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Look Me in the Eye,
My Life with Asperger’s
by John Elder Robison
Three Rivers Press
Reprint edition (September 9, 2008)
My Friend Has Autism
by Amanda
Doering Tourville
Capstone Press
(February 2, 2010)
This wonderfully written memoir paints a unique
rollercoaster world of a brilliant man who has
both struggled with and embraced his Asperger’s
over a lifetime. John Elder Robison is a colorful
storyteller who takes us on a journey that spans
his life, childhood through adulthood. How he
came to terms with his family life is powerful.
John humorously tells of his odd habits and particular ways of thinking and speaking. He then
generously shares his insights, explains what he
has learned from them, and discusses how he
utilizes this knowledge to change the way he sees
himself and others. John’s magnanimous personality is evident throughout this book and is a gift
to all.
At some point in any journey through the autism
spectrum, a need will arise for a good children’s
book that explains autism. Amanda Doering
Tourville, with illustrator Kristin Sorra, presents
autism in very basic and accurate terms that
children of all ages can understand. The story,
told through the eyes of a young boy, explains
some of the challenges and rewards of a friendship with someone who has autism. As the story
moves along, the pages also contain a “Did you
know?” fact that is being described in the story.
This book not only teaches tolerance, understanding and acceptance of those who are different
from us but also illustrates the rewards of such a
friendship.
50 Zoom Autism Through Many Lenses