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kyrasamtani's review
3.0
It was okay I liked the characters it was nice seeing an author talk about autism from actual experience instead of just doing research i think it’s better that way.
kristinrob's review against another edition
4.0
Callie and Charlie are twins, but they very dissimilar. Charlie has autism, and as the two of them navigate their way through high school, this story tells of their trials and travails.
reviewsbylola's review against another edition
3.0
As the parent of a five year old daughter diagnosed with ASD, this book really appealed to me. Often we parents grapple with the issue of what the future will look like for our children. That is doubly true for parents of ASD children, so I was eager to read the Peetes' perspective on life as a teenager with ASD.
The book is thinly veiled as fiction, with Peete twins RJ and Ryan adopting the names Charlie and Callie. "Charlie" was diagnosed with autism at age three and has had his family staunchly advocating for him, including the person he's closest to, his twin sister "Callie".
I appreciate that this is their story, I really do. But it left me sad. I absolutely don't believe that everything is sunshine and rainbows. Obviously anyone living with ASD or that has a family member with ASD will struggle, and I want to know the bad along with the good. But it seemed like life with Charlie was all bad. :(
As I closed the book, I wasn't sure how I felt. I wanted to love it, but I thought about my kids as teenagers, as Callie and Charlie, and it scared me. Literally every chapter of the book seemed to be about some way that Charlie has a horrible life, and in every chapter it's Callie being annoyed and repressed by living with an autistic brother. I kept trying to remind myself that they're teenagers, that maybe their viewpoints are clouded by teenage angst. Even the way they depicted their parents made me really sad. And the thing is, I don't know the Peetes (obviously), but it seems pretty obvious just by their public personas and projects that they're a supportive, loving family. Unfortunately that didn't shine through.
I have two copies of this book so originally I had put one aside for when my kids are older. But honestly, I'm not sure I want to encourage them to read it. I have always celebrated the differences in my ASD daughter, and I would hate for her to read a book like this and think she is just an irritant to everyone, that we all hate autism and what it's done to her. Because I feel the opposite of that.
Obviously this is a very personal subject for me, and I can't help having that reflected in my review, but I am very appreciative of the Peete family, and especially RJ and Ryan, for sharing their story.
The book is thinly veiled as fiction, with Peete twins RJ and Ryan adopting the names Charlie and Callie. "Charlie" was diagnosed with autism at age three and has had his family staunchly advocating for him, including the person he's closest to, his twin sister "Callie".
I appreciate that this is their story, I really do. But it left me sad. I absolutely don't believe that everything is sunshine and rainbows. Obviously anyone living with ASD or that has a family member with ASD will struggle, and I want to know the bad along with the good. But it seemed like life with Charlie was all bad. :(
As I closed the book, I wasn't sure how I felt. I wanted to love it, but I thought about my kids as teenagers, as Callie and Charlie, and it scared me. Literally every chapter of the book seemed to be about some way that Charlie has a horrible life, and in every chapter it's Callie being annoyed and repressed by living with an autistic brother. I kept trying to remind myself that they're teenagers, that maybe their viewpoints are clouded by teenage angst. Even the way they depicted their parents made me really sad. And the thing is, I don't know the Peetes (obviously), but it seems pretty obvious just by their public personas and projects that they're a supportive, loving family. Unfortunately that didn't shine through.
I have two copies of this book so originally I had put one aside for when my kids are older. But honestly, I'm not sure I want to encourage them to read it. I have always celebrated the differences in my ASD daughter, and I would hate for her to read a book like this and think she is just an irritant to everyone, that we all hate autism and what it's done to her. Because I feel the opposite of that.
Obviously this is a very personal subject for me, and I can't help having that reflected in my review, but I am very appreciative of the Peete family, and especially RJ and Ryan, for sharing their story.
littlecornerreads's review against another edition
3.0
The sad stories are the best ones. Everybody know that.
mmattmiller's review against another edition
2.0
I reeeeally wanted to love this one. I even saw some of the lower-star reviews before reading it, and thought I would be the one to stand up for this book! But I just can't...
I think it's great to have a book about autism (family life with autism, school life with autism) that is based on truth, on real experiences, and not just a novel by someone who has done research. That's why my hopes were so high. But unfortunately, what I get from this book is that there is a sister who really doesn't like her brother or think highly of her brother. And this brother who is trying to tell people what it is like to be him, and I'm just praying he doesn't read what his sister is writing!
I'm not saying that "it's not that bad" or that she should put a front on and pretend everything is great or even get over the hard parts. But I'm all about balance. In her author's note, the sister tells her brother how much she loves him and is blown away by things he says- why is that not reflected anywhere in the book? It's okay to share the challenges- other siblings of kids on the spectrum will relate for sure! But to have none of the positive that you speak of in your note? Just makes you sound kind of bad (even if the feelings are understandable.)
Now, for the target audience: Unfortunately, while I do think siblings of kids on the spectrum will relate to Callie, I hope they don't think they should just loudly complain and vent at all times, without ever looking for the value in the relationship or for the good. I fear that kids on the spectrum who read this will think (or realize? wonder? fear?) that their siblings secretly hate them and never want to be around them. As for random kids/teens reading this book, I think they will just thank their lucky stars that they neither have autism, nor a sibling with autism. It might raise awareness, but does it raise acceptance? The little bit of acceptance/good in the last two chapters aren't quite redemptive enough or teaching enough to embrace Autism.
So while this book is well intentioned, and I'm telling you, I LOVE the idea, I just don't think it was executed well. I'm stuck on the sister's author's note where she talks about bringing up the challenging stuff and how maybe that was hard on her mom and especially her dad... But maybe it's because while it's true, there have been some tough patches that are hard to bring up, maybe because your parents even deep down realized there's a difference between bringing up tough topics, and just complaining/venting/sounding like you don't like your brother and only tolerate him because you're obligated as his twin. I really don't think that's the case (based on her note to her brother), but reading only the book- that's exactly what I'd think.
(Side note- I also loved Holly Robinson Peete's note. To me, that was real. She brought up some real things that families experience. I get that her input would have ruined the sibling/twin message of the book, but I would love to hear her voice, her experiences. Maybe she already has written a book- I will look into it. I just get frustrated I think when I get more out of acknowledgements/author's notes in the back of the books, then the books themselves.)
I think it's great to have a book about autism (family life with autism, school life with autism) that is based on truth, on real experiences, and not just a novel by someone who has done research. That's why my hopes were so high. But unfortunately, what I get from this book is that there is a sister who really doesn't like her brother or think highly of her brother. And this brother who is trying to tell people what it is like to be him, and I'm just praying he doesn't read what his sister is writing!
I'm not saying that "it's not that bad" or that she should put a front on and pretend everything is great or even get over the hard parts. But I'm all about balance. In her author's note, the sister tells her brother how much she loves him and is blown away by things he says- why is that not reflected anywhere in the book? It's okay to share the challenges- other siblings of kids on the spectrum will relate for sure! But to have none of the positive that you speak of in your note? Just makes you sound kind of bad (even if the feelings are understandable.)
Now, for the target audience: Unfortunately, while I do think siblings of kids on the spectrum will relate to Callie, I hope they don't think they should just loudly complain and vent at all times, without ever looking for the value in the relationship or for the good. I fear that kids on the spectrum who read this will think (or realize? wonder? fear?) that their siblings secretly hate them and never want to be around them. As for random kids/teens reading this book, I think they will just thank their lucky stars that they neither have autism, nor a sibling with autism. It might raise awareness, but does it raise acceptance? The little bit of acceptance/good in the last two chapters aren't quite redemptive enough or teaching enough to embrace Autism.
So while this book is well intentioned, and I'm telling you, I LOVE the idea, I just don't think it was executed well. I'm stuck on the sister's author's note where she talks about bringing up the challenging stuff and how maybe that was hard on her mom and especially her dad... But maybe it's because while it's true, there have been some tough patches that are hard to bring up, maybe because your parents even deep down realized there's a difference between bringing up tough topics, and just complaining/venting/sounding like you don't like your brother and only tolerate him because you're obligated as his twin. I really don't think that's the case (based on her note to her brother), but reading only the book- that's exactly what I'd think.
(Side note- I also loved Holly Robinson Peete's note. To me, that was real. She brought up some real things that families experience. I get that her input would have ruined the sibling/twin message of the book, but I would love to hear her voice, her experiences. Maybe she already has written a book- I will look into it. I just get frustrated I think when I get more out of acknowledgements/author's notes in the back of the books, then the books themselves.)
deepanshi's review against another edition
5.0
Holly was very happy when she came to know that she'll be having a twins - a boy and a girl. But after three years, their world changed forever - when they came to know their son has classic autism. Things which were about to come were haunting them but they were ready to face every situation.
.
Callie and Charlie are twins - they're similar in so many ways and as teenagers, they share the same hope, worries, anxiety and dreams as kids all over the world do. But these two beautiful individuals are difference in many ways. Callie is absolutely perfect whereas Charlie has classic autism - he just can't be like normal people. Callie loves his brother, no doubt but she always gets offended by Charlie's behavior - she feels burdened. Things were were contrasting. Charlie too loved Callie but he didn't want baby feeding always - actually he does. This book talks about how both of them feel at the same time - in a very different way. Charlie and Callie brings out their honest feeling towards each other. Their is love, affection, care, humiliation, irritation, hatred all mixed up. Callie is tired of helping Charlie, suffering due to Charlie whereas Charlie just can't get things done correctly. He has no interest in sports but he loves his video games. He hates maths but is really brilliant in maths and science.
The whole book talks about a situation give to them and how both of them react and feel. You can't expect a great fictional story from this book but the message which this book gives is worth. Charlie always say - "I have autism, autism doesn't have me" and that has my heart. Things may become difficult sometimes, but how we tackle it is important.
I am really in love with this book - it's so beautiful. The book is well written which can also be read by beginners. So you can surely pick this book up if you want to have some light read with deep message behind. PS. I'm really in love with the smell of this book! I really really want a perfume which has this smell.
.
Callie and Charlie are twins - they're similar in so many ways and as teenagers, they share the same hope, worries, anxiety and dreams as kids all over the world do. But these two beautiful individuals are difference in many ways. Callie is absolutely perfect whereas Charlie has classic autism - he just can't be like normal people. Callie loves his brother, no doubt but she always gets offended by Charlie's behavior - she feels burdened. Things were were contrasting. Charlie too loved Callie but he didn't want baby feeding always - actually he does. This book talks about how both of them feel at the same time - in a very different way. Charlie and Callie brings out their honest feeling towards each other. Their is love, affection, care, humiliation, irritation, hatred all mixed up. Callie is tired of helping Charlie, suffering due to Charlie whereas Charlie just can't get things done correctly. He has no interest in sports but he loves his video games. He hates maths but is really brilliant in maths and science.
The whole book talks about a situation give to them and how both of them react and feel. You can't expect a great fictional story from this book but the message which this book gives is worth. Charlie always say - "I have autism, autism doesn't have me" and that has my heart. Things may become difficult sometimes, but how we tackle it is important.
I am really in love with this book - it's so beautiful. The book is well written which can also be read by beginners. So you can surely pick this book up if you want to have some light read with deep message behind. PS. I'm really in love with the smell of this book! I really really want a perfume which has this smell.
gunjanmaheshwaribookwormreads's review against another edition
3.0
Same but Different: Teen Life on Autism Express by Holly Robinson Peete takes you on a journey of Autism, told from the point of view of someone who is autistic and someone who witnesses their loved one's struggles through this condition.
Through alternating narratives by Ryan and her twin brother RJ about their lives, the book has expressed what it's like to be a teen living with Autism.
It was my first book that talks about autism and how it can be so hard to get through daily routines and over that surviving school where people judge you and not everybody understands your condition. It also reflects upon how difficult and intricate it can be for people around you. Through Ryan and RJ's POV, we can see the difference of opinion, frustrations, sacrifices and a lot more.
This book is based on real-life experiences and I am not at liberty to judge it but I have to press upon the subject that it doesn't explore upon how you empathize and deal with the condition instead we come across the sister complaining about her brother almost all the time. I understand it is really difficult to cope up with this because if your sibling has autism, it definitely will impact your life but I could feel the resentment in her writing which unfortunately is problematic. Imagine an autistic person reading this book, what will they think about it? How would they feel?
I mean, yes it's a good book but it could have been more. I wanted to see things through mom and dad's perspective. I also wanted to see Callie (Ryan) supporting and loving her brother ( like she mentioned in the after notes). One good thing that came out of this is that I am going to find and read more books on autism now.
Through alternating narratives by Ryan and her twin brother RJ about their lives, the book has expressed what it's like to be a teen living with Autism.
It was my first book that talks about autism and how it can be so hard to get through daily routines and over that surviving school where people judge you and not everybody understands your condition. It also reflects upon how difficult and intricate it can be for people around you. Through Ryan and RJ's POV, we can see the difference of opinion, frustrations, sacrifices and a lot more.
This book is based on real-life experiences and I am not at liberty to judge it but I have to press upon the subject that it doesn't explore upon how you empathize and deal with the condition instead we come across the sister complaining about her brother almost all the time. I understand it is really difficult to cope up with this because if your sibling has autism, it definitely will impact your life but I could feel the resentment in her writing which unfortunately is problematic. Imagine an autistic person reading this book, what will they think about it? How would they feel?
I mean, yes it's a good book but it could have been more. I wanted to see things through mom and dad's perspective. I also wanted to see Callie (Ryan) supporting and loving her brother ( like she mentioned in the after notes). One good thing that came out of this is that I am going to find and read more books on autism now.
thebookwormkatie's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
What I really appreciated at the end of the novel was the note from RJ and Ryan’s mom. Holly expressed her nervousness with how RJ would handle situations that occur as he progressed through life, and how his diagnosis could impact his siblings. She continues to talk about how her anxieties are compounded as a mom of a Black son. “In a societal climate where young men of color are perceived as threatening, I often worry that my hoodie-living son will find himself in a dangerous situation that he can’t correctly process and will end up physically hurt, or worse. And I often fear that his intensions will be misunderstood and that he’ll pay an ugly price for that.”
This is why anti-racism needs to be taught. This is why disabilities should not be hush-hush, but rather understood, valued, and supported. Their disability does not define them. They are a person before they are their diagnosis.
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