Journalist/author Marc Littman has created a cast of enchanting characters to tell a heartrending and heartwarming story of the struggles faced by those challenged by special needs and the challenges faced by those who care for them in "Eddie and Me on the Scrap Heap."

 Having an autistic child has cost "Ice Queen," Amy, her husband, her career as a lawyer, and as far as she is concerned her life. Determined to make sure there is nothing left to lose, Amy locks her heart. Even to her son. But she reluctantly accepts the help when her mother insists she allow her down-on-his-luck brother to come live with her and act as nanny.

Nate Newman has "no digs, no gigs" and no choice but to head back to LA from New York and help his "Ice Queen" sister, Amy, take care of his nephew. But it doesn't look good when within minutes of stepping in the door he accidently steps on the kid's mock-up of Whoville.

"You're fired, Uncle Natie! I'm going to throw you into space and you'll never come back again...ever!"

But when Nate grabs up his gear, his guitar slips and hits the floor and the bond is formed. Music.

Instead of pursuing his art, Jake, complete with eye patch and parrot on his shoulder, rules over his family's junkyard business from the helm of his "pirate ship" perched on stilts over his office. He welcomes the visits from his childhood friend, Nate, and enjoys sharing some of the hidden treasures of his junkyard with Nate's nephew Eddie.

Sharon is a practicing white witch with a haunted past. When she pulls into the Jolly Roger U-pick junkyard to see if she can get her car fixed, she sees the potential in the challenged child and a possible potential future in his uncle.

“Do they junk people, too, Uncle Natie?"

Eddie tries to be good. He wants to make friends. He wants to fit in with his family. Most of all, nine-year-old Eddie wants to make his mother proud of him. But Eddie is autistic, a genius in some areas but unable to comprehend or deal with simple day-to-day life and rules he is afraid he will end up on life's scrap heap. Unwanted. Tossed away. Like the cars in his Uncle Nate's friend Jake's junkyard. Maybe music is the key to unlock his mother's heart,find his place, and make his way. Because despite his challenges, Eddie
has a gift for music and he can play his uncle's guitar "like a ring in a bell."

Can his dysfunctional family and a group of misfit friends overcome their own prejudices and challenges and help Eddie deal with the challenges of his autism and life in an intolerant and unacepting society, or will their attempts to make him fit scrap all hope from his heart?

A junkyard pirate, witch, and a Jewish reggae singer. Despite being intrigued by the story line when queried about doing a review of "Eddie and Me on the Scrap Heap" I wasn't really sure about what I was getting into. And the initial block of Jamaican dialect had me putting it down, almost. Because as I set the book on the table, back side up, the blurb on the back had me picking it up again. I am so glad. The dialect that first so distracted me is rare and character setting. The scenes in the setting of the junkyard are humorous and fun. The characters are welcome new friends despite, or maybe because of their flaws and foibles. And Eddie, Eddie is a gift.

 Littman crafts a story like Eddie plays guitar. "Eddie and Me on the Scrap Heap," "rings like a bell," a wake up bell, a lesson in life, love, understanding and acceptance, this story will ring in mind and heart long after the final page is turned.

Marc Littman has worked as a reporter, editor and  free-lance journalist and in public relations for more than 20 years. Marc makes  his living as a corporate writer but creative writing is his passion. He has earned numerous awards for short stories and screenplays. The author writes from experience tempered with ample research. His writing is life- affirming and often funny, but his message is serious. Through Eddie and Me on the Scrap Heap  he wants to help change the way people look at children and adults who are challenged. Sure, they have weaknesses they must struggle with daily to overcome, but they often compensate with remarkable strengths. Having raised a  child with special needs, the author has unique insight. Marc has encountered  some very interesting characters as a journalist that he weaves into his novel,  but he couldn’t write Eddie and Me on the Scrap Heap until he was inspired by  his son to tell his story.

 Reviewed by Charlene Austin
www.carrielynnlyons.com

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