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A review by jilljemmett
Something More by Jackie Khalilieh
medium-paced
5.0
Fifteen-year-old Jessie Khassis has just been diagnosed with autism the summer before starting high school. This diagnosis has explained why she has always felt different, but she wants to have a fresh start in high school and keep her autism a secret. Jessie makes a list of goals as she begins to navigate the confusing landscape of high school. She makes new friends who don’t always behave the way she thinks they would, and there are boys who she likes but they send her mixed signals. Jessie must find her place in high school while learning more about herself along the way.
I found this story so relatable. Jessie is neurodivergent and understands the world in a way that is different from neurotypical people. However, I think neurodivergent and neurotypical readers could relate to her struggles in high school. Being a teenager and figuring out high school can be difficult. Some people can be confusing, like Jessie’s friends who said one thing but acted a different way. Even though Jessie’s autism makes her view the world in a unique way, these kinds of mixed signals can be confusing for anyone. Even when something is right in front of us, we may not want to believe it if we don’t want to be real.
Something More is one of the most authentic and relatable contemporary young adult novels I’ve read in a long time!
Thank you Tundra Books and Penguin Teen Canada for providing a copy of this book!
Content warnings: bullying, cheating, death of grandparent
I found this story so relatable. Jessie is neurodivergent and understands the world in a way that is different from neurotypical people. However, I think neurodivergent and neurotypical readers could relate to her struggles in high school. Being a teenager and figuring out high school can be difficult. Some people can be confusing, like Jessie’s friends who said one thing but acted a different way. Even though Jessie’s autism makes her view the world in a unique way, these kinds of mixed signals can be confusing for anyone. Even when something is right in front of us, we may not want to believe it if we don’t want to be real.
Something More is one of the most authentic and relatable contemporary young adult novels I’ve read in a long time!
Thank you Tundra Books and Penguin Teen Canada for providing a copy of this book!
Content warnings: bullying, cheating, death of grandparent
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, and Death