Book review entries

Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome, by Luke Jackson

OK, so this isn't strictly a children's book: it's aimed at adolescents and adults. But I've just finished reading it, and I wanted to put it up here because I think it should be obligatory reading for all teachers and trainee teachers everywhere! The author is a 13 year old boy (well, he was at the time of writing it, in 2002) with a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome. He also has three brothers, one with dyspraxia and dyslexia, one with ADHD and one with autism. Naturally, he offers some highly informative and often moving insights into the way that people on the autistic spectrum view the world.
The book is written clearly, maturely and with humour, and it was so easy to read that I finished it in two sittings without once getting bored. Luke Jackson covers school, bullying, social interaction and the dating game as well as chapters on things that have helped him such as a gluten-free diet, and taekwondo. As well as this, the reference section at the back of the book is packed with recommended reading (all vetted by Luke) and a hugely useful list of explanations of all those bizarre everyday idioms that people with Asperger's find so hard to understand: "teach your grandmother to suck eggs", for example, or "have butterflies in your stomach".
There is no doubt that this book will be a primary point of reference for me if I ever (and eventually I surely will) have a child on the autistic spectrum in my classroom. Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest…(there, and now try explaining that idiom!)

: 15 Oct 2004 13:34 |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

The Very Worried Sparrow, by Meryl Doney

Title: The Very Worried Sparrow

Author: Meryl Doney

Type: Picture book

Age range: Key stage 1 (to be read to) year 3 (for individual reading)

Plot: Once there was a very worried sparrow. All the other sparrows were perfectly happy, but this one worried about everything: food, where to live, how to fly, whether he would find a mate. Eventually, however, a wise turtle dove comes to the rescue and shows the Very Worried Sparrow how to enjoy life.

Great for: – The pictures, which are beautiful, and take the story through all four seasons. Children love to pick the worried sparrow out of all his cheerful brothers and sisters. And it’s quite a skilful illustrator (William Geldart) who can successfully make a sparrow look concerned! – The repetition, which is great for shared reading aloud and for predicting what will happen next, especially as there is a surprise at the end when “the worried sparrow

…smiled!” – The different voices that allow for a dramatic reading which children enjoy. I like to do a quivery little voice for the sparrow, a high-pitched hyperactive chirp for his brothers and sisters, and a low coo for the turtle dove…the passage that describes "all the little things that every creature knows" is written in a poetic language distinct from the rest and is repeated at the end, so a special, low, soothing voice can be used for it.

Also useful for: RE (it’s based on Jesus’s saying about the sparrows) PSHE (What are we worried/scared about?) and for younger years, discussion about the seasons (why does the sparrow think he won't find food in winter? What will happen to the sparrows' eggs when it gets to spring time? What season is it now that there is blossom on the sparrows' tree?)

This is one of my very very favourites :)

: 08 Oct 2004 16:37 |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

'Coming to England' by Floella Benjamin

Here's my first PGCE review…

Title: Coming to England
Author: Floella Benjamin
Reading age: Years 5–6?
Dates: First published 1995, just re-released in paperback

This is the touching true story of the author's arrival in England in the 1960s. Plucked from her home in Trinidad, which she describes lovingly and colourfully for a large part of the book, Floella is plunged into a cold, grey country which she soon discovers is not quite the "land of hope and glory" she had been taught about. Encountering prejudice and unfriendliness from every side, she must learn not only to cope, but to strive to make her mark and win respect from her new countrymen. She manages this in an inspirational way.

The book is not only wonderful to read as pure story, but would also make a great discussion starter: in geography, there are ample chances to discuss differences and similarities between a child's life in Trinidad and England; in PSHD, the issues of racism and inclusion could spark debate.

: 05 Oct 2004 22:37 |  Comments (51) |  Close comments |  Report a problem