This past spring I started reading several books about children with special needs. The titles were Rules, Mockingbird, and Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. All of them are from the elementary library so they're easy reads.
Rules tells the story of a girl who has a younger brother with Autism. Since her brother struggles to remember basic social behaviors she makes a list of rules for him to recite and hopefully catch on to over time. An important rule for David to remember is Boys take off their shirts to swim, but not their shorts. The story has several funny anecdotes that will bare similarities to your own experiences if you have ever been close to a person with Autism.
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key tells Joey's story about living with his grandma because his mom and dad both have different problems that keep them from being suitable guardians. Joey has ADD and is wired!! If you work in the school system or in a job that involves children I'm sure you've encountered a Joey Pigza. The child who has great intentions and a sweet heart but cannot quit moving long enough to let any of it come out right.
Mockingbird was probably my favorite of the three. It references To Kill a Mockingbird which was a favorite of mine in high school. The main character is a little girl with Asperger's who has suffered the lose of her brother who used to explain the world to her. Now she is left alone with her dad and guidance counselor to help make sense of the world. As she sets out to find "Closure" she makes some new friends and some great realizations about interacting with others.
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