Do we really... really listen to each other? Do we really... really see each other?
In this amazingly mind-stretching story sixth-grader Aurora P. is best friends with sixth-grader Frenchie, who is on the autism spectrum. He's non-verbal so he doesn't communicate with words. But that doesn't mean he doesn't communicate. His best friend Aurora watches his body language and gets to know what it means when he moves his shoulders or holds stiffly still. She really "gets" him because she pays very close attention.
The two friends spend day after day outdoors in nature or supporting each other at school. Well, they did until the sixth grade rolled around and they weren't in the same class. This is a huge change in both of their lives.
We all know things change. But Aurora's life is utterly intertwined with Frenchie's life...along with her adopted little brother Cedar P. and her parents. It's not comfortable when the person you depend on is suddenly pulled out of your life and you have to figure out a whole new way to belong.
Through Aurora's adventures with Frenchie we get to meet people in their community, one moment of connection at a time. Do people accept Frenchie, the boy who does not speak? Amazingly, Frenchie touches each one of them simply by being who he is and the connections spring into action when Frenchie goes missing....and everyone is coming together to find him.
A deeply touching story about a boy who understands so much but can't tell us using words. An equally deeply touching story about the way we miss each other... we don't listen... we don't take a moment to understand someone and accept the treasure they hold inside.
Get the hankies out.... it's a humdinger.
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
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A big-hearted, beautiful, and funny novel told from multiple viewpoints about neurodiversity, friendship, and community from the award-winning author of The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle, Leslie Connor.
Eleven-year-old Aurora Petrequin’s best friend has never spoken a word to her. In fact, Frenchie Livernois doesn’t talk.
Aurora is bouncy, loud and impulsive—“a big old blurter.” Making friends has never come easily. When Frenchie, who is autistic, silently chose Aurora as his person back in third grade, she chose him back. They make a good team, sharing their love of the natural world in coastal Maine.
In the woods, Aurora and Frenchie encounter a piebald deer, a rare creature with a coat like a patchwork quilt. Whenever it appears, Aurora feels compelled to follow.
At school, Aurora looks out for Frenchie, who has been her classmate until this year. One morning, Frenchie doesn’t make it to his classroom. Aurora feels she’s to blame. The entire town begins to search, and everyone wonders: how is it possible that nobody has seen Frenchie?
At the heart of this story is the friendship between hyper-talkative Aurora and nonvocal Frenchie. Conflict arises when Aurora is better able to expand her social abilities and finds new friends. When Frenchie goes missing, Aurora must figure out how to use her voice to help find him, and lift him up when he is found.
Featuring a compelling mystery and a memorable voice, this is a natural next-read after Leslie Connor’s The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle.--from the publisher
336 pages 978-0062999368 Ages 8-12
Keywords: friends, friendship, neurodiverse, autism, disabilities, environment, self esteem, getting lost, community, 8 year old, 9 year old, 10 year old, 11 year old, 12 year old
