The True Ugly Duckling by Sandra Nickel illustrated by Calvin Nicholls*

 How Hans Christian Andersen Became a Swan

Ms. Nickel escorts the reader through Hans Christian Andersen's life as he struggles to utilize his interests and gifts, which differ drastically from society's. This biography focuses on Andersen's perseverance despite being the object of society's ridicule. In her author's note, Ms. Nickel points out that Andersen probably was on the autism spectrum and also may have had Marfan syndrome.

This biography does not focus on his published works. The author and illustrator allude to them. Their focus was on how he endured being different and eventually found hope and success. 

The illustrations, low-relief sculptures, are incredible. They enhance the story and express what Andersen may have felt. I think the illustrations are even more powerful than the words!

Although this is a picture book, I think older elementary through high school students would appreciate Andersen's story best.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

 Award Winner: Newbery Honor Book-2005

On Januray 4, 1935 twelve-year-old Moose moves to Alcatraz with his family, where his dad takes a position as an prison guard. Why? --So his sister Natalie can attend a special school that is supposed to help her to learn to function in society. Moose hates the change. Not only does he not interact with his dad much, he is now required to watch his challenging sister every day after school so his mom can teach piano lessons. As he adjusts to island living, he finds himself in some situations that may cost his dad his job and Natalie"s position in THE school.

This book is at times humorous and other times heart-wrenching. Ms. Choldenko develops her characters well and creates an engaging plot. If I had had the time, I could have finished this book in one sitting.

Natalie is what we would call "autistic" or "on the spectrum"  in today's society. Because Ms. Choldenko's sister, Gina, was autistic, she portrays Natalie in a realistic manner and also Moose, as a sibling trying to be a supportive yet struggling to reconcile the impact her behavior has on him and his family. She also reveals the tenison the parents experience. The mother's reaction to Natalie's condition was superbly achieved. 

Warnings/discussions: autism & its impact on the individual and his/her loved ones, intense moments when Natalie has tantrums,  Moose describes a large woman's chest as watermelons jiggling, when Moose returns after leaving Natalie alone, he discovers her with a convict, holding hands with him-he is afraid something more intimate has happened between them-she is obessessed with him-nothing graphic is stated but the mature reader can infer Moose's fears (nothing did happen), lying, Moose's father gives him a half of a beer when they were both upset

-Borrowed from the library

How to Build a Hug by Amy Guglielmo & Jacqueline Tourville illustrated by Giselle Potter*

 When I taught elementary in the public school system, during my last three and a half years, I typically taught at least one child who was on the Austism spectrum. How I wish this book had been published eighteen years ago! The authors depict Temple Grandin's struggle with sensory stimuli in a descriptive, relatable manner. Children who are not autistic will have a better understanding of what their friends are enduring on a moment by moment basis.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Henry, Like Always by Jenn Bailey illustrated by Mika Song*

Won 2024 Honor Geisel Award! ("The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year.")  AND

A Schneider Family Book Award Winner!

Henry, who is on the autism spectrum, must deal with a change in their weekly schedule. Readers will admire his perseverance and also his problem-solving skills. 

Short chapters with plenty of illustrations make this a great book for beginning readers. This book is a sequel to A Friend for Henry.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Bird Will Soar by Alison Green Myers

 2022-Youth Media Winner-for Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience.

Out of all the novels/chapter books for this year's ALA winners, this one looked the most interesting. 

Alex, an autistic boy, loves birds. In his own backyard he observes eagles raising their eaglets. A tornado whips through their neighborhood and destroys the tree, holding the nest. A different tree crashes into their home. As a result, Alex's estranged father returns to help repair their home. Suddenly Alex realizes that his mother and the adults in his life have kept secrets from him. Will order ever be restored?

Each chapter begins with a new poem. I looked forward to reading them! Ms. Myers not only weaves together a family story but also creates poems that support the story's development. 

Originally I decided to read this book so I could pass it along to my twelve year old who loves birds. I won't be recommending it to him.

Warnings/points to discuss: Alex's home is on the property of two men, Emmett and George. They are lovers. Their physical affection for each other is displayed by one laying a hand on top of the other and a kiss on the cheek. When I read the summary about the book, I thought it was about an autistic boy, his love for birds and his struggle with his parents' separation. I was not aware of this element. If I had known about this inclusion, I would not have borrowed it. Once I started, I enjoyed Alex and his story, so I finished the book.  Alex's parents have been separated because of the father's alcoholism. Also, if readers are not familiar with autism, it would be good to discuss the spectrum and its implications.

-Borrowed from the library.

Chester and Gus by Cammie McGovern*

I read this middle grade novel aloud to my nine year old.  He loved it.  Even my twelve year old listened toward the end.
The novel begins when Chester, a chocolate lab, is still with his mother, hoping to be paired with "his person".  Penny, a dog trainer, takes him to her home to train him to be a service dog.  One big problem.  Loud noises scared him.  As a result, he does not pass his service dog test.  Penny, however, thinks she has discovered that he can learn to read.  She reluctantly allows him to live with a family with an autistic son, Gus.  At first Chester does not know how he can help Gus, but over time Chester learns how to read and understand him.  When Gus really needs him, he is removed from the home and living with Penny.  How can he convince her to return him to the home where "his person" is?
Ms. McGovern's one son is autistic so she authentically portrays the struggle and heart ache a family with autism experiences.
The book is told from Chester's point of view, which bothered me for a bit, but soon the story swept me away, and it was okay!
*Highly recommended by my nine year old.

Because of the Rabbit by Cynthia Lord

I read this book aloud to my nine year old son.  Since he is relational and loves animals, I figured this book would appeal to him.  He did in fact love it!
All of her life Emma has been homeschooled.  For her fifth grade year, however, she decides to give public school a try.  Her older brother Owen began public school the previous year and adjusted well (He is full of advice!).  The truth is, she misses him and their days together.  Homework, his friends and sports occupy most of his attention.
The night before she begins public school her father, a game warden, receives a phone call concerning a rabbit stuck in a woman's fence.  When she and her father go to rescue it, they soon realize that this rabbit was someone's pet.  They take it to the animal shelter, but no one has reported a rabbit like this one.  With a bit of persuasion, Emma convinces her father to allow her to keep the rabbit until someone claims it.
The book focuses on Emma adjusting to public school, making friends, and discovering what kind of friend she wants to be.  Jack, a student in Emma's class, is autistic. 
The fifth grade pettiness annoyed me (but Ms. Lord is accurately portraying this tumultuous time!).
I appreciated Ms. Lord's insight about her inspiration for the book. 
*Highly recommended by my nine year old.
-Borrowed from the library.

Bat and the Waiting Game by Elana K. Arnold illustrated by Charles Santoso*

My eight year old and I love this newer series.  He read it first to himself.  I had to wait for him to finish it before I could enjoy it!
Bat, who is Autistic, must adjust to after school changes.  Because his sister Janie has play practice, he must stay at his new friend Israel's house two afternoons a week.  As he negotiates the new schedule, he learns a lot about being a friend, saying sorry and thinking of others.
A very sweet book.
*Highly recommend.
Points to discuss: Autism, parents are divorced

The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary by Laura Shovan*

The school board has decided to close Emerson Elementary so a grocery store can be built on the lot.  For various reasons the eighteen students in Ms. Hill's 5th grade class are devastated that the school is closing.  To ease their sorrow she has them create poems throughout the year which they will place in a time capsule. 
The reader learns about each student via their poems throughout the four school quarters. 
The story does not end perfectly (very realistic), but the satisfaction arrives from the positive changes within the characters.
The teacher never makes her own appearance.  The reader learns bits of her life through the students' poems. 
In the back Ms. Shovan offers explanation for the different types of poems utilized and shares poetry activities.
Strategies: inferring, character traits
*Highly recommend.
Mentor text for poetry.
-Borrowed via Inter Library Loan.  My county does not own this book.

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King by Ben Hatke

Jack and his friend Lilly are searching for Maddy, Jack's autistic sister.  They had followed her through a portal and enter an eerie, mysterious world where goblins, rats and giants rule.  Will they all be able to return home safely?
My eleven year old and I both read this to ourselves independent of each other.
It is perfect for older, struggling readers as the text is limited and the visuals tell most of the story.
Points to discuss/warning: word "a**" is used as a swear word; Lilly kisses Jack on the lips.

A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold illustrated by Charles Santoso*

Bixby Alexander Tam's (aka "Bat") mom is veterinarian and one day she brings home a kit, a baby skunk which she saved from a pregnant, injured mother skunk.  Bat immediately falls in love with the kit and is determined to convince his mother to let him keep it forever!
The author gracefully incorporates diversity.  Bat is on the autistic spectrum.  His struggles are integrated in the story but not the focus.   The family is also biracial.  More books like this one are needed so children can read books that reflect them!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Points to discuss: parents are divorced; autism
 

Silent Days, Silent Dreams by Allen Say

Mr. Say researched the deaf, autistic and probably dyslexic artist, James Castle and wrote this fictionalized account of his life.  The story is based on true facts, but Mr. Say had to imagine many interactions and feelings as there is not much information available about Mr. Castle.
Mr. Castle perseveres and pursues his love for drawing despite abuse and neglect from his family and educators.
Very sad yet inspiring at the same time.
Pair with Wonder by R. J. Palacio.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Someday Birds by Sally J. Pla illustrated by Julie McLaughlin*

I love birds so this book was a delight for me!
Charlie who is obsessive-compulsive and on the autism spectrum travels cross country with his boy crazy sister and two younger twin brothers and a woman he and his siblings barely know to be with their dad in Virginia.  Their father was hit by an IED and is suffering from a brain injury.  The hospital and the doctors there are suppose to be the best.
To console himself, Charlie searches for birds in particular states which on his and his father's "someday list".
What I like the most about this book is the author is not preachy about Charlie's differences nor does she have an agenda . . .she develops him and the other characters intentionally yet subtly that the reader feels like he/she is right there with them, watching them be transformed by experiences.

Mrs. Pla, however, did have an error in her research.  In PA the group stops in Amish country.  She says an Amish barn had hex signs on it but Amish and Mennonites consider them "pagan" (unless the Amish girl, Anna, was acting a part in the restaurant wasn't really Amish).  Anna, the "Amish girl" says "gosh" which would not be permitted.
Warning: a few swear words (not throughout)
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke

Jack must watch his younger sister, Maddy, for the summer.  Maddy is autistic and does not talk.  So when she tells Jack to buy a case of odd looking seeds, Jack listens to her because she actually talked.  Together they maintain the garden but evil lurks and threatens the wonderful summer.
Mr. Hatke has taken the original Jack and the Beanstalk and transformed it into a modern story.
The book ends on a cliff hanger but the sequel will not be published until September 5, 2017.
My fourth grader read this book three times, straight through, in three days!  It is very exciting and full of adventure.
Warning: Jack has a bit of an attitude at times but really has a good heart.  The mom says the word "crap".

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin*

This book will make you cry.
Ms. Martin portrays Rose, a fifth grader with Autism (high functioning, very intelligent) with sensitivity and insight.  Rose loves homophones (she calls them homonyms), rules, and numbers ( prime numbers).  But ultimately she loves her dog, Rain, who her father found in the rain.
During a hurricane, her father leaves Rain outside to do her business and she does not return.  The story relates how Rose searches for her and ultimately must make a tough decision.
*Highly recommend.

Points to discuss/warnings:  Two times the father swears-pg. 93 and pg. 127.  The father drinks too much and almost hits Rose but instead slams his fist into her dog's back.  In the end her father drops her off at her Uncle Weldon's house and does not return (for her own good which the reader can infer the father really does care about her and recognizes how he is not fit to raise her). Death of her mother (Rose does not find out until the end of the story).  Autism (portrayed well and with sensitivity).  Affects of a hurricane.

My Friend Has Autism by Amanda Doering Tourville illustrated by Kristin Sorra

In a story-like fashion, the author shares the relationship of Nick and Zack.  From Nick's point of view, he explains what is like to be friends with someone who has autism.  Fact boxes further explain what Nick is saying.
A great book to read for a child first interacting with someone Autistic.