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spuk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
libby_sarah's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Won a free audio copy from StoryGraph. Excited to receive a children’s book as I am a teacher. Not appropriate for the age I teach (due to some swear words) but would be great for slightly older children.
Fun little story that children will enjoy. Took me a little while to get into the world and understand it and the really know all the different characters.
Good representation of neurodiversity. Loved the message that everyone is unique and should be valued for who they are.
Thought the voice actors were good, really helped to separate the characters in my mind and know who was who.
Fun little story that children will enjoy. Took me a little while to get into the world and understand it and the really know all the different characters.
Good representation of neurodiversity. Loved the message that everyone is unique and should be valued for who they are.
Thought the voice actors were good, really helped to separate the characters in my mind and know who was who.
jay_hobday's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
spuk's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bardicbramley's review against another edition
3.0
Firstly, I was reached out to by the lovely author of this book, who graciously sent me a free Advanced Reader Copy for me to review.
I want to start by saying that I am so so happy that this book exists. We desperately need more books like this! Especially with everything going on at the moment (I'm looking at you S.A.M). A wholesome, caring, own voice story, written specifically with the intention of celebrating autistic children is exactly what I wanted to read.
At no point in this book was autism equated to being a burden or missing a puzzle piece, only as unique individuals with skills and strengths that might not always be considered the norm. The descriptions and explanations behind the SuperAuts behaviours and reactions were refreshing: child friendly, realistic, and absolutely perfect for explaining how autism works to neurotypical children.
In addition to that, McMorran took it just that extra step further. Every autistic character was different. None of that stereotyped singular autistic person who doesn't understand the joke, hates socialising and can't read emotions. There was a whole range of representation of characteristics, expanding far beyond (but also including) all of the traits above.
Aside from this, there were other elements of the book I similarly adored:
I loved the child friendly post-apocalyptic vibes that left space for questioning what exactly happened to the world we know now and ponder on why it might have changed?
I loved the abundance of random but well integrated fun facts and learning points.
I loved the inclusion of maps to give some imagery to the journey our characters go on, and the land they find.
And I loved the love, empathy and care in McMorran words that shine through in every characters voice (besides our bad guys of course).
There were of course elements I liked less. And to best explain them, I think I should set the scene for you a little.
I described the feel of this story to my wife as a mix of Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate factory, and the Wizard of Oz (the latter of which is actually mentioned in the book itself). It is set in a post-apocalyptic world where society has changed immensely. The humans that are left (the Real Worlders) wear artificial skin suits called PIE that are basically super computers, helping them to control their temperature, search for information, know what they need to eat, sleep, and help reuse their waste products. But the best part, is that everyone is accepted for who they are, and diversity is the new norm.
I found that certain elements of the technology and Real Worlder language was difficult to follow at times, and often a little confusing for me. Although the world and concept itself was great to immerse myself in, I felt that it could have been explained a little clearer. It is written in a style that lets the reader pick up knowledge and understanding along the way (similar to the writing style of Alice in Wonderland which I also had a little trouble with), but in my opinion, a deeper, longer and fuller explanation of the world close to the beginning of the book would have been worthwhile, in order to fully immerse myself into this new world order, before then going off to explore another unfamiliar world with the main characters.
I also found the narrative a little tricky to follow. There is more than one narrator used to tell the story, which in some ways offers wonderful insights and information to the story that we would otherwise not necessarily know. However for me, it was just a little too much, and I got a bit tangled on occasion between which narrator was giving their insight when.
Overall, I think this book, and this author, have so much potential! I couldn't quite justify giving it a higher rating due to the difficulties I had with the narrative and reading, but the story itself is Great. The intention, morals, characters and imagination are all there, and I cannot wait to see what else McMorran creates in the future.
I want to start by saying that I am so so happy that this book exists. We desperately need more books like this! Especially with everything going on at the moment (I'm looking at you S.A.M). A wholesome, caring, own voice story, written specifically with the intention of celebrating autistic children is exactly what I wanted to read.
At no point in this book was autism equated to being a burden or missing a puzzle piece, only as unique individuals with skills and strengths that might not always be considered the norm. The descriptions and explanations behind the SuperAuts behaviours and reactions were refreshing: child friendly, realistic, and absolutely perfect for explaining how autism works to neurotypical children.
In addition to that, McMorran took it just that extra step further. Every autistic character was different. None of that stereotyped singular autistic person who doesn't understand the joke, hates socialising and can't read emotions. There was a whole range of representation of characteristics, expanding far beyond (but also including) all of the traits above.
Aside from this, there were other elements of the book I similarly adored:
I loved the child friendly post-apocalyptic vibes that left space for questioning what exactly happened to the world we know now and ponder on why it might have changed?
I loved the abundance of random but well integrated fun facts and learning points.
I loved the inclusion of maps to give some imagery to the journey our characters go on, and the land they find.
And I loved the love, empathy and care in McMorran words that shine through in every characters voice (besides our bad guys of course).
There were of course elements I liked less. And to best explain them, I think I should set the scene for you a little.
I described the feel of this story to my wife as a mix of Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate factory, and the Wizard of Oz (the latter of which is actually mentioned in the book itself). It is set in a post-apocalyptic world where society has changed immensely. The humans that are left (the Real Worlders) wear artificial skin suits called PIE that are basically super computers, helping them to control their temperature, search for information, know what they need to eat, sleep, and help reuse their waste products. But the best part, is that everyone is accepted for who they are, and diversity is the new norm.
I found that certain elements of the technology and Real Worlder language was difficult to follow at times, and often a little confusing for me. Although the world and concept itself was great to immerse myself in, I felt that it could have been explained a little clearer. It is written in a style that lets the reader pick up knowledge and understanding along the way (similar to the writing style of Alice in Wonderland which I also had a little trouble with), but in my opinion, a deeper, longer and fuller explanation of the world close to the beginning of the book would have been worthwhile, in order to fully immerse myself into this new world order, before then going off to explore another unfamiliar world with the main characters.
I also found the narrative a little tricky to follow. There is more than one narrator used to tell the story, which in some ways offers wonderful insights and information to the story that we would otherwise not necessarily know. However for me, it was just a little too much, and I got a bit tangled on occasion between which narrator was giving their insight when.
Overall, I think this book, and this author, have so much potential! I couldn't quite justify giving it a higher rating due to the difficulties I had with the narrative and reading, but the story itself is Great. The intention, morals, characters and imagination are all there, and I cannot wait to see what else McMorran creates in the future.
foxo_cube's review
4.0
A strange, fun book that offers a look into a neurodivergent perspective in an absurd yet immersive way. While it is aimed at a younger audience, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it: its weirdness has its own logic to it that makes the world seem surprisingly real, and the characters are fun and - reading as an autistic person - relatable. If you or your child are a fan of out-there stories, then I can't recommend this enough.
beals's review
5.0
Free copy in exchange for an honest review:
MOOJAG and the Auticode Secret is a children’s book, but to me it felt like a children’s book that adults were meant to read. The refreshing setting of a post-apocalyptic world without immediate danger allowed for the representation of autism and neurodivergence in a way I had never seen before. It encourages neurodivergent children to embrace their identity, without ever being patronising. MOOJAG’s setting and context as “climate fiction,” while childlike and fun, is crucial to the plot’s work of framing the message that neurodiversity should be more than simply accommodated – it should be celebrated.
The book’s narrative of what it’s like to live as a neurodivergent child is accessible, but deeply profound. Much of this is because the story is so plot-driven. Instead of trying to educate the reader, it gives unparalleled insight into neurodivergent joy and struggle. This is a book for autistic children and adults alike to see themselves in and feel powerful. MOOJAG discusses sensitive topics such as the ableism and discrimination that neurodivergent people face, but this is never underplayed or overly hardhitting. I was really happy to see that neurotypes other than autism, such as ADHD, were considered, since they are often side-lined in media.
The characters have real agency that is never in spite of their neurodivergence, rather it is undoubtedly shaped by it, and is integral to the characters’ way of being. Every character recognises this and empowers their peers through it, even if those peers might struggle more. They are united in their quest to navigate an ableist world that wants them to feel broken. While autism and neurodivergence were absolutely the centre of the book, the characters were developed far beyond mainstream stereotypes of autism. Mainstream autistic fiction is oversaturated with older male savants, but in MOOJAG, the portrayal of a young autistic female main character is perfect. I don’t think representation this good could ever be seen outside of an own-voice perspective like Nema’s, and I’m confident that MOOJAG will pave the way for the neurodivergent representation we need and deserve.
MOOJAG and the Auticode Secret is a children’s book, but to me it felt like a children’s book that adults were meant to read. The refreshing setting of a post-apocalyptic world without immediate danger allowed for the representation of autism and neurodivergence in a way I had never seen before. It encourages neurodivergent children to embrace their identity, without ever being patronising. MOOJAG’s setting and context as “climate fiction,” while childlike and fun, is crucial to the plot’s work of framing the message that neurodiversity should be more than simply accommodated – it should be celebrated.
The book’s narrative of what it’s like to live as a neurodivergent child is accessible, but deeply profound. Much of this is because the story is so plot-driven. Instead of trying to educate the reader, it gives unparalleled insight into neurodivergent joy and struggle. This is a book for autistic children and adults alike to see themselves in and feel powerful. MOOJAG discusses sensitive topics such as the ableism and discrimination that neurodivergent people face, but this is never underplayed or overly hardhitting. I was really happy to see that neurotypes other than autism, such as ADHD, were considered, since they are often side-lined in media.
The characters have real agency that is never in spite of their neurodivergence, rather it is undoubtedly shaped by it, and is integral to the characters’ way of being. Every character recognises this and empowers their peers through it, even if those peers might struggle more. They are united in their quest to navigate an ableist world that wants them to feel broken. While autism and neurodivergence were absolutely the centre of the book, the characters were developed far beyond mainstream stereotypes of autism. Mainstream autistic fiction is oversaturated with older male savants, but in MOOJAG, the portrayal of a young autistic female main character is perfect. I don’t think representation this good could ever be seen outside of an own-voice perspective like Nema’s, and I’m confident that MOOJAG will pave the way for the neurodivergent representation we need and deserve.
astracrompton's review
3.0
Moojag and the Auticode Secret is a middle grade fantasy that feels like Douglas Adams meets Wizard of Oz. It's irreverent, playful, silly, and fast-paced, which should keep kids reading.
The most interesting part is the author's self-expression of neurodivergence. Neurotypical readers should approach the text with an open mind, as this is a valuable view into autism and neurodivergent thought processes. From the way scenes are sketched in, to the wordplay used throughout the characters' dialogue and thoughts, to the various physical habits and stimming---there is a lot of diversity on display. This can be a great tool for learning empathy. And for autistic readers, this is a chance to see themselves represented in the wide array of autistic characters that grace the pages.
The narrative is a little challenging to follow at times. Action beats leapfrog forward. Characters "appear" and disappear suddenly, with no explanation. The point of view shifts from first person to an omniscient external narrator who can read character's minds at will and who (rarely) can be perceived by some characters, and back to limited first. Zany villains are downright cruel, abusive, and grotesque---yet so incompetent, it's amazing they've not been overthrown. And the utopian civilizations themed around candy are charming but ludicrous. Still, the themes of acceptance of differences, equity, and found family provide a strong central core around which the characters pivot. There doesn't seem to be much character growth for the protagonists, who start off content and spend most of the book wading reluctantly through mysteries and odd tasks. At times, they bleed together in personality. Nema and Adam, however, are especially likeable, and Kitty is sweet and hapless and elicits pity.
The book zigzags around a surrealist world and plot, clearly intending a second volume. Kids will likely pick up on the nonsensical, onomatopoeia words like "gajoom" and may go springing around the house in search of sugary sweets after reading this adventure. I encourage readers to put on their Gajoomdom goggles and look at life from a different perspective---even if that perspective is sometimes upside-down like Moojag.
***Based on an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review***
The most interesting part is the author's self-expression of neurodivergence. Neurotypical readers should approach the text with an open mind, as this is a valuable view into autism and neurodivergent thought processes. From the way scenes are sketched in, to the wordplay used throughout the characters' dialogue and thoughts, to the various physical habits and stimming---there is a lot of diversity on display. This can be a great tool for learning empathy. And for autistic readers, this is a chance to see themselves represented in the wide array of autistic characters that grace the pages.
The narrative is a little challenging to follow at times. Action beats leapfrog forward. Characters "appear" and disappear suddenly, with no explanation. The point of view shifts from first person to an omniscient external narrator who can read character's minds at will and who (rarely) can be perceived by some characters, and back to limited first. Zany villains are downright cruel, abusive, and grotesque---yet so incompetent, it's amazing they've not been overthrown. And the utopian civilizations themed around candy are charming but ludicrous. Still, the themes of acceptance of differences, equity, and found family provide a strong central core around which the characters pivot. There doesn't seem to be much character growth for the protagonists, who start off content and spend most of the book wading reluctantly through mysteries and odd tasks. At times, they bleed together in personality. Nema and Adam, however, are especially likeable, and Kitty is sweet and hapless and elicits pity.
The book zigzags around a surrealist world and plot, clearly intending a second volume. Kids will likely pick up on the nonsensical, onomatopoeia words like "gajoom" and may go springing around the house in search of sugary sweets after reading this adventure. I encourage readers to put on their Gajoomdom goggles and look at life from a different perspective---even if that perspective is sometimes upside-down like Moojag.
***Based on an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review***
buffalogirl123's review
5.0
Creative middle grade novel with an important message about inclusion. Highly recommend!
flordemaga's review
I couldn’t get into the sci-fi of the world or into the language used. A shame, because I really wanted to like it.
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