Autism Acceptance (Older)

(2) YA Seventeen-year-old Lark is sure that once they hit fifty thousand Twitter followers, an agent will pick up their novel, and they'll finally be able to prove they're "worthy of being loved." Lark--who lives in West Philly and is Black, nonbinary, polyamorous, and neurodivergent--takes summer writing classes with other Black, queer teens, including their ex-best friend Kasim. Lark and Kasim butt heads because Lark believes in unconditional love and forgiveness, while revolutionary Kasim would rather "burn down" everything wrong with society. But when Kasim accidentally posts about his own unrequited love from Lark's Twitter account, the thread goes viral, and Lark takes credit. As Lark lies for internet fame, they can't help but wonder: who is Kasim really in love with? And does Lark even love themself? The Twitter posts re-created throughout are sometimes hilarious, sometimes unsettlingly real, exploring internet callout culture and what it truly takes to grow from one's mistakes. The novel can be didactic at times, but the characters and their relationships are complex, engaging, and delightfully flawed. References to the COVID-19 pandemic are seamlessly interwoven into everyday life; frank discussions of topics like autism and ADHD in the Black community, and how to navigate polyamorous relationships, feel fresh and necessary in the YA sphere. A brief writing guide for aspiring teen authors is appended.

Reviewer: Bodie Shanis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(2) YA Leo's older brother, Caleb, has autism, epilepsy, and some developmental disabilities and has recently become physically aggressive. Leo, running away from Caleb out of necessity, finds a hidden talent and joins the high school cross-country and track teams. New friends help him maintain balance amidst the chaos. Leo's complicated relationship with Caleb and the suspenseful track races are the novel's strengths; the story ultimately takes a tragic turn.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(1) YA Through alternating first-person accounts, and with varied poetic styles, Elliott (A Place Inside of Me, rev. 11/20) and Miller-Lachmann (Rogue, rev. 9/13) present a thoughtfully structured and sensitively rendered verse novel set in early-1980s Brooklyn featuring two memorable protagonists. Seventh grader Pierre "Pie" Velez is an Afro-Latino with a brilliant mind and an artistic talent, both of which shine in the art room and in his graffiti tags (his narration ranges from concrete poetry to tricubes). Most of Pie's time is devoted to taking care of his younger sister and their mother, who experiences "nervous attacks." New classmate Joseph John "JJ" Pankowski (who narrates in more straightforward free verse) and his family have arrived in Brooklyn under the cover of night, after his father is blacklisted for union activity. Having been labeled with multiple learning disabilities, JJ is surprised to find himself in honors class at his new public school, until he realizes how disproportionately white students like him are chosen as honor students. Pie and JJ make a halting attempt at friendship, and Pie's explanations of lessons help JJ follow along in school. Outside racial tensions soon overshadow the relationship, and Pie and JJ are left to wonder whether it can survive. Both authors are adept at evocatively re-creating the setting, with references ranging from Ronald Reagan's anti-union stance to Jean-Michel Basquiat, Michael Jackson, and the Clash. Authors' notes give background on various aspects of the novel, including autism as a likely diagnosis for JJ, using today's terms.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(3) YA Everything changed for Quinn McAvoy when she began losing her hair due to alopecia. But starting high school across the country offers her a second chance, and a brand-new wig helps her fit in. Friend's natural dialogue and candid depictions of disability--from Quinn's little brother's autism to love interest Nick's above-knee amputation--delicately elevate this story from issues-novel territory.

Reviewer: Robyn Bahr

(2) YA Thirteen-year-old Samira's parents and older sister are in India for two weeks for a wedding, leaving her and her younger brother, Imran, at home in Minnesota with their maternal grandmother, Umma. Recovering from an awful seventh-grade year, Sammy hopes the time without her immediate family's interference will help her cope with the isolation she feels since being targeted by former-best-friend-now-bully Kiera. It is almost certainly Kiera who toilet-papered the tree in their front yard; Imran (who has autism) fixates on Sammy's offhand remark that they were targeted because they are brown and Muslim. New neighbor Alice seems eager to solve the mystery of who did it -- which makes nonconfrontational Sammy deeply uncomfortable. And she is wary of Alice's overtures of friendship, especially when Kiera tries to interfere. The protagonist is a relatable character; as an awkward middle child, she both craves and pushes away attention. Hamza tackles cultural diversity and prejudice with nuance, showing both overt occurrences of prejudice and microaggressions. The story features allies of different ages and appearances, along with Samira's own growing advocacy for herself and others.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2024

(2) YA David accidentally bids $2,000 in an online auction with his mother's credit card; he plans to pay her back with winnings from competitive eating contests. David takes pride in this particular talent, and in caring for his autistic younger brother, Mal. The first-person narrative explores the brothers' relationship in a nuanced way (except for occasionally ableist language) as David becomes more attuned to Mal's perspective.

Reviewer: Anastasia M. Collins | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(3) YA Chloe wants to find a boyfriend for her older sister, who has autism. Though their mom is "terrified," Chloe arranges for Ivy to go out with special-needs classmate Ethan--whose brother (and chaperone) turns out to be Chloe's nemesis; Ivy's sexual preference (revealed later) adds another twist. LaZebnik's frank treatment of sexuality and autism makes this a welcome addition to the growing body of literature depicting characters with disabilities.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(2) YA In an endearingly sarcastic voice, a British teen with Asperger's syndrome tells of her tenth-grade year. Grace faces disruptive changes at home (her parents may be splitting up) and at school, where peer relationships become more nuanced and complex. A sweet sort-of romance with classmate Gabe inspires Grace to take more social risks. This gentle, sensitive slice-of-life story seamlessly weaves Grace's unique neurological worldview with the universal angst of coming-of-age.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(2) YA It's the beginning of Whit's senior year, and after a summer spent in doctors' offices instead of at the pool with her friends or video-chatting with her now-long-distance boyfriend, she is ready to get back on track. Her plan is simple: lead the school Fall Fest committee to autumn-themed excellence, get closer to her younger sister, help Abuela at the tailoring shop, and manage her polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) so she can enjoy fall to the fullest. Nothing, of course, goes according to plan: Whit and her boyfriend break up. PCOS causes exhaustion, weight gain, and newly sprouting facial hair. In her concerns about her sister being mistreated for being autistic, Whit must face the fact that she was engaging in slightly ableist behavior herself. And Whit is partnered to plan Fall Fest events with Zay, her frustratingly attractive ex from middle school. Maldonado's writing warmly captures the charms and challenges of high school life for a Latina in a fat body, believably rendering the struggles and idiosyncrasies of teenagerhood. The heart-fluttering romance that ensues with the thoughtful Zay makes for a cozy autumnal read, but the depictions of friendship, family, and navigation of a chronic illness make this a solid choice for all seasons.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(3) YA Biracial British teen Garvie Smith (Running Girl) has a Sherlock Holmes–like intellect but is a lazy underachiever on the verge of flunking out. He becomes fixated on solving the murder of an autistic classmate, much to the chagrin of recently demoted Inspector Singh. High tension, skillful pacing, surprising plot twists, and intelligent yet flawed characters combine for an intriguing second mystery.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(2) YA Sixteen-year-old Ariana, self-diagnosed as selectively mute and autistic, is thrilled when popular Luis turns his attention toward her. But when he sexually assaults her and then brags about it to his friends ("It's not like she can say no"), Ariana is plagued with shame and self-doubt: "How can I blame him when I couldn't even bring myself to tell him to stop?" Enter the Luis Ortega Survival Club (TLOSC), a group of Luis's former friends and ex-flames, some of whom he also assaulted. They welcome Ariana with talk of revenge; soon genuine friendships bloom, and eventually something more between Ariana and bi member Shawni. Ari wants to expose Luis's crimes but doesn't know if she will ever be ready to make her rape public. Reyes (The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School) empathetically explores issues of consent and rape culture through a neurodiverse lens in this story of self-empowerment. Many readers will see themselves reflected in TLOSC's diverse membership and appreciate Ari's gradual understanding and ownership of her sexuality as she grows closer to Shawni and comes to realize that what happened with Luis was not her fault.

Reviewer: Jennifer Hubert Swan | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(2) YA Autistic American teen Martin Dubois begins attending a "general-ed" French high school while on location with his famous filmmaker mother. When he finds himself attracted to a girl in his class, Martin struggles to connect with her and to live in the neurotypical world. This story about where and how people find common ground offers a likable protagonist and an optimistic yet realistic denouement.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2018

(3) YA Color by Jon Proctor. Years ago, everyone "useful" was taken away by aliens to an unknown place, leaving the young, elderly, and disabled. Now teens, Sam and her twin brother Wyatt (who seems to be on the autism spectrum) find themselves in a unique position to help whoever is left--and hopefully find their parents. Walz's emotively illustrated graphic novel puts a heartfelt spin on the alien-takeover scenario.

Reviewer: Jessica Costello