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The Blue Rose
Brief text and black and white photographs explain how Jenny is different from other girls and why she needs more love and understanding.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 20, 2022
Book #46 for 2022
The Legendary Book Club of Habitica's Ultimate Reading Challenge: An out-of-print book
Linz and Tress's Reading Challenge: Read a book that has a type of plant or flower in the title
The Caffeinated Reader's Audiobook Challenge #29
The 52 Book Club: A book based on a real person (Jenny Innerfield)
Alphabet Soup: B
Four Moon Reading Challenge: Read a book then leave a review
I consider this a re-read, even though my first encounter with it was the condensed Reader's Digest version back in the late '70s or early '80s. Reading the full text forty or so years later, I understand a little bit better why adults were confused when I self-diagnosed as autistic because of Jenny's story. Their response was typically something along the lines of, "Don't be silly, you're not ret*****." Because in the full version, Jenny is explicitly taunted with the r-word (which was still a commonly used term in 1974, although clearly used as a slur in the context of the story), and the conversation surrounding the book identified Jenny as developmentally disabled, not autistic. I may not have some of the co-moribidities Jenny had (and presumably still has, as my understanding is that she is still alive), but I identified very strongly with her struggles for acceptance and understanding her own differentness.
I was apprehensive about revisiting this story, but I'm glad I did. Klein wrote this for a young audience, to promote understanding, kindness, acceptance, and compassion. She did so with grace and obvious affection for Jenny, and it's a message that many in the "Autism Awareness" camps could stand to hear today.
The Legendary Book Club of Habitica's Ultimate Reading Challenge: An out-of-print book
Linz and Tress's Reading Challenge: Read a book that has a type of plant or flower in the title
The Caffeinated Reader's Audiobook Challenge #29
The 52 Book Club: A book based on a real person (Jenny Innerfield)
Alphabet Soup: B
Four Moon Reading Challenge: Read a book then leave a review
I consider this a re-read, even though my first encounter with it was the condensed Reader's Digest version back in the late '70s or early '80s. Reading the full text forty or so years later, I understand a little bit better why adults were confused when I self-diagnosed as autistic because of Jenny's story. Their response was typically something along the lines of, "Don't be silly, you're not ret*****." Because in the full version, Jenny is explicitly taunted with the r-word (which was still a commonly used term in 1974, although clearly used as a slur in the context of the story), and the conversation surrounding the book identified Jenny as developmentally disabled, not autistic. I may not have some of the co-moribidities Jenny had (and presumably still has, as my understanding is that she is still alive), but I identified very strongly with her struggles for acceptance and understanding her own differentness.
I was apprehensive about revisiting this story, but I'm glad I did. Klein wrote this for a young audience, to promote understanding, kindness, acceptance, and compassion. She did so with grace and obvious affection for Jenny, and it's a message that many in the "Autism Awareness" camps could stand to hear today.
July 9, 2010
That all of us are lucky to live a normal day and also that Jenny is different than other children but that is why she is a blue rose.
August 6, 2011
I have an autograph copy of this book! Wonderful story that celebrates our differences.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews