Tag Archives: Autism

Can You See Me?

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Can You See Me? by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott

Book of the Week: 10 November 2019

Cover designer/illustrator not credited

‘One thing that you should probably know about me early on is that I’m autistic. I have autism.’ says Tally in her diary at the beginning of the book. She is about to start secondary school and is worried about getting lost, making friends and having her head flushed down the toilet. Her sister Nell assures her that this  only happens to ‘mouthy kids that don’t know when to shut up’, but Tally continues to worry about germs, making eye contact and her urge to wear a tiger mask in public.

Once she gets to school, her literal interpretation of events and total honesty lead to all kinds of complications, some of them funny and others distressing.

The author Rebecca Westcott tells most of the story, with Libby Scott (who is autistic herself) writing Tally’s diary entries. Between them, they create a cast of rounded characters who engage our empathy and make us feel their frustrations and triumphs.

If you liked Wonder by R.J. Palacio, or books such as The Light Jar by Lisa Thompson, this is definitely one to try.

How to Look for a Lost Dog

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How to Look for a Lost Dog by Ann M. Martin

Book of the Week: 7 April 2019

Illustrator not credited

When you are looking for your lost dog you need a plan. You should draw radiating circles around your home town on a map, each one further away from the centre of your town. Then you telephone all the animal shelters within 15 miles, 30 miles and 60 miles to see if they have your pet. Rose is methodical and fond of rules, although not as interested in them as she is in prime numbers and homonyms, so this is her plan when her father lets their dog Rain out during Hurricane Susan and she doesn’t come home.

Rose’s father is finding life difficult since her mother left them alone. He resents what he sees as the interference of his brother Weldon in Rose’s upbringing and finds Rose’s fascination with homonyms tests his patience to its limit. When a hurricane strands them in their house and Rose is distraught about their missing pet, the situation gets to breaking point.

The inclusion of a dog and a central character who is autistic make the comparison with The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time an obvious one, but this is a book for younger readers and is in a lighter vein. You might enjoy it if you liked Wonder by R.J. Palacio or The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd.

Warwickshire Book Award 2019

The winner of the Warwickshire Book Award was announced on Thursday 4 April as S.T.A.G.S. by M.A. Bennett. The Year 7 judges and I were lucky enough to hear all six shortlisted authors talk about their work at The Bridge House Theatre, Warwick. Now the judges have read the shortlist, all the books are available to borrow from the Tim Pigott-Smith Library if you are looking for reading ideas for the holidays. If anything you want to read is already on loan, remember that reserving books is absolutely free.

I Have No Secrets

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I Have No Secrets by Penny Joelson

Book of the Week: 4 February 2018

Cover design by L. Horton

A crime story told from the unique perspective of fourteen-year-old Jemma who uses a wheelchair and has cerebral palsy. Jemma lives with her foster parents who also care for Finn, who has autism, and sparky Olivia who has emotional difficulties. Jemma is unable to speak, communicate or control her muscles but she is intelligent and observant and sees things that other people miss. She knows, for example, that the charming Dan, who is dating her carer Sarah, is not all he seems. He displays quite a different attitude when he is alone with Jemma, believing she is powerless. Jemma is desperate to let everyone know what Dan has done, but how can she protect her family when her options are limited?

This is not only a tense story but one that gives readers a rare insight into living with a disability. Jemma is a great character and there are some real lump-in-the-throat moments as well as some anxious ones.

World Book Day 1 March 2018

I Have No Secrets also happens to be one of the books on special offer for World Book Day on 1 March. This year is a little different from previous years insomuch as you will be able to swap your coupon (plus £1.50 payment) for one of five full-length books. These five books are aimed at secondary school readers and are by John Green, Frances Hardinge, Benjamin Zephaniah, Taran Matharu and Penny Joelson. Have a look here. Vouchers will be distributed to every student in School after half-term.

 

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