and funny

This book is a journey for a family of three (plus one remarkable golden retriever) toward a better understanding of what being a family really means, what's important, and the true miracles that love can accomplish. A winner!

0 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

Touching Story of a Boy & his Dog!

Full disclosure: I am a pet owner. Specifically, I have three cats (two Siamese and one domestic shorthair) and two dogs (both Labrador Retrievers). The joy that my furry crew bring into my life is commensurate with the destruction that they cause (carpets used as scratching posts, furniture as teething toys and assorted electronics and apparel as edible snacks). And don't get me started on the retirement funds spent on vet bills (the local emergency vets know my gang by name!). Still I have never in my life been petless - a furry face has always been a part of my family. All this is my longwinded way of saying that any book that features a furry face has me from the cover, so with my admitted bias, below is my review of Cowboy & Wills.

When Monica Holloway's son, Wills, is diagnosed with autism she flees to the pet store to purchase an aquatic fish wonderland. This is a pattern that repeats itself with each blow that the family suffers - bad news leads to a new fill-in-the-blank pet: hermit crab; land turtle; hamster; rabbit; and, eventually, the top of Wills' pet wish - a puppy!

When Cowboy Carol Lawrence, a female golden retriever, enters Wills' life he begins to enter the world around him. Holloway describes the stark transformation:

With Cowboy in between himself and the crowd, Wills was able to answer most of their [his classmates'] questions. Everyone suddenly now knew Wills. We'd hit an unexpected gold mine. Wills was making his social debut. Cowboy on her purple leash, was leading Wills into the world of his peers, one that both terrified and beckoned him.

Without revealing any spoilers, Cowboy & Wills is a touching three hanky tribute to the powerful bond of a boy and his dog.

Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment (October 6, 2009), 288 pages.
Advance Review Copy Provided Courtesy of the Publisher.

0 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

No text was provided for this review.