Of Mice and Aliens: An Asperger Adventure (Asperger Adventures) by Hoopmann, Kathy (2001) Paperback

by Kathy Hoopmann

Ben's attempt to cope with his newly diagnosed Asperger Syndrome is complicated by the crash landing in his back yard of an alien who knows nothing about Earth's rules and norms.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fantasy

Paperback Bunko

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Michael Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that is unabashedly about Asperger Syndrome. It's not camouflaged or candy-coated in any way. In fact, to an adult reader it's painfully obvious what concepts are being explored... but this book is not designed for adult readers. It's designed for very young readers with Asperger Syndrome, and those kids need for things to be fairly obvious; one of the traits of Asperger's is that the Aspergian sometimes has trouble reading between the lines. Well, there's not much between the lines here... in fact, when Ben, the hero of the story, has an Asperger's-related difficulty (he has many within the short time-frame of the story), the adults in the story generally talk it over with him in some detail to help him work through it. Things wind up getting spelled out pretty clearly before they're over with.

My son, who has not been formally diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome but who has too many of the signs (including a father who is likely diagnosable as well) to ignore, is 11 years old, and he would read this book in one sitting. It's quite a bit below his comprehension level (he's a Rick Riordan kind of guy), and I don't think he would particularly get a lot out of it... but he might surprise me. I'd say this book might be very helpful to an early chapter-book reader, maybe of age 9 or even 8, who had Asperger's or who had a sibling or friend with Asperger's, but for an older child, it's going to sound like something they have to read for a lesson in school, a little bit more "teachy" than "recreational."

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping this night help my son that has asperger's. It had some good insights here and there, but it was a bit wordy.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a great detailed look at life with AS, not what I was expecting anyway. It seemed to go on and on about Ben's Asperger's without really detailing it too much about it, or living with it, and how his parents really felt but I guess as a Children's book it is a lovely entry level look at the mind of a child with Asperger's.

However one thing really got me, if Ben is in to Star Trek he wouldn't have said "Star Trek go to them." He would have labelled the characters, and ships, and gone into far too detail. It's would be like a Doctor Who fan calling the Doctor "Doctor Who". It's not right and the Asperger's in Ben would have prevented him from saying it so wrongly. . .

The similarities to Ben and the Zeke were almost heart-breaking scary. . . But the portrayal of the teachers and their response is accurate - adults really do see Asperger's children has being cheeky and rude when they follow instructions to the letter.

[Mrs. Warde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate this series and having the book written from an autistic child's perspective. That's very important for my kids to read. However I am bothered by the occasional ableism, and the attitude of the child's father, "you're smart, you should be able to figure this out on your own" shit. I don't want my kids picking up *that* lesson, and I hope I'm not giving it myself to them. I was also disappointed that there was no actual explaining of human societal norms to the alien, just reactionary stuff with the explanation "that's just how things are." oK realize this is a kids book, but they are underestimating kids. This could have been so good but they dropped the ball with executing the concept.

[Dirk Bannion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this series on recommendation for my son who is autistic. He really enjoyed them and was able to relate well to the main characters awkwardness and inward feelings. Recommended for anyone with an autistic child to read together with them.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting shows a new look about asburgers.

[Theresa Hildebrand · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like that kids who are on the Autism spectrum will be able to see themselves in a book. However, I know that my own child is hesitant to have classmates know that he is on the spectrum. I have to wonder about the comfort level of a child with Autism checking out a book that is subtitled, An Asperger Adventure. This book series may be a great way for younger NT siblings gain some insight into the mind of as Asperger.

[Kristylemmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one a lot more than her first story about Ben (an adolescent with Asperger's Syndrome). She illustrated some really key issues with interaction and emotion management without being preachy. Once again, it requires a huge suspension of disbelief and it ties up quite neatly at the end, but most kids' books do!

[B · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the plot was contrived and uninteresting..an alien crashes in the back yard of Ben, a boy with Asperger's. Zeke, the alien, behaves much like Ben, taking everything literally, not "getting" social situations, etc.

Perhaps a child with Asperger's would like this story..that's why I'm not discounting it entirely and gave it two stars.

[Justin Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this series on recommendation for my son who is autistic. He really enjoyed them and was able to relate well to the main characters awkwardness and inward feelings. Recommended for anyone with an autistic child to read together with them.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the other AS book that I mentioned in my review. It was also wonderful - and both are very quick reads b/c they're books for kids.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, fun story about aliens and friendship. Good explanation of how confusing a neuro-typical adult world can be to kids with autism!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

My friends son has Aspergers Syndrome, so that's why I read this. It's a cute story to give me a glimpse of understanding. Cute little story and It was a quick read.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, my 7year old Aspie son read it and loved it. I read it too and had no problem with the content. Hope to see more like it.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another cute, easy read about Asperger's. It's just a fun middle-grade fiction story in which the author also educates one on what it is like to have Asperger's. It's a refreshing tactic.