Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine is about Caitlin, a 5th grader with autism. Her mother died of cancer and her older brother, Devon was recently shot and killed in a school shooting. Having Asperger's, a high functioning form of autism, Caitlin sees everything in black and white. She often misunderstands and misinterprets what people say and do. Seeking solace in her dictionary, Caitlin reads the definition for 'closure' and decides that's what she and her dad need to find. In her quest for closure, Caitlin makes some discoveries about herself and others she never could have imagined!

This was an awesome and touching story. I loved the way the author wrote from Caitlin's point of view. Despite only seeing things in black and white, Caitlin's observations were often more astute than people who typically see in "color".

Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko

Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko is the sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts (a Maud Hart Lovelace nominee from the 2007 - 2008 school year). It takes place at Alcatraz, the island prison just off the coast of California, in 1935, during the time Al Capone was imprisoned there. The civilian residents on the island have their laundry done by the convicts. As a result, Al Capone is able to slip a note to Moose, the main character, asking for a favor. Moose is reluctant to do a favor for a criminal, knowing he might end up in really big trouble - either with his parents, the warden, or in debt to Al Capone! But, Moose feels obligated to help because he knows Al Capone somehow got Natalie (Moose's autistic sister) into a special school from which she had previously been denied entrance twice. Moose decides to do the favor, which is to buy yellow roses for Al Capone's wife and deliver them to her on the ferry from the main land. Unfortunately, this starts a chain of events which Moose never could have predicted - ending in an escape attempt by three convicts!

I liked this book, though not as much as Al Capone Does My Shirts. The sequel had the same characters - Annie, Moose's baseball playing friend from the island, Piper, the warden's scheming daughter, Jimmy, Moose's fly-breeding friend on the island and his sister Theresa, Scout, Moose's friend from school on the main land, and Janet, the most hated guard's daughter. There was a lot more drama from the prison in this book. It really showed more of the 'nastiness' of the prisoners. I really liked the author's note in the back, explaining the research behind the story and the facts about Alcatraz and its residents through the years. This book comes out in September, 2009.

The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd

The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd is about Ted and Kat, siblings who find out their cousin, Salim, is staying overnight at their house for a few nights on his way to move to New York with his mom. Salim really wants to ride the London Eye, a huge ferris wheel that rotates once each 1/2 hour. While waiting in line, a stranger offers the kids a free ticket to ride. Because Ted and Kat had ridden the Eye in the past, they let Salim go alone with the free ticket. They watched their cousin get on the 'pod' and waited for him to return 30 minutes later. But, when the 'pod' came back down, Salim wasn't on it. Eventually, they realize that Salim has vanished and he's not coming back. Ted and Kat make it their mission to find Salim.

This was a great mystery! The entire time I read, I kept trying to solve the mystery. I thought I had it all figured out, but I wasn't even close!! I really enjoyed this book! Ted is autistic and thinks a little differently than most people. I really liked the way the author made Ted the hero because of this difference.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Rules by Cynthia Lord is about Catherine, the older sister of David who has been diagnosed with autism. Catherine has set up a set of rules for David to teach him how to behave. His rules consist of things like, "Say 'thank you' when someone gives you a present (even if you don't like it)" and "You can yell at a playground, but not at dinner" and "Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you." When a new girl moves in next door, just Catherine's age, she is thrilled to have a new friend, even though Kristi has begun hanging out with Ryan, a boy who has always terrorized David. Catherine also makes a new friend while going to David's doctor appointments. Jason is in a wheelchair and can't talk. Catherine notices that he uses a notebook filled with single words to communicate. Because of her artistic abilities, Catherine begins making new words for Jason's notebook - things that teenagers say like, "Whatever" and "Stinks a big one" and "Why not?" As Catherine gets to know Jason, the cards begin to reflect what's going on in Catherine's life, including her feelings toward Kristi, Ryan, and her family life with David. In the end Catherine learns some big lessons about life and how to treat other people.

I absolutely loved this book. I read it in one day because I couldn't put it down! I really felt a connection with Catherine. She was such a nice girl, trying to do the right things. This is one of the 2009 - 2010 Maud Hart Lovelace nominees.

Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin is about Jason, a 6th grader who is autistic. The story is told through his point of view. Jason knows he's different than other people. He knows he pulls his hair and flaps his hands. He know most people don't understand and don't really like him. He can tell when people are making fun of him and when people are being genuinely nice (which doesn't happen a lot). His dad and brother seem to understand Jason pretty well, but his mom struggles. The only place where Jason feels comfortable being himself is online. He belongs to StoryBoard, a place for kids to write original stories and share them over the Internet. His powerful writing attracted the attention of a girl, who regularly corresponds with him through e-mail. They share stories and give tips and ideas about each other's work. Jason even begins referring to her as his girlfriend! Then, his parents throw a huge surprise at him - they are taking him to the StoryBoard Writing Convention this year! This is something he's always wanted to do! He's so excited and can't wait to tell Rebecca. But then Jason finds out that Rebecca is going, too. He is terrified that once she sees him for the first time, she won't want to be his friend anymore. This terror almost causes Jason to lose the chance to go. His parents don't understand why he's so upset about the convention and decide he must be afraid to fly so they set up a "flying simulator" in the living room and make him practice every night! The truth is, Jason is worried about losing the only real friend he has ever had because of his autism.

I loved this book! I have never read a story like this. It was interesting the way the author showed Jason's perspective on everything - his flapping and hair pulling, why he pushed over the potter's wheel in art, how he deals with new situations, etc. It makes me wonder what kind of experience Nora Baskin has had with a person with autism. I also liked the way she wove ideas about autism and writing techniques within the story. Greak book!