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A review by nicolemhewitt
Ellen Outside the Lines by A.J. Sass
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Ellen Outside the Lines gives us insight into the mind of a neurodivergent middle-grader who is stretching her wings and reaching past her perceived boundaries for the first time. Ellen is autistic. She likes routines and rules and her comfort zone, which includes her best friend Laurel. So, when she takes a trip to Barcelona and the chaperones throw a whole lot of “new” into the mix, including putting her in a group that doesn’t include her best friend, Ellen is thrown. She isn’t sure if she can navigate the situation, and she doesn’t know how to approach these kids who don’t truly know or understand her. One thing I loved about this book is that it showed both sides of the coin: both Ellen learning and growing and finding ways to navigate the world and her friends (new and old) learning and growing and discovering how they can support her. Add to that Ellen’s new nonbinary friend who challenges her structured view of gender, and you have a compelling story. This book will expand kids’ view of the world and help them find compassion and understanding for those who are different (and it also gives neurodiverse kids a positive view of themselves). Definitely recommend!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Ellen Outside the Lines gives us insight into the mind of a neurodivergent middle-grader who is stretching her wings and reaching past her perceived boundaries for the first time. Ellen is autistic. She likes routines and rules and her comfort zone, which includes her best friend Laurel. So, when she takes a trip to Barcelona and the chaperones throw a whole lot of “new” into the mix, including putting her in a group that doesn’t include her best friend, Ellen is thrown. She isn’t sure if she can navigate the situation, and she doesn’t know how to approach these kids who don’t truly know or understand her. One thing I loved about this book is that it showed both sides of the coin: both Ellen learning and growing and finding ways to navigate the world and her friends (new and old) learning and growing and discovering how they can support her. Add to that Ellen’s new nonbinary friend who challenges her structured view of gender, and you have a compelling story. This book will expand kids’ view of the world and help them find compassion and understanding for those who are different (and it also gives neurodiverse kids a positive view of themselves). Definitely recommend!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***