Forever Boy
USA TODAY and WALL STREET JOURNAL Bestseller
Featured on NBC’s THE TODAY SHOW
AMAZON BEST OF THE MONTH Pick: Nonfiction
Read excerpts in PARENTS MAGAZINE and THEWEEK.COM
With her popular blog, Finding Cooper's Voice, Kate Swenson has provided hope and comfort for hundreds of thousands of parents of children with Autism. Now, Kate shares her inspiring story in this powerful memoir about motherhood and unconditional love
When Kate Swenson’s son Cooper was diagnosed with severe, nonverbal autism, her world stopped. She had always dreamed of having the perfect family life. She hadn’t signed up for life as a mother raising a child with a disability.
At first, Kate experienced the grief of broken dreams. Then she felt the frustration and exhaustion of having to fight for your child in a world that is stacked against them. But through hard work, resilience and personal growth, she would come to learn that Cooper wasn’t the one who needed to change. She was. And it was this transformation that led Kate to acceptance—and ultimately joy.
In Forever Boy, Kate shares her inspiring journey with honesty and compassion, offering solace and hope to others on this path and illuminating the strength and perseverance of mothers. Forever Boy was released on April 5, 2022.
Dear Reader,
When you have a child diagnosed with something, anything, your world changes in an instant. It gets smaller for one. Suddenly, you feel like you are the only person on this planet going through this unique thing. And you feel alone. I know I sure did. I can say for certain that the beginning of my journey into autism would have been entirely different if I had found someone who I could relate to. This book will do that for you. As you read, I hope you find yourself nodding along, finally feeling understood in something that can feel so isolating. But also seeing hope and joy in a little boy and a misunderstood diagnosis.
Whether you have autism in your life or not, I hope you enjoy reading Forever Boy. And that the yellow-haired boy who adores trains and covers his ears at the grocery store impacts you in a positive way. So next time you see autism, you choose grace and kindness.
—Kate Swenson
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Kate Swenson discussing Forever Boy on Twin Cities Live TV
Forever Boy in the News
Editorial Reviews
"Until the late twentieth century, autism was hidden in plain sight. Now it’s a public health priority and focus of extensive research. However, it remains a black box. While we wait for answers, extraordinary people like Kate Swenson, through their dedicated and resourceful efforts have taken it upon themselves to create a nurturing environment in which children like Cooper can grow and thrive. Forever Boy will be an inspiration to all who face the challenge of caring for special needs children." —Dr. Jeffrey A. Lieberman, Lawrence C. Kolb Professor and Chairman of Psychiatry, Columbia University
“Forever Boy is a candid journey through the beauty and battles of having a child with autism. Kate blends wit and wisdom in an unapologetic account of marriage, motherhood and unconditional love. She captures the struggles, expectations and reality all parents face while advocating for their children. It's a story of unexpected loss; enduring hope and most importantly, newfound understanding. It should be mandatory reading for teachers or for anyone who has children or is thinking of having children.” –Colin Balfe, founder of Love What Matters
"Kate Swenson has pulled the curtain back to show first-hand the challenges of life with a child with severe autism. For those who are in the dark about the disability, or know little about it, her story will be an eye opener." —Valerie Gilpeer, co-author of I Have Been Buried Under Years of Dust
“This wise, inspiring book will appeal to not only parents of children with autism, but anyone interested in stories about the selflessness and endurance of maternal love. A candid and hopeful addition to the personal literature on pediatric autism.” –KIRKUS
“Kate’s heartfelt, candid narrations of her experience have drawn 900,000 followers to the social media accounts of her blog, Finding Cooper’s Voice. Her memoir… lays the emotional turmoil of it bare….the message she shares – of emotional honestly leading to personal growth resonates far beyond autism to reach anyone for whom life has thrown a curveball…..her recounting the private moments that fracture a marriage, and the ones that repair it, is among the book’s most powerful aspects” –STAR TRIBUNE
“Kate Swenson’s poignant account of life with an autistic child will encourage other families to go the extra mile…. Swenson, a skilled wordsmith who contributes to media sources to spread her words about parenting special-needs children, urges others to do likewise, reminding parents of autistic children that they are lucky “to have this beautiful, amazing, perfect child to be their teacher.” -BOOKREPORTER.COM
“Swenson’s account of raising a son with severe autism should attract a big audience” —Library Journal Prepub Alert: Memoir, Parents & Children