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andrewsweet's review against another edition
5.0
This book is excellent! I grabbed it as a study - one of my characters is autistic and I really wanted to understand better. Because of this book, I realized that my understanding was lacking a bit of nuance. Well, a lot of nuance. The main character struggles with an autistic sibling and tries so hard to look out for him. It's a touching story that expanded the horizons of my understanding. Thank you!
rebeccasarine's review against another edition
4.0
My daughter and I read this book together. It was a great read about families and special needs. The story line was engaging and it was intricately written. We had some good discussion over this one.
bug_lightyear's review against another edition
Read in 10:40 at 0.65 speed
Second read, first as paper book second as audiobook. I enjoyed this book, especially Jason who is a non-verbal kid using a communication book and needs word cards to have the words he needs to communicate. I like that Catherine gives him "bad" words that help him express his frustrations. Catherine is a nice friend to him, taking him on small adventures and needs her rules she writes for her brother but seems to rely on them herself too.
However I read some reviews from other autistic/neurodivergent readers and it's true that David, the autistic brother, is mostly presented as an embarrassing nuisance which is definitely not good representation and particularly not a book to put in the hands of young autistic readers.
The story can be a bit saviour-y as Catherine, presented as non-disabled (but could be undiagnosed high masking low support needs autistic?) is praised for being friends and helping a disabled kid who is about her age or older, and does end up hurting him.
Second read, first as paper book second as audiobook. I enjoyed this book, especially Jason who is a non-verbal kid using a communication book and needs word cards to have the words he needs to communicate. I like that Catherine gives him "bad" words that help him express his frustrations. Catherine is a nice friend to him, taking him on small adventures and needs her rules she writes for her brother but seems to rely on them herself too.
However I read some reviews from other autistic/neurodivergent readers and it's true that David, the autistic brother, is mostly presented as an embarrassing nuisance which is definitely not good representation and particularly not a book to put in the hands of young autistic readers.
The story can be a bit saviour-y as Catherine, presented as non-disabled (but could be undiagnosed high masking low support needs autistic?) is praised for being friends and helping a disabled kid who is about her age or older, and does end up hurting him.
abbywebb's review against another edition
4.0
A cute book for kids that I had to read for one of my graduate courses last year. It is a story about a girl whose brother has autism and how it affects her. It was very insightful not only into autism but also on how it can affect family members, especially siblings.
katdfleming's review against another edition
4.0
What a terrific book. This is just a must-read. I don't want to say anything else and just let the story speak for itself. LOVE.
kfyoung's review against another edition
5.0
i really liked this book it was great! it made me cry!!!!
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Honest look at disability from the perspective of a sibling.
An important read for many, the genre has grown exponentially in recent years, bringing with it a more general awareness and understanding of issues surrounding various disabilities.
Some books give us the voice of the individual with the condition (The Reasons I Jump), some the parents' views (A Boy Made of Blocks), and here we have a perfect choice for the siblings of those with autism - narrated by a loving yet embarrassed and frustrated elder sister.
At 12, Catherine is highly conscious of how she and her younger brother David must look to outsiders. His constant 'differences', outbursts and specific behaviours have made her set him a series of Rules, from not throwing toys in the fish tank to knowing that someone laughing at you might not like you but want to hurt you. Her parents make time for him but never her. She's stuck babysitting or going to his medical appointments with him all the time. And it's summer, and her best friend is away.
A new neighbour moves in next door, prompting worries over how Catherine can try and make a new friend without being mortified by her brother's behaviours. And at David's therapy, she meets a boy with needs of his own but who could also become a friend. If she lets him.
Catherine is oh so real. On the cusp of adolescence, a hard time for any youngster at the best of times, she's a realistic depiction of a sister and daughter who can be selfish and short-tempered, then exhibit the most loving sisterly acts (winding her brother's cassettes that unspool, sharing quotes from Frog and Toad books that reassure him).
We don't see as much of David as I would have expected, but I was happy to spend more time with Catherine and Jason, whose relationship becomes rather touching and valuable. Her art, her words and how they connect brings the two stories together touchingly. She isn't flawless, and by the close isn't in 'all resolved' mode, but we can see how she's going to keep growing into a place where she can live with her family and life as it is, and even embrace it.
Readers aged 9-14 will find common ground with Catherine, whether they are in a similar situation or not. Though the book will be of particular interest to young people who do know somebody with similar conditions.
An important read for many, the genre has grown exponentially in recent years, bringing with it a more general awareness and understanding of issues surrounding various disabilities.
Some books give us the voice of the individual with the condition (The Reasons I Jump), some the parents' views (A Boy Made of Blocks), and here we have a perfect choice for the siblings of those with autism - narrated by a loving yet embarrassed and frustrated elder sister.
At 12, Catherine is highly conscious of how she and her younger brother David must look to outsiders. His constant 'differences', outbursts and specific behaviours have made her set him a series of Rules, from not throwing toys in the fish tank to knowing that someone laughing at you might not like you but want to hurt you. Her parents make time for him but never her. She's stuck babysitting or going to his medical appointments with him all the time. And it's summer, and her best friend is away.
A new neighbour moves in next door, prompting worries over how Catherine can try and make a new friend without being mortified by her brother's behaviours. And at David's therapy, she meets a boy with needs of his own but who could also become a friend. If she lets him.
Catherine is oh so real. On the cusp of adolescence, a hard time for any youngster at the best of times, she's a realistic depiction of a sister and daughter who can be selfish and short-tempered, then exhibit the most loving sisterly acts (winding her brother's cassettes that unspool, sharing quotes from Frog and Toad books that reassure him).
We don't see as much of David as I would have expected, but I was happy to spend more time with Catherine and Jason, whose relationship becomes rather touching and valuable. Her art, her words and how they connect brings the two stories together touchingly. She isn't flawless, and by the close isn't in 'all resolved' mode, but we can see how she's going to keep growing into a place where she can live with her family and life as it is, and even embrace it.
Readers aged 9-14 will find common ground with Catherine, whether they are in a similar situation or not. Though the book will be of particular interest to young people who do know somebody with similar conditions.
asw97's review against another edition
4.0
This book is so beautifully written. It made me cry and smile, and I enjoyed it as much now as I did when I was a kid.
code_kobold's review against another edition
5.0
This really spoke to me as a kid. I was the oldest with an autistic younger brother. I still have it on my bookshelf to this day even though I haven't re-read it in a long time.
timna_wyckoff's review against another edition
5.0
Read this for November mother/daughter bookclub - it was excellent!