Same But Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express

by Holly Robinson Peete, R.J. Peete

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.

Genres: Young Adult, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Realistic Fiction, Mental Health, Disability, Fiction, Teen

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 23, 2016

About the author

Holly Elizabeth Robinson Peete is an American actress and singer. She is perhaps best known for her roles as Judy Hoffs on the Fox TV police drama 21 Jump Street, Vanessa Russell on the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, and Dr. Malena Ellis on the NBC/WB sitcom For Your Love. After graduating from high school, Peete entered Sarah Lawrence College in New York. She majored in psychology and French, and could speak four languages. During her time as an undergraduate, she spent a year abroad at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. After she graduated in 1986, she considered attending graduate school and perhaps working in languages for the U.S. State Department. However, her love of acting contributed to her decision to give an acting career a chance for a few months first. Within a short time, Peete found roles on a television series and in two films, and thoughts of graduate school were left behind.

Currently, she is one of the five co-hosts of the CBS daytime talk show The Talk, which premiered on October 18, 2010. Peete's children's book, "My Brother Charlie", won her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in March of 2011

Reviews

[Maggie Mattmiller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I reeeeally wanted to love this one. I even saw some of the lower-star reviews before reading it, and thought I would be the one to stand up for this book! But I just can't...

I think it's great to have a book about autism (family life with autism, school life with autism) that is based on truth, on real experiences, and not just a novel by someone who has done research. That's why my hopes were so high. But unfortunately, what I get from this book is that there is a sister who really doesn't like her brother or think highly of her brother. And this brother who is trying to tell people what it is like to be him, and I'm just praying he doesn't read what his sister is writing!

I'm not saying that "it's not that bad" or that she should put a front on and pretend everything is great or even get over the hard parts. But I'm all about balance. In her author's note, the sister tells her brother how much she loves him and is blown away by things he says- why is that not reflected anywhere in the book? It's okay to share the challenges- other siblings of kids on the spectrum will relate for sure! But to have none of the positive that you speak of in your note? Just makes you sound kind of bad (even if the feelings are understandable.)

Now, for the target audience: Unfortunately, while I do think siblings of kids on the spectrum will relate to Callie, I hope they don't think they should just loudly complain and vent at all times, without ever looking for the value in the relationship or for the good. I fear that kids on the spectrum who read this will think (or realize? wonder? fear?) that their siblings secretly hate them and never want to be around them. As for random kids/teens reading this book, I think they will just thank their lucky stars that they neither have autism, nor a sibling with autism. It might raise awareness, but does it raise acceptance? The little bit of acceptance/good in the last two chapters aren't quite redemptive enough or teaching enough to embrace Autism.

So while this book is well intentioned, and I'm telling you, I LOVE the idea, I just don't think it was executed well. I'm stuck on the sister's author's note where she talks about bringing up the challenging stuff and how maybe that was hard on her mom and especially her dad... But maybe it's because while it's true, there have been some tough patches that are hard to bring up, maybe because your parents even deep down realized there's a difference between bringing up tough topics, and just complaining/venting/sounding like you don't like your brother and only tolerate him because you're obligated as his twin. I really don't think that's the case (based on her note to her brother), but reading only the book- that's exactly what I'd think.

(Side note- I also loved Holly Robinson Peete's note. To me, that was real. She brought up some real things that families experience. I get that her input would have ruined the sibling/twin message of the book, but I would love to hear her voice, her experiences. Maybe she already has written a book- I will look into it. I just get frustrated I think when I get more out of acknowledgements/author's notes in the back of the books, then the books themselves.)

[K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trigger warnings: Autism Speaks, bullying.

2.5 stars.

Oof. This is fiction but barely. Peete has twins - a neurotypical girl and an autistic boy. The protagonists are twins - a neurotypical girl and an autistic boy. Charlie's chapter were interesting but also unsettling?? And I think in a lot of ways his chapters (and the book in general) are indicative of how much society has changed in regards to understanding and acceptance of autism since the book was published.

So Charlie's entire existence seems to be about...how to "normalise" his autism. Don't wear the headphones that make you comfortable. Don't pull your hood up. Don't eat gluten. Don't tell people you're autistic, that turns your whole life into your diagnosis. Tell people you HAVE autism, that means it's just a diagnosis. Follow the rules. Be interested in sport like the other kids. Go on a vacation that will be seriously traumatic for you. Etc.

Callie's entire existence seems to be split between being Charlie's second parent - she's the one to inform his teacher that he's autistic and how to manage him behaviour - and loathing Charlie's existence because it makes her life difficult. Like, I get that they're teenagers, and that teenagers are often horrible people. But given how closely this appears to be based on the Peetes' actual lives, I..........have concerns.

There was, however, a great section in the author's note at the end where Peete discusses her concerns for her autistic son as a Black man who loves wearing hoodies. I just wish that had somehow been woven into the story or that this had been a nonfiction book written by the kids with input from their mother. Instead, I was left with a somewhat icky feeling and I wasn't surprised in the slightest to see Autism Speaks near the top of the list of resources at the end of the book.

[Stephanie Dargusch Borders · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the parent of a five year old daughter diagnosed with ASD, this book really appealed to me. Often we parents grapple with the issue of what the future will look like for our children. That is doubly true for parents of ASD children, so I was eager to read the Peetes' perspective on life as a teenager with ASD.

The book is thinly veiled as fiction, with Peete twins RJ and Ryan adopting the names Charlie and Callie. "Charlie" was diagnosed with autism at age three and has had his family staunchly advocating for him, including the person he's closest to, his twin sister "Callie".

I appreciate that this is their story, I really do. But it left me sad. I absolutely don't believe that everything is sunshine and rainbows. Obviously anyone living with ASD or that has a family member with ASD will struggle, and I want to know the bad along with the good. But it seemed like life with Charlie was all bad. :(

As I closed the book, I wasn't sure how I felt. I wanted to love it, but I thought about my kids as teenagers, as Callie and Charlie, and it scared me. Literally every chapter of the book seemed to be about some way that Charlie has a horrible life, and in every chapter it's Callie being annoyed and repressed by living with an autistic brother. I kept trying to remind myself that they're teenagers, that maybe their viewpoints are clouded by teenage angst. Even the way they depicted their parents made me really sad. And the thing is, I don't know the Peetes (obviously), but it seems pretty obvious just by their public personas and projects that they're a supportive, loving family. Unfortunately that didn't shine through.

I have two copies of this book so originally I had put one aside for when my kids are older. But honestly, I'm not sure I want to encourage them to read it. I have always celebrated the differences in my ASD daughter, and I would hate for her to read a book like this and think she is just an irritant to everyone, that we all hate autism and what it's done to her. Because I feel the opposite of that.

Obviously this is a very personal subject for me, and I can't help having that reflected in my review, but I am very appreciative of the Peete family, and especially RJ and Ryan, for sharing their story.

[Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie and Callie are twins. Charlie has autism. Callie does not. This is their story.

Same but Different is written by Holly Robinson Peete and two of her children, RJ and Ryan Elizabeth Peete. Holly is an actress who has shifted her focus to parenting and nonprofit work and writing. Her kids are twins, and mirror the experiences of Charlie and Callie, the characters in this story. According to the extra matter, Ryan Elizabeth wrote the chapters voiced by Callie, and RJ wrote the chapters voiced by Charlie. So, as I told the middle schoolers I booktalked this to, this book is about as close to nonfiction as you can get, while still shelving it in the fiction section - at least, as far as I can tell.

The plot isn't the emphasis here - I don't remember much about what actually happens in the book. It's all about the characters - these two kids, as they handle high school with autism or with a brother who has autism.

I find the graphic design of the book very interesting. Ryan Elizabeth's chapters are designed with a motif of straight lines. RJ's are introduced with a motif of scribbly lines. Which didn't quite ring true for me. In my head, straight lines connote left-brainyness, and tangled lines connote right-brainyness, and I think of people with autism as particularly left-brainy. So that seems less accurate. To me. Which could be wrong.
I guess if they were stuck with those two images and they paired the straight lines with the person with autism, some might see that as inferring that there is less going on in the brain of that person, which is CERTAINLY not true.
Meh. Imagery is complicated.

I do want to note the intersectionality of this book. In a year where I really wanted to feature marginalized voices, this is an #ownvoices book about both disability and being black. And being a twin, for that matter. When I started reading for this booktalking season, I was especially wanting to feature books that would underline that black lives matter, therefore a solid 4/12 of my booktalk choices are by black authors about black characters (at least two more are about black characters by authors of other skin tones). I was also motivated to pick it up because I expect to refer back to it when my kid (who has autism) hits high school, unless something better comes along. Which, hopefully, it will, since he's got about a decade until then.
We Need Diverse Books!

Extra star or two because of the uniqueness and legitimacy of the story.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the reviews I've seen so far for this book have expressed frustration with the format, but to me it was a strong point of the book. Rather than a novel or fictionalized memoir, the story is told through vignettes that alternate between Callie's voice and Charlie's. I appreciated this format, because ASD and other brain differences don't start and end. They can't be wrapped up neatly in a beginning-middle-end narrative because they just ARE. I think this is a great window into the everyday world of these siblings, and that any traditional narrative structure would have come across as forced or contrived..

As someone who grew up (and continues to be) very close to a sibling with brain differences, this book rang true from both sides. I saw myself in Callie's frustrations and protective feelings for her brother. I also saw similarities between Charlie's frustrations and triumphs and those my brother expressed. Maybe this book only resonated with me because I've had similar experiences, but I would recommend it to any number of kids. I think it would foster understanding and maybe even help someone feel less alone. And that, in the end, is the point.

[Adrian · Rating 1 out of 5]

This whole book is rife with insulting situations designed to paint autistic people as idiotic, selfish, and entitled...and that's one point of view that is nauseatingly inaccurate, and downright harmful. I lost whatever last vestiges of respect I had for "Callie" when she called a video detailing some dance moves "a magic cure for spastic" as though that's not one of the most inappropriate and degrading adjectives to apply to someone on the spectrum.

And they say we autistic people are the ones lacking compassion and empathy?

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 ⭐️

Incredibly open and raw look into twins perspective of autism where one twin has autism and the other does not.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle read for tweens and teens. What would it be like to have a sibling with autism? What would it be like to be a teen with autism? Twins R.J. and Ryan Peete along with their mother tell their story in this alternating voices book for tweens and teens.

[Beth Cato · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this for my son, who is autistic and about to turn 12. I don't think I'll give him to it yet--maybe this Christmas--but I found it to be a very thoughtful, honest book. It's mostly told through the alternating viewpoints of teenage twins Callie and Charlie, the literary counterparts of authors Ryan and RJ. Callie is accustomed to being the guardian of her autistic brother, but after he's kept behind a grade, she tries to step back and let him be his own person... which is hard when she sees him bullied and taken advantage of by so-called friends. Charlie is frustrated by a world that overwhelms him, mourns the loss of his dog, and tries to figure out the social rituals around asking out a girl.

Charlie had several traits in common with my son, and that made the book feel very personal to me right from the start. I really like how their mother helped with the book but also stepped back to let it be told through their voices. One chapter even addressed the semantics of "having autism" and "being autistic," which I thought was very important as a matter of identity. The back of the book included numerous resources for autistic teens and parents.

I highly recommend this for classrooms, school libraries, and families with autistic teens.

[Kim Bahr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye-opening and important in understanding others and what they are going through

[Ernest Solar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same But Different by Holly Robinson Peete and her children is an outstanding look into the life of a teenager with Autism. The book opens with a letter from Holly to her children discussing her fears and hopes for each of her children in regards to living a life with Autism. Her daughter, Callie does not have Autism. But her twin brother, Charlie, does. Both children are effected. The book then is told from the perspective of the twins. I like how they cover important adolescent topics; such as, bullying, puberty, relationships, animals, parental relationships, birthdays, dating, and dancing. Callie talks about her perspective and then Charlie gives his perspective from the point of a view of a child with Autism. Lastly, I love the visual difference of the graphics when each point of view is switched.

As a former special education teacher, I think this book is an excellent resource for teachers and parents. For parents, Same But Different is a positive look into the life of an individual with Autism. The media often focuses only on the negative of Autism, but the book Same But Different is a refreshing point of view that focuses on the positive. For a teacher, Same But Different is a great way to introduce the positive abilities of an individual with Autism to the classroom.

In all honesty, I would recommend this book over The Reason I Jump by N. Higashida because I feel it gives a truer representation of a teenager with Autism.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about the book

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomeness and so so needed. This is really a book for the family (mainly the siblings) of a child with autism. But it's also great for the parents and I think other kids with autism may recognize a bit of themselves in "Charlie." I would like to address some of the criticisms others wrote about the book-as a Mom to a teenage son with autism, I really got this book. The sister Callie does not hate her brother-she has NORMAL feelings for any sibling who has to cope with having someone in their family with special needs. And being close twins, she says she feels his pain as well as his joy. It's a struggle for her-she is a teenage girl trying to find her way and fit in at the same time. Some people wanted Charlie's voice to be stronger. Welcome to autism people. We all wish they would talk and express more. The only time that seems to happen is in a meltdown and that's when you wish they would be quiet. I think he gets the point across that he is okay in his own skin, but can feel awkward and distant from others (can any teen relate to this? I think so). We see more from the others how his life gets manipulated around him to prevent meltdowns and stress. Because that is how it actually is. Some people argued that it should have not been fictionalized. That could go either way. But because I think they were trying to relate to many people, they included compilations (i.e. maybe the special ed teacher incident?) and they were being upfront and honest by saying these aren't our experiences, but others have had them. I'm sure they had plenty of examples from their own lives to draw from-but these are teenagers. Perhaps they would like a little privacy and keep some of their pain to themselves. I think this was a breakthrough book because you hear the point of view of a sibling and also that the child with autism is a teenager. We are so used to reading about young kids-when they are diagnosed,etc. that we forget they grow up. They have normal teenage angst and then autism on top of that. As a parent, I found it incredibly relatable. We have gone through so many similar things, that it was astounding. I walked away after reading this with new perspectives on autism as well as feeling like the teens in the book did. That although everyone has their problems/issues, especially in their teenage years, when you can create a strong family bond and have each others backs, you will get through it all with a smile.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although other reviewers disliked this book's format and the shift back and forth from the point of view of Callie to Charlie, but I disagree. I actually consider that one of the book's strengths. As it stands, the book shows us two different perspectives on various scenes at school, at home, and in other settings in a way that only two teens who have been there can actually provide. As the book opens, Callie is excited about starting tenth grade and being on her own for the very first time. Her independence comes at a price, though, since her twin brother Charlie is repeating ninth grade, and won't have her to intercede for him in classes this year. And so the rest of the year play out with Callie vacillating in the joys of not being responsible for her brother and feeling guilty about her feelings and worried about his inability to detect friends from enemies or to follow social cues. Charlie, on the other hand, is delighted to have made friends so quickly and isn't always able to tell when they are taking advantage of him. As the two siblings and their family ride what they call the Autism Express, complete with its sometimes unpredictable twists, turns, and ups and downs, they provide readers with an honest and often heart-wrenching glimpse into their daily lives. Both teens reflect on the loss of Toby, Charlie's beloved dog, shopping for clothes in the mall, family vacations, possible romance, and food choices, among other matters. As the twins' mother points out, adolescence is challenging enough, much less with the addition of being or living with someone on the autism spectrum. By the time I finished this book--much too quickly as I wish it could have been even longer--I felt as though its contents brought me even closer to what the Peete family's lives are like. The reminder that someone on the autism spectrum often deals with daily life quite differently than many of us is a good one for middle graders, who are the perfect audience for this important book. While it's true that there have been many recent publications on this topic, this book provides up close and personal perspectives not heretofore explored. Neither sibling paints his/her family or him/herself as perfect either, which is refreshing.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be fair, I had really low expectations for this one going into it. I was pleasantly surprised. The idea of an authentic voice talking about life with autism was appealing. The dual narratives of brother and sister were also well done. It was a bit rushed/abrupt and there was no real satisfying conclusion.

Recommend as an additional purchase for large collections and those looking to enhance nonfiction titles.

[Julie (Bookish.Intoxication) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is short but sweet and coming from a person who works with children with ASD regularly, I loved this book.
It is more aimed towards teens 13-16 I'd say but it is refreshing to read something so honest, that doesn't shy away from Autism or cast it in a bad light.

[Laila Tarek · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed. This wasn't educational at all tbh, it's just a couple of mean kids and a bitchy teenager sister.

[S. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Peete and her family have aptly created a story that resonates with any who may have a person with special needs in his or her family. The inexplicable and unpredictable diagnosis of autism affects every person in the family in different ways. The Peetes, with honesty and courage enable the reader to participate in the struggle to express love and protect someone who may not comprehend or respond to their efforts. Holly, her husband Rodney, daughter Ryan, and younger sons, Roman and Robinson, each have a different relationship with RJ who has autism. The beauty of "Same but Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express" is the open-hearted expressions of characters who struggle to balance a natural and understandable desire to protect a most vulnerable person with their desire for him to live a full and joyous life. RJ's life experiences, thoughts and feelings may be hard to grasp for his family, but the Peete's give the reader a gift: insight into RJ's world. This gift will assist students and teachers, as well as other families in the struggle to reach and understand those with autism.
The format for "Same But Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express" lends itself to this insight. The perspectives of the twin teens are told in side by side chapters. Holly's perspective and experiences are open and heartfelt in the forward and afterward; the reader is also privy to her mothering through the voices of RJ and Ryan, the characters, Callie and Charlie. The structure of the book with its alternating chapters shows the same experience twice at times, as in the "pizza lunch" cafeteria story or when Callie runs in a track meet and her family watches. Alternatively, Ryan/Callie describes how her brother, RJ/Charlie has it all: his autism dictating the family's food choices and activities and commandeering her parents' attention. When the reader hears from RJ/Charlie the experiences of lights, sounds, an smells become overwhelming. The connection that he has with the family dog is dear and demonstrates that four-legged friends can understand better that two-legged ones at times.
The reader shares in the family's happiness when RJ/Charlie learns football statistics and in the course of a week RJ/Charlie has them all beat. He is connecting with his father who loves football and his brothers, sister, and mom. No one can stump him and he succeeds in winning the prize of no chores for a week. It is a happy and peaceful moment in the book.
"Same but Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express" is a story of perseverance. Families of children with special needs and those who do not have the same family experience can gain insight and encouragement from the Peete's loving and honest description of the challenges and joys on the "Autism Express". Compassion and vulnerability conquer the reader's heart with hope and new eyes to see those special and unique persons with autism. I would heartily recommend this book to families, teachers, and students.

[Michele Hochstrasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed reading the novel, Same But Different by Holly Robinson Pete. This is not a traditional novel in the sense of having a plot line and rising and falling action. Instead, this novel invites you in for an intimate look at one families day to day life as they ride what the author terms, the “Autism Express”. The novel opens with a strong introduction by the author who clearly expresses her purpose in writing the novel in the fashion that she did. I felt that this honest and straightforward beginning really set the stage for the reading experience that I was in for. Following the introduction, the novel then proceeded to pull back the curtain to reveal a series of vignettes which revolved around a family with a set of teenage twins, one of which is a high school boy with Autism.
As a middle school classroom teacher, I particularly appreciated this novel as it provided a means for the reader to “hear” the voice of Autism. As the story alternates between the twins relating their experiences as they move through high school, it creates numerous learning opportunities for deeper class discussion regarding point of view and comparing the events of a story when viewed by more than one protagonist. I found that the writing was very easy to follow and the overall visual structure of the novel made it interesting.
In skimming some of the other reviews, I did notice that some readers found the format of the novel distracting, and I have to say that I found some irony in seeing that expressed. I feel that Mrs. Peete went out of her way to create that vibe so that the reader could better get a sense of what living with Autism might feel like. Again, this would be a fantastic learning opportunity for students to create a text-to-text or text-to-self connection for students to gain a deeper understanding for what living with Autism might be like for this one family. One other area that was mentioned was the tension between the twins and their roles within the family. Once again, I disagree as I feel that the novel painted a very real picture of life within a family living with Autism.
I highly recommend reading this novel with your class as it sheds a very honest light on families and students who are living with Autism. I feel as though it provides a solid learning experience for students both in literary studies as well as encouraging better understanding of what Autism really looks like.

[Melina Blackwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same but Different by Holly Robinson Peete is written in a narrative style. It is about the author’s children, fraternal teenage twin siblings. The book deals with the challenges associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The opening chapter, written by the author, is a letter to her children. After the introductory letter, the book is told from the viewpoints of Callie and Charlie.

Charlie has Autism and Callie does not. Both siblings are effected. Callie is trying to be a normal teenage girl and is unsure about how to deal with her Autistic brother Charlie. Callie recounts her point of view and Charlie explains his views concerning the everyday struggles as a child who has Autism.

I enjoyed the fact that the book discussed important issues as they relate to adolescents. What I found most important, was the fact that the book dealt with the emotions expressed by both Callie and Charlie. The manner in which the author deals with the death of the family pet is especially touching. In relation to beginning High school one has the stress of puberty, dating, relationships, bullying and trying to establish and maintain true friendships. The book deals with all of these issues. The book gave me a positive outlook on Autism and helpful strategies that I can use in my classroom.

On a personal note as an educator, I see the challenges that students with special needs face every day. I have to admit as an Aunt with a nephew who has Autism, I am particularly interested in the messages in this book.

Overall, I would give this book a four-star rating because it clearly clarifies the struggles associated with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. I think this would be an excellent source of reading and discussion for 8th and 9th grade students. This novel suggests strategies for parents to help their adolescent children learn to accept differences in one another.

[Dbuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoilers
I just finished reading the book “Same But Different” By Holly Robinson Peete, Ryan Elizabeth Peete and RJ Peete. I really enjoyed reading the book. I liked how the authors shared their personal experiences with autism. I was amazed to learn how an individual with autism experiences everyday life. The authors took me on an adventure about the good, the sad, the difficult events that a individual with autism experiences in everyday life. In my personal experiences I have not been around individuals with autism, so I felt this book provides a good foundation of children with autism. I like how the authors used multiple lenses to share their stories.
Throughout the book, the authors switch between Callie and Charlie's point of view. I was able to read, to listen and to feel how Callie and Charlie viewed certain situations. Callie is in the position of being the protective sister and wanting to be a teenage girl. In addition, Charlie is in the position of wanting to do what he wants, and be a teenage boy.
I feel he struggles trying to fit in the outside world. In the book, Callie refers to a system called Charlie time. The family has to adapt and organize their routines to how Charlie interacts and perceives the world. The family allows Charlie to do everything first because he is used to a pattern. In the book, the authors talked about how going to the airport for their vacation was very difficult. The sounds and the waiting in line at airport became hard challenges for Charlie to remain calm.
In conclusion, I like how the authors took me on a journey about their lives with a family member who has autism. I liked learning about the experiences, the tasks and the challenges the family faces everyday. I think this is a good book to read to get an understanding of autism for young adults.

[Mo O'Malley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same But Different by Holly Robinson Peete provides an insightful view about a teenage boy with Autism named Charlie. This novel provides readers with Charlie’s perspective, as well as the perspective of his twin sister, Calli. Through the alternating viewpoints from the twins as well as the letters from the author, readers are able to get a glimpse into how having a child or sibling with Autism affects the entire family unit.

This idea is conveyed in the novel through the beginning letter from Holly Robinson Peete in which she describes the family’s experiences as a ride on the “Autism Express.” This metaphor comparing their experiences to a train ride exemplifies that this is a journey full of challenges and triumphs, as well as the notion that the whole family is on board and in this together. This provides a strong message of unity which exists in this family, and it is clear that no one is alone.

This novel can enhance an adolescent’s literacy capability in school through its relatable story. Readers can see how Charlie struggles with difficulties that many other adolescents face such as forming true friendships, feeling understood by peers, and dating. While this novel provides the unique viewpoint of how one teenager with Autism experiences these events, they are topics that are relevant and important to adolescents everywhere. Another element which is discussed is the uncertainty of what the future holds for Charlie, which is a feeling that many adolescents experience as they transition from childhood to adulthood.

Lastly, while Charlie’s perspective gives us an understanding into how he views the world, readers understand that this is just one story. Holly Robinson Peete encourages readers to remember the important message that everyone is different.

[Amelia Trail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same but Different tells the story of a teenager with autism and his twin sister who is typically achieving. The story is told through the juxtaposition of two sibling’s thoughts. Each chapter alternates point of view. This novel offers insight into the thoughts of two adolescents as they navigate high school. The author does an effective job showing how similar events effect the two siblings differently. At times I found this book to be contrived. The voice of Charlie seems to be unrealistic at times. I had a hard time connecting with the character. I feel that the character of Callie was relatable. Her feelings towards her brother and high school were believable. Although I did have trouble connecting with the character of Charlie, I do still think he was effective is showing the perspective a teenager in high school with autism. I think the author did a great job in showing how autism can affect a student’s experience in high school, especially when she described instances in which Charlie fell victim to bullies and was oblivious to what his peers were doing. It was interesting to see that Callie was more bothered by the bulling than Charlie was. The change of point of view throughout the same event was also dynamic. It allows for the reader to see the thoughts and feelings of Callie directly next to Charlie’s. At times it felt like a call and response was occurring between the shifting points of view. Overall, I enjoyed this book. This novel leaves the reader contemplating the effect autism has on teenagers whether they are on the spectrum, a classmate to a student with autism, a parent of a child with ASD, or a sibling.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, I'm going to keep in mind that children wrote this book while I write this review. First, I gave it 4 stars because there are not a lot of books written from a true perspective of a teen with autism and there is a huge need for it. Charlie's perspective of his life with autism is great. It's honest, endearing, and is helpful for a reader to understand what it's like for him. However, I would caution any parent to read this before you give it to a child with autism to read. His sister's perspective may be honest, but is certainly not helpful in any way. There is a theme of "something is wrong with you" and that Charlie is a constant burden running through it, which pissed me off. That is not the message that should be sent. Understanding, compassion and teaching empowerment is the message that should be sent. Her perspective adds no value to this book for me, it only highlights the opinions of a selfish teenager.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written for a Young Adult audience. Holly Robinson Peete (an American actress) wrote this book with her teenage twins RJ and Ryan Elizabeth. RJ is a boy with autism, while Ryan is a neuro-typical teenage girl. In the book, their characters are named Callie and Charlie.

There is not a lot written about autism and the teenage years. This story gives you a feeling for what it's like to manage increasingly complex social situations as a teenage autistic person; and it also gives you a feeling for what it's like to be the sibling of an autistic person. Actually, not just a sibling, but a twin sibling - which comes with its own unique issues.

This book was easy to read, well written and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants a glimpse into the world of families that manage autism.

[Pretty Little Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

the feelings portrayed just got to me. The teenage frustration and angst have been portrayed so well.
What I understand is this: if you have a family member who is autistic, he is still your family member. It is perhaps normal and comparatively easy to write about how much you love them.
But opening up about the bad days, the days when you are angry at yourself and at each other - that is something that not everybody can do. Undoubtedly it puts you in a very vulnerable position and not everyone is ready to do that.
But I appreciate the honesty that laced these fictional albeit inspired by real people. I rated it 3.75 stars.

[H. Lia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an easy read and I finished the book in just a couple of nights. I liked the different perspectives the authors gave between a teenager with autism, Charlie, and his sister, Callie, who does not have autism. The book is fictional yet heavily influenced by the author’s real life experience having twin children, one of whom is diagnosed with autism. The author’s twins also provided input and co-authored the book. The book alters between Charlie and Callie’s point of view and focuses on their family and school social experiences.
I really appreciated the idea of the book, where the reader is entering the mind of a teenager with autism and getting to see how he views the world, the internal conversations he has, and his interpretations of typical high school scenarios. We also get to see how a very close family member, his sister, deals with having a brother with a disability who is of the same age and at the same school.
I think that the intended audience for this book is geared towards individuals who have a family member with a disability. My assumption is that the intended audience would find the content and storyline very relatable and comforting. I imagine such individuals reading this book would have their own personal experiences in mind while reading. Although I work with individuals with disabilities, I do not have a close family member with a disability, therefore I do not think I am the intended reader. I gave this book 3 stars because I didn’t feel there was enough character development which made it hard for me to build a connection to and strong feelings for the characters.

[John Bullock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same But Different puts the reader into the shoes of Charlie a boy with autism who has to repeat the ninth grade and his sister Callie who worries that without her Charlie won’t be able to get by in school. Students when reading this more than likely can’t relate to having a sibling with autism or having autism but they can relate to the family ties that are shown throughout the book. Experiencing puberty, having to schedule when the dog goes out, going snorkeling with the family are all things that allow the characters and their situations be relatable because it sounds like anything that any other family would do. However, the steps to get to these events is where the meat of this book lies. Charlie is just confused on why everyone treats him like he’s dumb and wants to make friends. Charlie has to deal with everyone doing their best to help him when really he just wants to be left alone. That’s why Charlie and Callie have such a close relationship, Callie realizes Charlie wants a normal life as much as she does. Callie feels that her life has been altered heavily by Charlie having autism and feels the most free when doing things like running track. The writing allows the characters to be fleshed out thanks to the alternating perspectives but also the fact that the Peete family poured much of their experiences into this book. This family theme is felt throughout the book with the mother desperately trying to help and the dad doing his best but at the end of his rope. I wish the dad’s ideas could have been delved into more but that was probably reserved for his own book. This book uses family to show the highs and lows these children go through and how through it all they still have each other and their family.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy, quick read. Suitable for tweens and up who have a sibling on the Autism Spectrum. I don't think I'd share it with the child on the spectrum as there's one chapter where feelings about how hard it is to have a sibling on the spectrum.
May be good for a youth book club.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for the HPL Dewey Decimal book club.