Ages: 10 and up
Book Description (from Amazon) - Caitlin has Asperger's. The world according to her is black and white; anything in between is confusing. Before, when things got confusing, Caitlin went to her older brother, Devon, for help. But Devon has died, and Caitlin's dad is so distraught that he is just not helpful. Caitlin wants everything to go back to the way things were, but she doesn't know how to do that. Then she comes across the word closure- and she realizes this is what she needs. And in her search for it, Caitlin discovers that the world may not be black and white after all.
Why it is marvelous - The age range listed on Amazon is 10 and up, but I found this book because it is on the list of nominees for the WLMA Sasquatch Award. So I know a lot of younger kids are reading it this year, which may not be a bad thing. There are some mature topics as the main character's brother dies in a school shooting, but I think the underlying theme here is bringing to light differences in people and how they can be accepted despite those differences. Anyone can be a friend, and anyone can teach us how to be a better person if we are open to those things. Hopefully the kids reading this book have paid attention and have a little more compassion because they chose to pick it up.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM) was created by Shannon Messenger. To find other bloggers participating in MMGM go to her blog for a list of links.
Hadn't heard of this, but it sounds good. Thanks for reviewing it.
ReplyDeleteWhat I loved most about this book was the understanding my kids and I had of what it feels like to live in an Aspergers mind. It was the first book that did that for us.
ReplyDeleteInteresting:)
ReplyDeleteSounds like it could be a really helpful book. I used to work special ed at the school district and I love to see accurate portrayals of some of the challenges these kids face. It can really help people understand more about it.
ReplyDeleteI've read this one! The author did a nice job of showing what Caitlin's world was like.
ReplyDeleteI was very impressed by this book. And I second what Barbara said about learning what it's like to have Asperger syndrome from reading it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review of mockingbird. It was a book I had not come across. Seems to be a growing number of books about kids with special needs. I welcome great ones like this.
ReplyDeleteI read this book and loved it. Caitlin is such a great character and one that will hopefully make readers understand people with Asperger's Syndrome better. We had the chance to interview the author and it was wonderful to learn what inspired her story. My heart still goes out to Caitlin after all this time. Thanks for sharing! Great review!
ReplyDelete~Jess