As a reader, you really understand autism in an different way and this leads you to be introspective. And to top it all off, there is essentially no plot other than the day to day struggle of living with autism. The explanations we do get for Autistic traits were quite shallow and I did have to remind myself constantly throughout this that our narrative perspective is from an 11 year old girl and this was co-authored by someone of a similar age. Still, I have mixed feelings about aspects of this, since I know from my own experience that I can have a unique and different brain with all of the "pros" that Tally listed in her diary, without all of the "cons" staying at their worst forever. Most powerful of all is Tally’s ultimate realisation that autism is not something that needs to be hidden.

The book's descriptions of her feelings, and her explanations for things that don't make sense to other people, are near-perfect.

But it was the specific feeling that people don’t understand why you behave in certain ways and the frustration of those needs not being met. New people, new routines, bells, shouting, clusters and communes of people, and whole realms of expectations.

People think that because Tally's autistic , she doesn't realise what they're thinking, but Tally sees and hears - and notices - all of it . As a parent who’s going through some of these experiences (purely as a spectator, which I know is not the same) I found some camaraderie with in the pages, which is what I was hoping for my daughter when I bought it. We need more characters like Tally in the media because maybe some of the less stereotypical demographics in our community might be able to get better access to help and diagnosis at an age where the support is crucial for learning how to navigate the world. They would also only drop off a case of books and leave us to run it – it was so lovely to have you on hand to chat to the children and recommend them books, as well as the small (but appreciated!Decent as an autism portrayal, enough so that I'm planning to read the sequel, but not a first-choice recommendation for a MG book in general. However I think it's equally important for all teachers, support staff and anyone who works with, or knows, an autistic child to read this book. When she starts her new school, everything is very big and overwhelming and she has to find ways to hide her autism, but what if she doesn't have to? I haven't charted out my visits for the summer term, but I'm sure there are several in the south) and thanks so much for being so fantastic! His autism is hinted at but not referred to directly, and all young readers will empathise with Henry and find reassurance in the book’s ultimate message of hope.