This is a slim non-fiction book written by an middle school student with autism. It is a super fast read and would be great for teachers, guidance counselors or anyone who wants to help facilitate relationships between children with autism and their peers. I’d also recommend it to elementary librarians for inclusion in their collections.
Daniel does try to point out that every child with autism is different, but sometimes overgeneralizes interests and abilities. Ultimately though, the suggestions he offers on how to be a good friend are pretty universal. Cute illustrations help to make the book even more user-friendly.
Great for: Encouraging and facilitating relationships between ASD children and their classmates or peer group. It also may provide a good starting point for discussion with a child with autism about their interests and concerns and how they want to be perceived by their peers.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – None.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – None.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.
The autism unit teacher at my school and I are conflicted about this book. It seems aimed at middle school students, and yet somehow too young for them. We’re still considering it.
I agree that this skews young. I felt like the material would work well for third and fourth graders, despite the age of the author.
Hi Mrs. N,
Thanks for your review! You are correct about the age group–the book is intended for grades 3-4 (Ages 8 & up), despite the fact that Daniel was 14 when he wrote it.
Ms. Yingling, we just published another book that might be of interest–The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (And Their Parents). http://www.freespirit.com/add-adhd-autism/survival-guide-for-kids-with-autism-spectrum-disorders-elizabeth-verdick-elizabeth-reeve//
Thanks!
Elena Meredith
Free Spirit Publishing