by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Twelve-year-old Jason has a beautiful mind. He also has an autism spectrum disorder. Despite the highly imaginative stories he submits on a website called Storyboard, he struggles to fit in with his "neurotypical" peers in middle school, as well as members of his own family. Try as he might to interact with people in a regular manner, his sensory perceptions of events around him do not allow him to understand what he is supposed to do all of the time. Meanwhile, the students and teachers in his class label him as weird and difficult to handle. Because he is anything but typical, he is also anything but popular. It would surprise those who know Jason that any of these things bother him, but they do hurt him deeply. The good news is that he has finally found a friend on the Storyboard chat room that not only admires his writing, but also confides in him just like any other friend would do. Jason is thrilled to interact with a girl named "PhoenixBird", who encourages him to keep writing more stories because she enjoys them so much. This is perfect situation for Jason because it takes the pressure off of him to act normal. He is sure that they will never meet in person. But the annual Storyboard Convention is coming up; as a surprise, Jason's parents have booked him a flight to attend it. Jason promises to tell PhoenixBird all about it, but he doesn't need to, because she is going as well. She tells him that she can't wait to finally meet him! This turn of events puts Jason in a tailspin because he knows that this girl will reject him when she finds out who he really is. Told through the eyes of Jason, the reader is able to view the world through his thoughts, feelings, and the many ways he gets confused throughout the day. This book is highly recommended for anyone who has been touched by someone who suffers from autism. It is sure to help you understand that person much better because it enables you to walk around in their shoes for awhile.
Recommended for grades 5-9
Reviewed by Rozanne Porter
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