Same But Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express
Teen Life on the Autism Express
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4.6 • 9 Ratings
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- $5.99
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
Talk show host Holly Robinson Peete pairs with her twins in this narrative about the challenges and triumphs of being a teen who has autism and the effects on family, school, friends, and life.Being a teen is hard enough. But when you have autism--or when your brother or sister is struggling with the disorder--life can be challenging. It's one thing when you're a kid in grade school, and a playdate goes south due to autism in a family. Or when you're a little kid, and a vacation or holiday turns less-than-happy because of an autistic family member. But being a teen with autism can get pretty hairy--especially when you're up against dating, parties, sports, body changes, school, and other kids who just don't 'get' you. In this powerful book, teenagers Ryan Elizabeth Peete and her twin brother, Rodney, who has autism, share their up-close-and-personal experiences on what it means to be a teen living with autism. SAME BUT DIFFERENT, explores the funny, painful, and unexpected aspects of teen autism, while daring to address issues nobody talks about. SAME BUT DIFFERENT underscores tolerance, love, and the understanding that everybody's unique drumbeat is worth dancing to.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The Peetes (My Brother Charlie) revisit the topic of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), this time in a novel featuring fictionalized versions of twin teenagers Ryan Elizabeth and RJ Peete, coauthors with their mother. Fifteen-year-old Callie loves her brother Charlie, yet after years of constant supervision, "Team Charlie" meetings, and explanations to teachers, she is eager to escape the "The Charlie Show" when she begins 10th grade while Charlie repeats ninth. Though Charlie is similarly happy to be away from his sister, he needs her love and attention as he navigates a world of mean-spirited friends and dating mishaps, as well as the loss of a favorite pet. The Peetes excel in representing the multiple adjustments needed to accommodate ASD, from the cacophony of sounds, smells, and colors that agitate Charlie to the way a simple dinner must be arranged to avoid an outburst. Told in the alternating voices of Charlie and Callie, the short vignettes are rife with saccharine motivational sayings ("Even though I have autism, autism doesn't have me"), which detract from an otherwise thoughtful presentation of autism's impact on a family. Ages 12 up.
Customer Reviews
Awesome book!
Finally I have a book where my kiddo with autism and my kiddos without autism can understand each other. Even though it is written from a teen perspective. My kiddos have more empathy for their youngest brother. And they're not even pre teens. We laughed and laughed. They got it. We all got it. @cedarhillmom