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massivepizzacrust's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
This is an amazing debut and I'm curious to see how McAnulty's writing improves with experience. For me, the pacing was a bit off sometimes but the language was full of color and I could just see myself in the places being described. It really made me want to go sit outside and notice all the little things about where I live. I also appreciated learning about what the world feels like from an autistic perspective and I loved how the family supported and cared for each other.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Ableism
Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts
alayamorning's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
mirandaaaa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
relaxing
slow-paced
4.25
Thank you very much Nell for lending me this book, sorry it has taken me so longgg.
"the starlings still bloom and bellow, origami shapes against the limestone greys of the sky."
Literally how did a 14 year old write this??? It is so incredibly eloquent, and perfectly describes the seasons. As I was reading though Spring, Winter etc I could feel the woolen jumpers, crunchy leaves, singing birds or endless summer days. McAnulty perfectly captures a year of blissful nature whilst raising awareness to the dangers the world faces.
"When dusk comes it is a bruised blackberry sky."
It was incredibly calming to read and I could feel myself begin to chill out and become absorbed into his hypnotic life. Also now very much wish my family do a Christmas Eve giving of a stack of books to each other.
"It feels like a ticking time bomb to extinction. Is it any wonder that almost a quarter of young people are experiencing mental health difficulties?Our world is increasingly divided between attainment, materialism and self-analysis. We're at the tipping point in the relationship we have with ourselves, with each other and our world."
"the starlings still bloom and bellow, origami shapes against the limestone greys of the sky."
Literally how did a 14 year old write this??? It is so incredibly eloquent, and perfectly describes the seasons. As I was reading though Spring, Winter etc I could feel the woolen jumpers, crunchy leaves, singing birds or endless summer days. McAnulty perfectly captures a year of blissful nature whilst raising awareness to the dangers the world faces.
"When dusk comes it is a bruised blackberry sky."
It was incredibly calming to read and I could feel myself begin to chill out and become absorbed into his hypnotic life. Also now very much wish my family do a Christmas Eve giving of a stack of books to each other.
"It feels like a ticking time bomb to extinction. Is it any wonder that almost a quarter of young people are experiencing mental health difficulties?Our world is increasingly divided between attainment, materialism and self-analysis. We're at the tipping point in the relationship we have with ourselves, with each other and our world."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, and Bullying
Moderate: Self harm
mperriwinkle's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
It is rare for myself to read a non-fiction book. Admittedly, I typically am not intrigued or gripped enough to focus on the material of the book. This book was a rare exception. As a vegetarian, a young self-proclaimed climate change activist, and a teenager who has struggled with bullying, mental health issues, and her place in this ever changing world, this book really hit home. I loved the way nature was used to explain our feelings of interconnectedness and how nature was also used to explain our feelings of loneliness. It was a beautifully written book that ever person should read at some point in their lifetime and if not, they should read something similar. It is important to acknowledge your place in this new age and what you can do to better it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Animal death and Suicidal thoughts
thesaltiestlibrarian's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. The opinions expressed herein are mine alone and may not reflect the views of the author, publisher, or distributor.
If there was one nonfiction book I would give to school-age kids for Autism Acceptance Month, it would be this.
Not only is McAnulty a fledgling world-changer, he's a brilliant naturalist and future professional ecologist. This book follows him through three seasons, where he and his family explore the wild--and not so wild--areas of Northern Ireland and Scotland. McAnulty's utmost passion is ornithology, and it shows in his profuse enthusiasm for our fine feathered friends.
With colorful prose and evocative imagery, McAnulty makes case after case for introducing programs to help conserve what we already have, and to further introduce (or reintroduce, in some cases) natural life that bolsters and revives ecosystems already in place. What's more, he ruminates on how autism has released in a flood this passion for our wild world.
However, there are sadder moments, too. Moments when McAnulty reflects on how bullying has scarred him and made him wary of friendships. Which, dude, I totally understand. People have tried to fix me too. People haven't believed me about my TS and sundry disorders. But the bright spot comes in when McAnulty stands up in spite of these people, and he uses his disorder as a channeling tool to bring forth all of the potential he has. More kids, more adults, more people need to read this book to understand how "disabled" simply means "differently abled." We are not broken toys to fix and poke. We are fully capable of amazing things. That needs to be taught more.
I'll be recommending this book to every single person I know and putting it into the hands of every patron I come across. We need more OwnVoices books exactly like this, that celebrate life and passions and humanity of those society has made "other" or "fragile." McAnulty has a superb future ahead of him and is bound to change the world.
If there was one nonfiction book I would give to school-age kids for Autism Acceptance Month, it would be this.
Not only is McAnulty a fledgling world-changer, he's a brilliant naturalist and future professional ecologist. This book follows him through three seasons, where he and his family explore the wild--and not so wild--areas of Northern Ireland and Scotland. McAnulty's utmost passion is ornithology, and it shows in his profuse enthusiasm for our fine feathered friends.
With colorful prose and evocative imagery, McAnulty makes case after case for introducing programs to help conserve what we already have, and to further introduce (or reintroduce, in some cases) natural life that bolsters and revives ecosystems already in place. What's more, he ruminates on how autism has released in a flood this passion for our wild world.
However, there are sadder moments, too. Moments when McAnulty reflects on how bullying has scarred him and made him wary of friendships. Which, dude, I totally understand. People have tried to fix me too. People haven't believed me about my TS and sundry disorders. But the bright spot comes in when McAnulty stands up in spite of these people, and he uses his disorder as a channeling tool to bring forth all of the potential he has. More kids, more adults, more people need to read this book to understand how "disabled" simply means "differently abled." We are not broken toys to fix and poke. We are fully capable of amazing things. That needs to be taught more.
I'll be recommending this book to every single person I know and putting it into the hands of every patron I come across. We need more OwnVoices books exactly like this, that celebrate life and passions and humanity of those society has made "other" or "fragile." McAnulty has a superb future ahead of him and is bound to change the world.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism and Bullying
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