First published 2013
Thirteen-year-old Naoki Higashida cannot speak aloud, but he has much to say. Using an alphabet grid, he painstakingly builds words and sentences to answer the questions people ask about autism. Why do autistic people talk loudly? Why do they line up toys in perfect rows? Why do they avoid eye contact? Why do they jump? Naoki tackles each question with startling honesty. When he jumps, he explains, his feelings rise toward the sky. Through his careful responses, Naoki reveals how his mind works differently from others. He shares his thoughts on words, laughter, and memory. His perspective challenges common assumptions about autism and offers a rare glimpse into a misunderstood experience. This memoir gives parents and families a bridge to understanding their autistic loved ones.
Genres: autobiography, mental-illness, non-fiction, disability
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: first-person-narrative, unique-perspective
135 pages · Hardcover · Random House