Module 7 - Anything But Typical

Summary

A twelve year old boy, Jason,  with autism narrates this story.  He describes how he feels, even when he is unable to articulate his feelings with words to his family, friends, and classmates.  Jason loves to write, and he's great at writing.  It is through his writing that he meets a girl online.  She is also a writer.  Eventually the opportunity is made available for him to meet this girl at a convention for the online world.  Jason is scared because he does not want Rebecca, his online friend, to meet him.  He is afraid she will no longer like him if he does.  They do eventually meet and things do not turn out exactly as Jason expected them to.  

Bibliographic Citation

Baskin, N. (2010). Anything but typical. Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers.

Personal Impressions

While there have recently been many books told about young adults with illnesses and disabilities this one does a great job of narrating from a twelve year olds perspective.  It is believable and heart warming.  The idea that a student that struggles with maintaining relationships with peers but can become a whole new person when given a chance to write is an inspiring perspective.  

Reviews


From Common Sense Media 
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/anything-typical

Author Nora Baskin tries to bring readers into the world of a child with autism, and it's a heartbreaking, moving, yet loving look as Jason struggles to use "our language" to describe the world around him and how he fits into it. He describes knowing how others feel about him even though they think he doesn't understand -- his mother taking his baby brother with her everywhere because she's afraid he might hurt him, his grandmother speaking slowly and loudly to him as if he can't hear, kids making fun of him, his anxiety about meeting a friend who doesn't know about his condition.

The words can sometimes come in a jumble, but the words are Jason's way of trying to connect his life to the lives of "normal" people. Some of the true gems of this book are Jason's stories that he posts online that parallel his life in ways he may not understand, but the readers will. Both kids and parents will love this wonderful, eye-opening, and sensitive story.

Elementary Library Uses

This is a great read for a small group of 4th or 5th grade students, especially those struggling to understand that different is not bad.  Students would enjoy getting to know Jason, specifically reading about his interactions with the girl he meets online and calls his girlfriend.  They would also benefit from discussing how Jason feels, interacts, and responds to those around him.  While Jason may think and act different than his readers he still has feelings and thoughts, he just expresses himself differently.

This book would also be great for teachers.  The message that everyone behaves a certain way for a reason is clearly illustrated through Jason's actions.  Students, even those you are struggling with, want the same things. They want to be liked, to be successful, and to be wanted.