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Published Jul 2010
304 pages
Genre: Biography/Memoir
Publication Information
The New York Times references Elaine Hall as "The Child Whisperer." Her profound bond with children has been the defining force of her life and has led her to the successive miracles she documents with grace, humor and heart in her memoir: Now I See the Moon: A Mother, a Son, a Miracle.
Elaine was an A-list Hollywood acting coach for children when she learned that she could not have biological children. She adopted a beautiful two year old boy from Russia, who was subsequently diagnosed with severe autism. Refusing to heed the admonitions to "send him back" she used her professional knowledge and wisdom garnered from leading, humanistic authorities on autism to guide him through the inspiring, miraculous journey that has made him the happy, increasingly independent teenager that he is now.
Drawing on that experience, she went on to create The Miracle Project, through which she took on the seemingly impossible task of engaging children on the autistic spectrum to create and perform an original musical. Sparked by her conviction that involvement in the performing arts has the power to transform, her program has been a triumph, the subject of the award winning HBO documentary, and a miracle shared by all who witness it or participate in it. Elaine Hall believes in miracles, and so will anyone who reads her personal account of how faith, persistence and love can bring them into being. The title of the book comes from an ancient Chinese Proverb: My barn burned down, but now I can see the moon.
"Starred Review. [An] especially timely, painstakingly positive work." - Publishers Weekly
"A moving, unvarnished look at living with autism and a helpful guide to action." - Kirkus Reviews
"This serene and spiritual account of bringing up a shrewd, loveable and intelligent autistic boy also sparkles with the exuberant tale of how Elaine founded The Miracle Project, a terrific theatre group for autistic and ‘typical’ kids alike. The book goes far beyond 'brave,' and well into 'spectacular.'" - Carolyn See, author of Making a Literary Life
"Now I See the Moon provides insightful ways to teach and work with individuals with autism and severe disabilities. It will give parents great hope." - Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures
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