The Reason I Jump - a review

As you know, I usually feature children's book on Shelf-employed, however, this book, like Temple Grandin's, How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World, should be a "must-read" for teachers and librarians, and anyone who would like to hear "The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year Old Boy with Autism."


Higashida, Naoki. 2013. The Reason I Jump. New York: Random House.
Translated by KA Yoshida and David Mitchell.

With help from a computer and an alphabet grid, Naoki Higashida wrote a book that opens a window into the workings of a child's autistic mind. Written as a series of answers to simple questions such as:

• "Why do you ask the same question over and over?"
• "Why can't you have a proper conversation?"
• "Why do you move your arms and legs about in that awkward way?"

   Naoki explains, to the best of his ability, why he (and others like him), do the things that they do.  Of course, not all people with autism are the same, but many have similar behaviors, and we should jump at the chance to understand them a bit better.

You can read this heartfelt book on your lunch hour.  It will be well worth your time.

Click here for the "Look Inside" widget from Random House, which allows you to preview the first 29 pages of The Reason I Jump.


Today is Nonfiction Monday.  Read all of today's posts at our new location, Nonfiction Monday.