For a child grappling with the arrival of a new, troubled family member, this story explores the complexities of empathy, family, and understanding unspoken pain.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is trying to understand a new family member, like a foster or step-sibling, who is withdrawn due to trauma. The Trouble with Donovan Croft follows a young boy, Keith, whose life is turned upside down when his family begins fostering Donovan, a boy who has stopped speaking after a family tragedy. The story powerfully explores Keith's journey from resentment to empathy as he tries to uncover the source of Donovan's silent pain. It's a deeply moving, realistic story for readers 9-12 that opens up conversations about grief, kindness, and what it truly means to be a family.
Set in 1970s London. Some slang, cultural norms, and settings might feel dated or unfamiliar.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with the trauma of parental abandonment and the death of a grandparent, which are presented as the cause of Donovan's selective mutism. The approach is secular and realistic. The resolution is hopeful (Donovan speaks) but also grounded, acknowledging that the underlying family problems are not magically fixed. It is a realistic portrayal of trauma's effects.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful, empathetic child aged 9 to 12. It is particularly suited for a child in a family that is fostering or has welcomed a new step-sibling, especially one who is withdrawn. It's also excellent for any child trying to understand a quiet or seemingly “different” peer at school who may be dealing with unseen struggles.
Parent Prep
Parents should be ready to discuss heavy topics like parental abandonment, grief, and trauma-induced mutism. The bullying scenes are realistic and can be a point of conversation. The book can be read cold, but parents may want to pre-read to be prepared for the emotional depth and the frankness of the family's struggles. A parent hears their child express frustration or confusion about a new sibling or a quiet classmate, saying something like, “Why won’t he talk to me?” or “It’s not fair, he gets all the attention.”
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will connect with the central mystery of why Donovan is silent and the challenges of friendship and school life. An older reader (10-12) will better appreciate the psychological complexity, the social commentary on the working-class family's struggles, and the nuanced portrayal of trauma's impact.
What Makes It Special
What makes this book unique is its focus on the existing child's (Keith's) emotional journey, rather than solely the traumatized child's. We experience Donovan's pain through Keith's limited, often confused perspective, which mirrors a real child's experience. Its unvarnished, 1970s working-class London setting gives it a raw authenticity that distinguishes it from more modern, therapeutically-framed stories.
Read plot summary
Keith's family takes in Donovan Croft, a boy who has become selectively mute after his mother abandons him and his grandmother dies. The story is told from Keith’s perspective, charting his emotional journey from jealousy and frustration with this silent newcomer to a deep, protective empathy. Keith navigates school bullying directed at Donovan and family tensions as he slowly pieces together the reasons for Donovan's trauma, culminating in a dramatic climax where Keith's actions finally help Donovan speak again.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
At the beginning, Keith is frustrated and a little jealous of Donovan. How do his feelings change? What event do you think was the biggest turning point for Keith?
2
Donovan can't use words to tell people what he's feeling. What are some of the ways he shows his sadness or fear without talking? How does Keith learn to understand him?
3
Tony and his friends bully Donovan at school. Why do you think they chose to pick on him? What could other students, like Keith, have done to help?
4
Why do you think the trip to see the ship, the 'Sir Donovan', was so important to Donovan? What did it represent for him and his father?
