Slug Days

Slug Days #1

by Sara Leach

On slug days Lauren feels slow and slimy. She feels like everyone yells at her, and that she has no friends. Today there is a different bus driver; Dan and Sachi are sitting in Lauren's seat on the bus; and Lauren's teacher interrupts her reading time. It is definitely a slug day. But not every day is like this. On butterfly days Lauren makes her classmates laugh, or goes to get ice cream, or works on a special project with Mom.

Lauren has Autism Spectrum Disorder (an umbrella term that has included Asperger Syndrome since 2013), and she sees the world differently from many people. Sometimes this can be frustrating and makes Lauren want to flip her lid, especially at school where she learns differently from her classmates. But with support and stubbornness and a flair that's all her own, Lauren masters tricks to stay calm, to understand others' feelings, and to let her personality shine. She even manages to find common ground with her sticky, slobbery baby sister. Best of all, it is being different that gives Lauren insight into the insecurities of the new student, Irma.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Juvenile, Disability

120 pages, Hardcover

First published October 27, 2017

Reviews

[Katy O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the Kid Lit Exchange network for the review copy of this title ~ all opinions are my own.

SLUG DAYS is a must-purchase short early illustrated chapter book (1st or 2nd grade) perfect for fans of Junie B. Jones, Ivy and Bean and Jasmine Toguchi. The depiction of ASD is absolutely stellar and makes this a must-read for all teachers as well as kids. The illustrations are sweet and are perfectly inserted into the story. I plan to buy this for my library and book talk it to 2nd grade classes, and then shout about it from the rooftops to all of my staff. Loved it, and hope it is the first in a series about Lauren!

[Kate Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to start off by admiring the cover art--front and back. It is seriously cute and portrayed the whole story perfectly. <3

I picked this book up because it deals with a topic I know very little about (and the cover art was cute). It did a good job explaining Autism Spectrum Disorder without focusing on the disorder itself but instead telling an entertaining, meaningful story from the perspective of a little girl. It was eye-opening to see Lauren’s day to day life--all the things she struggled with and all the things she loved. Her family was sweet, and it blessed me to see her parents and teachers gently help her learn to understand what other people were thinking/feeling. “Insectville” was very cute (I want to make a diorama too now), especially with the adorable illustration style. I couldn’t help but smile when Lauren read aloud to the baby. ;) And I couldn’t be happier with the ending. <3

Just a note, parental guidance is suggested to help young readers understand the main character’s tendency toward outbursts of anger.

Altogether, I’m glad to have discovered this book. ;)

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic way to share an ASD story that’s both accessible to young readers and adults alike. Well written and easy to connect to, an awesome 15-20mins read that offers a new perspective on what can seem to be challenging behaviors.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book gave me slug slime-y feelings. Its a good book to introduce kids to the idea of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Lauren is a lovable character (the one with ASD). It's interesting to see the world through her eyes.

My main complaint with this book is that Ms. Patel, Lauren's, teacher seemed . . . really disinterested in Lauren's issues. Or, I guess a better way to say it is that she was like a lot of adults who don't have the time to deal with people who are acting "eccentric," and just wanted Lauren to not . . . be who she was.

I can see that Lauren had a temper that could cause issues and that a firm tone of voice and action plan are needed, but ... I finished this book really disliking this teacher and hoping that any kids that do read this do not realize how horrible she is. And what baffles me more is that it's written by a teacher! SMH.

[Kate♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5stars

*I'm a fourth and fifth grade special education teacher

My fourth graders LOVED this. When it finished they asked if there was a sequel we could read.

I thought it was a great book to open up the year with as it was quick and easy and got a lot of SEL conversations started. I felt it could have been a little more fleshed out/longer, but other than that it was very good!

[The Dusty Jacket · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren has two kinds of days: slug days and butterfly days. Slug days are the worst and spent trying not to flip out, figuring out how other people are feeling, and so many other things that make Lauren feel slow and slimy. But butterfly days are the best! The days that she’s able to control her temper, friends want to play with her, and she gets ice cream with her mom. It’s not easy having Autism Spectrum Disorder. With so many rules, surprises, and changes, a butterfly day can quickly turn into a slug day with just a shove or a snicker. BUT a slug day can also turn into a butterfly day if you make your baby sister laugh or happen to meet the perfect friend.

Leach has over twenty years’ experience in education and has taught and worked closely with ASD students. Her knowledge of coping mechanisms and behavioral characteristics is evident in this thoughtful and touching story about a girl struggling to fit in and be understood. It’s a quick read filled with beautiful illustrations by Rebecca Bender that give life to Lauren and her world filled with uncertainty and unpredictability. Leach’s story also demonstrates the importance of a strong support system—one that ensures Lauren has the resources she needs at school and home to thrive. From calming erasers and rubber balls to a home safety plan, Slug Days shows us that it truly does take a village to ensure that these wonderfully unique individuals are included and succeed.

This book is targeted for readers ages 7 to 9, but slightly younger readers can also enjoy and benefit from this story. Slug Days is told from Lauren’s point of view and gives readers a peek into one of her weeks at home and school. This is not a how-to kind of book, but more of a hey-I-can-see-me-through-her story that allows neurodiverse individuals to connect with Lauren and relate to her everyday obstacles and triumphs. The book is also a great tool for introducing some important discussion points about how certain behaviors can be misinterpreted and what can be done differently. For example, Leach has Lauren engaging in a few instances of inappropriate physical contact such as touching, kissing, hugging, and playing with a classmate’s hair. These instances are innocent but are important to identify and remedy, especially in today’s social climate.

Author Drishti Bablani wrote, “There is a beauty in difference that only understanding reveals.” Recent CDC reports show that around 1 in 36 children in the U.S. has been identified with autism so books like Slug Days will continue to play an important part in increasing awareness and promoting understanding and inclusion. Now wouldn’t THAT be beautiful.

We’re now posting videos of some of our book reviews! Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thedustyjacket or on Instagram @tdjreviews and join in on the fun!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren has ASD, which means that she has trouble with social clues, understanding what people's facial expressions mean, and understanding jokes. The story is told from her point of view. The author is a teacher that has taught many children with ASD, and knows a lot of the way they think.

Reading this chapter book brings to mind just how hard it is to figure out people in general. Social clues are hard to pick up on, and it can get annoying get, and that is why Lauren has Slug Days, when things go wrong, and butterfly days whe things go well.

It is a cute story, and lets you see how it from Lauren's view, and why she has so much trouble with her class mates. It also sounds so normal.

Great, easy to read book, to see Autism from the child's point of view.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slug Days by Sara Leach is a wonderful book featuring a protagonist with ASD. I like that this book features a female main character as ASD is more prevalent among boys and the few characters we do see with it are often boys. This book will let children like Lauren read about someone like them but it will also give children without ASD a peek into the life of someone different and may help foster sensitivity and understanding. I really like the title and the concept of "slug days" and "butterfly days", what a great way to articulate those feelings. I love all the ways she describes her feelings throughout the book, there are some good tools and vocabulary here for parents and teachers with special needs children. This a great read for elementary schoolers.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sheri Radford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, lovely, believable story about a girl with autism who struggles both at home and at school. Kids will relate to Lauren’s struggles while learning about autism. The fantastic illustrations add depth to the tale.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story that can be read by anyone of any age. Lauren is a young girl who has Asperger's syndrome. She does not see things the same way as everyone else. She has problem with social cues, change, and takes things literally. She wants to be liked and this is where she has the most problems. She has techniques to use when she gets upset or if she feels like she is going to blow like a volcano. Her teacher is usually supportive but I think she still has a way to go. The illustrations are well done and clearly show the emotions of all the characters in the story.

This book should be read to students so they can understand that everyone is different, some people have difficulties and what is fair for one is not necessarily fair for all. The children in this book do not accept Lauren and are not very understanding. If they had read this book and put themselves in her shoes things might have been different. You may not know anyone with Asperger's yet, but someday you probably will and if you have read this book, it will help you to understand and accept. A must for every school and professional library. Every teacher needs to read this as well. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via netgalley.

[Janie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slug Days is a valuable book that can help readers to empathize with ASD children. This book does an amazing job capturing Lauren's days and how she processes the world differently, and it all makes perfect sense to her even if no one else follows her thought patterns. As a parent and educator-in-training this book serves as a reminder that kids experience the world differently, add ASD and those experiences can be very hard on the child when they aren't met with consistent patience. It is important that adults and students understand the ASD experience and Slug Days can be a helpful tool for young readers to begin fostering empathy for their ASD classmates. Slug Days would be best read with an adult because it provides many opportunities for discussion which can help children to better understand the sometimes sad and frustrating subject matter.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This chapter book is wonderful because it explains behaviors of children on the spectrum in ways that are easy to understand. If you have a child on the spectrum, this book will help make them more comfortable and accepting of themselves. For children that are not on the spectrum, this book will help them understand and more sensitive to children who are. This book is perfect for ages as young as 4. The use of 'slug days', and 'butterfly days' are wonderful metaphors when you can't quite describe your feelings.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good and insightful book for girls with ASD. Hopefully, they will be able to relate to some of the behaviours and can see that it is perfectly okay to be this way and to feel the way you do.

[Evann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book club book #2 for the 9-year-olds

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.

Reading Level: K-3; Interest Level: 2.3

5 out of 5 stars!!!

Have you ever had those "slug days" when things just seem to never go your way? What about "butterfly days" when all is great? Everyone has these days, but when you have ASD, or Autism Spectrum Disorder, these days are harder to handle. For Lauren, because of her disorder she seems to have more slug days than butterfly days. Things that may not be a big deal to some kids are a huge deal to Lauren, and she doesn't always know how to handle it correctly. What happens when a new girl moves to Lauren's school? Will Lauren be able to handle this new change? Will she happen to have an extra-special butterfly day and actually get the thing she wants most in this world?

Sara Leach does a fantastic job of letting us into the mind of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is a must read for anyone that works in a school system. This books should teach us patience and understanding. The illustrations are incredible also. They really depict the emotions that Lauren go through throughout her day. Thanks to Sara Leach for writing this amazing book and thanks to Rebecca Bender for the illustrations.

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[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

On days that seem to go terribly wrong, Lauren terms those periods "slug days" because she feels as though everything is yucky and slimy, just like a slug. But not every day is like that for her. Lauren has Autism Spectrum Disorder, and she has a supportive family and a school that is using strategies to help her stay on an even keel. These don't work all the time, but she has more good days than bad ones. Young readers will enjoy her heartfelt struggles and her battles with an annoying classmate as well as her baby sister, her teacher Mrs. Patel, and her mother, whose patience is often strained when dealing with her daughter. Her father seems better equipped to do so, and even while some classmates might find Lauren a pain in the neck, her compassionate act in befriending a new classmate who is worried about having no one with whom to sit on the bus shows that she is capable of empathy. Maybe she can put behind her all of those slug days. Because this book is intended for readers in the third or fourth grade, it is told in simple but relatable fashion. It's the little things that are noticeable too, things like her mother's breathing and her teacher's awareness of just how far to let Lauren push her. I smiled at how everyone seems to think she's motivated to behave well in order to earn stickers to get an ice cream treat when really, there is something else that interests her about the ice cream shop.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren has autism spectrum disorder which makes life difficult and confusing for her. She has good days and bad days. She calls her bad days slug days because she feels no one understands or care about her. She is into routines that don't change. when they get changed, she gets very angry. She has to have everything she does perfect such as shoelaces tied with perfect bows. If her shoelaces end in her tying imperfect bows, Lauren must start over until she gets it right. Friendship seems to beyond her ability as she tends to go overboard until the friend can't stand her anymore.

In this story, the author has written a book that shows how difficult it is to live with autism spectrum disorder. She does this with straightforward words. The illustrator does an excellent job making the experience of reading this book easy. I know I learned a lot. Even though this book is written for children, I think it would be beneficial for adults to read it. It's excellent!

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book free from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I was not obliged to write a favorable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, here’s my likely very unpopular opinion. (Spoiler-ish.)

The grievance I have with this book, and with how so many tend to approach those with (specifically high-functioning) autism in general, is there being so many touted examples of scenarios and consequent feelings that just aren’t unique to those with autism.

Even just in the first chapter, the first situation that arises wouldn’t necessarily be unique to a child with autism. A child without autism could also be uneasy and upset that details in their day weren’t as they normally were. Could try to push for their usual seat that a substitute driver didn’t know was. Could then give up when reprimanded for “causing trouble” and go sit elsewhere, ignoring everyone and staying to themselves. Such a scenario being difficult to emotionally deal with is not unique to those with autism. There are plenty of other examples in the book too, where having one’s feelings hurt, or trying to escape and hide, that stuff’s just not unique to autism. It’s not only a common kid response in general, sometimes it’s an average adult response!

It’s also not unique to kids with autism when one tries to keep thoughts in their mind right before needing them and then forgetting them. I’m an adult without autism and I do this regularly. I’m certain a lot of us do.

In response to Lauren wanting to crush her crackers into dust and then eat them; no, it’s not unusual for an autistic child to prefer eating their food a certain way (more like will only eat their food a certain way,) but it’s also not uncommon for kids to eat in strange and silly ways in general, and for those supervising to ask them to cut it out sometimes. My own kid gets really weird and creative about it.

An example I did feel was good about how an autistic kid might think differently from most: When Lauren’s line of thinking is described while being taught an appropriate distance to stand from someone when talking to them. Yes, non-autistic kids often need to be taught about personal space too, but the difference here is Lauren’s own logic and reasoning being given along the way, and it shows up again later when she tries to put what she was taught into practice.

Another decent example was how up close and personal Lauren wanted to be, especially with those she liked and wanted to like her back. But at the same time, some kids are just really affectionate, and all of them need to be taught to respect other’s boundaries, and if they can’t read social cues, as autistic people often can’t, then they need to learn how to outright ask permission first if they’re not certain what they are doing is appropriate or welcome.

All kids need to learn to appropriately navigate situations as they come, and also properly regulate their emotions. I’m not saying kids with autism never have a harder time of it, but that notion isn’t what is coming across from every one of these instances. I mostly read along thinking, “Yeah, well that’d suck for any kid.” I expected the problems presented here to be notably different in some way than just how they’d be for anyone else too. But instead I feel like with very little tweaking, the part about the ASD diagnosis could be taken out, and we just have “any kid ever” expressing their own personal perspective about what went wrong and what went right in a day, according to them in their own personal bubble.

The book art and title caught my eye and after giving it a quick subject scan, I thought it might help my own daughter understand autism better. (She does interact regularly with at least 2 different autistic children.) While she said she liked it, I don’t think it was much more to her than what I just expressed. Any kid ever talking about their days! But heck, maybe that was part of the point, to show how autistic kids are just kids too, with a few different struggles than most, and a slightly different world viewpoint at times. Yet, the inside cover and the author’s note in the back make it seem like otherwise should have been expected. I was expecting to hear how different an autistic kid’s life could be, not how practically the same as anyone else.

When Lauren is about to snatch her eraser back from the new kid, Irma, she only stops herself because she gets smiled at, which is a positive for her. It may not be the best ever example to use, but honestly, kids need to be taught that not everything is about them and how to handle situations without “flipping their lid,” which is oftentimes just through proper communication. Simply asking for that eraser back again right away and explaining that it’s a special eraser not meant for actual erasing would have sufficed over snatching in that scenario. I’ve seen too many kids allowed to just “flip their lids” without consequences, and autistic or not, it’s not okay, nor should it be acceptable. Showing negative emotion is one thing, mistreating those around you is another. An autism diagnosis should not be paraded around as an excuse for bad behavior, which I’ve seen too much of, in both children and adults. Their feelings and comfort are not higher priority than everyone else’s. (I do have to say that the parents of Lauren must have been doing a good job with her because every time I thought for sure she was about to “flip her lid,” she didn’t. I thought there’d be at least one meltdown from Lauren’s perspective.)

I’m not picking on those with autism and I’m not saying that they don’t actually need assistance or for others to better understand them and not so harshly misjudge them for their mistakes. Keep in mind that I have a kid a lot like Lauren’s character in my own life, and my long-term boyfriend is also autistic, so I’m not just completely clueless as to how it can actually be and talking out of my butt. Lauren and her, are just kids in my eyes. “Normal” kids who do need some assistance in some areas, but that’s just it, any kid can have a need like that, with or without a disorder or syndrome diagnosis such as autism or ADHD or any number of other ones. I do tire of so many issues constantly being brought up alongside the word, autism, that are just normal, everyday, everyone issues. It’s like, "Welcome to the club, it’s called life! You may have to figure it out differently, but we all have to figure it out."

I also don’t like this concept that seems to be common out there, of telling a kid that they’re “special” based on something like autism, because it can both imply a kid without autism or a similar diagnosis isn’t, and because it sounds like a cause for celebration for something that no one chose or earned for themselves, like skin or eye color, or dyslexia or schizophrenia. It’s also a diagnosis that requires special attention, often in the form of hard work, not just flat out acceptance. Yes, I am aware that there is a wild variation in what being autistic can mean. I’m currently speaking on those who are high-functioning and pass as “normal” everyday kids without autism most of the time. Which is because they essentially are. They are just kids. We all have our differences and our struggles.

If we push them to believe they’re simply special and to be celebrated for it, and forgiven at every turn, they’re not going to bother to learn, and to be able to not only survive but thrive out there, in “the real world.” Treating them so differently in this way is not benefiting them. Being autistic (again, as I said I’m referring to, and as is presented in this book) isn’t some precious gift that sets them apart in a special and beautiful way from everyone else. It’s just one of the many differences between them and other people.

I think that one autistic child I have in my life has had her diagnoses talked about and magnified so much that she barely stops thinking about which one has her behaving or feeling a certain way at any given time. It’s a part of her, yes, but it shouldn’t be consuming her. Plus, she feels too “otherly” based on it, which isn’t helpful in social situations and trying to fit in. Everyone being different and needing help with things in different ways should have been emphasized, not that she herself was so different. She needs to be taught and given the tools to do well in this life, not given endless excuses and free passes at every turn, leaving her feeling justified in her less than ideal actions, even when she’s hurt someone else.

“But I’m different and I can’t help it,” isn’t going to fly in the future when friends get sick of the selfishness or a boss is fed up with time blindness. She has to learn how to help some aspects of her diagnoses or she will be very unhappy later in life when no one will continue to coddle her. Being overly understanding all the time now doesn’t help in the long run. Treating her as if she isn’t capable of doing more and being better when she definitely is is only going to fail her one day. She is proud of her flaws. She literally says she is proud of her laziness/messiness and that she can get whatever she wants. Seemingly true on the other end of the parenting. She is being done a disservice.

I’m about to step off my soap box, but there’s one more nitpick I am going to mention. In the description of the book, it says, “Lauren’s teacher interrupts her reading time.” Yeah, no. That is not what happens. It should read, “Lauren misses her reading time.” The teacher, Mrs. Patel, seems to be getting shit on in other reviews, but I don’t recall her doing anything especially negative, outside visibly and vocally showing that she was stressed by having extra to deal with. That does not make her a villain. She could have handled some situations slightly better, yes, but we don’t know how often she’s already had to handle them, and sometimes enough is enough, and we can only take so much before we start to crumble, and therefore, be less perfect in our roles. Also, Lauren’s own mother kept huffing and puffing with impatience constantly. No one said anything about that, that I saw.

Teachers have more than just one single student to look after and to teach, and disruptions are disruptions, regardless of any diagnosis. Lauren didn’t get to read that day because she chose to ignore the school bell and because she chose to take the time to perfectly tie her shoes while she was actively being reminded that she was already late. Your choices have consequences, whether good or bad. The consequence here was that by the time Lauren got her book out to read, reading time was over. The teacher didn’t take anything away from her, she took it away from herself. The teacher can’t change the schedule and the rules for a student every time they’re having a bad day, or nothing would ever get accomplished.

P.S. (Not a nitpick, but a compliment.) It was creative how the writer had Lauren only thinking of her little sister as “the baby,” when spending time with her initially felt like a chore, and gradually her mindset morphed into “my baby,” up until the point that her sister suddenly had a name, when Lauren had stopped desiring to rush through and get that time over with because she began to have fun.

[CharityJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short, early chapter book read about a girl with autism. On reading the first page I thought it would be funnier than it turned out to be. Sort of reminds me of Jack Gantos' 'Joey Pigza' books but without the humor which helps flesh out and connect the reader to the character. Without that humor there's an air of sadness to a book that becomes solely about one little girl's struggle with her disorder.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute chapter book that was also a little bit sad. The adults in Lauren's life didn't seem to really understand her ASD and her "safety plan" but... I suppose that's true in real life for children with ASD

The illustrations were really cute and made the story come to life beautifully. This was a good author/illustrator pairing

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it for an Intermediate School book recommendation. I thought it was an interesting way of expressing what the internal thoughts of someone with ASD might be like for someone who is a friend or ally. I especially appreciated the sticky ice cream scene. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series to recommend to our library patrons.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dan is a bully. Mrs. Patel needs to stop giving him preferential treatment. The book lacks narrative flow and just stops. Why doesn't Lauren's sister have a name?

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2018/comm...

[Mol B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone wants to think that their way is the correct way. But most times we never try to see it from the other side. Slug days shows life through the eyes of a young girl named Lauren who has autism spectrum disorder. Throughout the book Lauren struggles at school trying to follow the rules and interact with peers, and internally struggles to understand why the adults in her life don’t see things how she sees everything. With that, one theme of this book is feeling different. Throughout the book, readers get a firsthand experience and feelings of Lauren noticing the differences between herself, her peers, and the adults in her life. Another theme of this book is friendship and kindness. Lauren struggles to get along with her peers as she had her own way doing daily routines that were different to her peers. While this book is not a specific individual’s actual experience, it could be a real experience putting it in the contemporary realistic fiction genre. Having a realistic aspect to the book provides readers with multiple learning moments. The biggest, and consistent throughout the book is that kindness is important, and there is no reason to make fun of other people. Parents and other adults can also learn from this book as it provides a different perspective to Lauren’s actions, and her reasoning behind them. There are times in the story where Lauren even compares what her idea of right is to what she is told is being right by the adults in her life. This is part of what made this a WOW book for me. I think it is important to show how neurodiverse children are struggling in a school system that is not usually built to accommodate for these differences. I also enjoyed that it was from the child’s perspective instead of an adults perspective and thoughts.
Throughout the book the author uses a lot of repetition. Starting with the title, slugs are often referenced when Lauren is having a not-so-great day. Butterflies are also mentioned a lot as Lauren most easily describes her day as a slug day or butterfly day. Slugs are slow, and often not seen as a pretty animal, while butterflies are seen as pretty insects that people will sometimes run after to see, similar to Lauren trying for butterfly days where she gets rewarded at school and those rewards add up to a reward at home. Continuous references to slugs and butterflies are part of a larger connection to nature that Lauren has. The book is written in language that is easy for a younger reader to understand. The main character being an elementary school aged child also allows for the larger concepts and ideas to be broken down and shared for that age level. I would consider this book to be anti-bias because readers gain a new perspective from the mind of a child with autism spectrum disorder that many people don’t have a way to gain that understanding.

[booksonthefloor · Rating 1 out of 5]

2.5 stars, but I round up.

I have requested the other 2 books in the series to see if there is improvement in them as the story continues.

Midway through reading this book, I thought to myself, "I bet this was written by a teacher." And sure enough, it was.

Now I LOVE teachers. I am from a family full of them and I am looking to work in a school.

But this book reads like an allistic person who feels they understand an autistic person and therapy for autistic people. Lauren's behaviors are definitely internally driven, but more of an emphasis is put on changing her behavior by her teachers and parents (including a cringy scene in which her father asks her to look at him), rather than understanding her. In that sense, it reads very ABA-based to me.

Also, Lauren's teacher is a jerk and even Lauren doesn't seem to understand that. Because this is an early reader, the language and storyline are simple, but I would expect SOMEONE in Lauren's life to say, "Yeah, you are right; your teacher doesn't seem to have much patience for you."

There is a very sweet scene of Lauren and her mother constructing an insect-land together. But it is kinda ruined by her parents constantly interrupting to let her know how much time is left in the activity. And when the activity is over, Lauren still expresses frustration and her parents clearly brace themselves for a "tantrum" (autistic meltdown), visibly relieved when she calms down (again, all this can be included, but not a single mention of how nasty her teacher is to her). Even tho the scene is technically told from "Lauren's perspective," the emphasis on the adult's emotions due to Lauren's behavior (rather than the focus being on how big Lauren's emotions are and how THAT feels in her body) is icky. And once you notice this happen once, you notice it happening again and again.

Also, the author has a note at the end that states "These differences [in autistic people's experiences in the world] can make life challenging for people living with ASD and for the people around them." And I'm sorry, but WHAT?! All I could think is what it would be like for an autistic child to read that. That really grossed me out. I would never want my daughter (who is AuDHD) to ever think that she is anything but the coolest kid I have ever had the pleasure to know. The things she struggles with are NOT things that make my life hard, just like the things neurotypical children struggle with do not make THEIR parent's life hard.

[Cindi]

Slug Days is told from the perspective of Lauren, a young girl (elementary age) with Autism. I liked how it let you into her thoughts, feelings, and reasoning process as her days progressed. I saw a lot of my oldest in her way of thinking and her behavior. I also saw a bit of my youngest and was able to look at common struggles in a new way which led to us talking it out and coming up with new game plans. That was pretty helpful. :)

That being said though, I am not one known for bucking the system for nothing. The adults in the book clearly were trying to help, but in ways that looked and felt more like "be more normal" vs truly helping her regulate and understand more. That always bristles me up to be honest. An example of this was when she was using her squishy ball to calm down so she wouldn't rip up her paper and started tossing it instead because it felt better. The teacher took her ball and got after her and told her to make better choices. She didn't even take a second to think about how Lauren was trying to make better choices (tossing a ball is better than ripping up her homework in anger after all). Just got after her for not making choices the teacher liked.

Not all the adults were like that though. I particularly liked how her dad helped settle her down after a painting mistake on her insect town project. <3

All in all, it is a good story and it helped open up some good discussions with my youngest. It also gave a good window into how some kids with Autism think (not all with Autism think, feel, or behave the same way so please don't use this book as a general guide). I am not a fan of some of the ways the adults decided to address the various struggles, but I do love how the author clearly tried to highlight that the Autism made Lauren special and unique vs broken (even though some of the adults needed to hear it a bit more ;) ).

[OpenedBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Leach’s chapter book series—Slug Days, Penguin Days, and Duck Days—offers a heartfelt and authentic portrayal of Lauren, a third grader on the autism spectrum. Each book serves as a standalone story, but together they build a nuanced picture of Lauren’s world, giving readers insight into her strengths, struggles, and triumphs.

Through Lauren’s perspective, readers are invited to experience the challenges of navigating social interactions, unexpected changes, and sensory overload. These themes are handled with care and honesty, illustrating the way seemingly everyday situations can feel overwhelming to someone on the spectrum. Lauren’s voice is genuine and relatable, making her journey accessible for young readers who may share her experiences or want to understand them better.

What stands out about this series is the balance between portraying Lauren’s difficulties and celebrating her strengths. The books gently show how Lauren’s supportive network—family, teachers, and friends—helps her navigate her world and find ways to thrive. This sense of encouragement and empowerment is central to the series' appeal.

These stories are perfect for children in grades 2-5. They offer representation for kids on the spectrum and encourage empathy and kindness in all readers. Understanding is the foundation for inclusivity, and Sara Leach’s series provides an engaging and effective way to build that understanding. Highly recommended for school libraries, classrooms, and home collections.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is an important book, as it tackles the subject of Autism Spectrum Disorder with empathy and understanding, using the beautiful analogy of "slug days" and "butterfly days" to describe the ups and downs that come with being a child on the spectrum in an integrated classroom.

A teacher who read this to her grade 1/2 class told me that, in her experience, the characters in Slug Days are very well represented: from the child herself, to her parents, to her teacher. I would agree these roles are fairly, accurately, and sympathetically portrayed.

My only criticism (and it's a slight one at that) is that the book seemed to end very abruptly. It is however, an appropriate length for it's intended audience.

I'm generally not a half-star ratings person, but I give it a 4.5.

[Oak Lawn Public Library - Youth Services · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Slug Days
Author: Sara Leach
Pages: 117
Lexile level: 650
4 out of 5 stars

Recommendations & Comments:
This is a great read for children who want to understand what autism is like. Lauren, a grade-schooler with autism, sees the world differently from her classmates, teachers and parents. She is easily upset by breaks in her routine and has trouble interpreting social cues, often resulting in anger and anxiety. She calls these bad days “slug days.” Sometimes she has good days she calls “butterfly days.” But when it’s a “slug day,” Lauren depends on her routines, squishy ball, and strawberry eraser to help stay calm and manage her emotions. Author Sara Leach gives readers a clear, relatable glimpse into the mind of a child coping with autism. Rebecca Bender’s illustrations are a clever supplement.

Reviewed by Mr. Roger

[Ellee Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copyright date: 2017
Star rating: 4
Award: USSBY outstanding international book
Genre: fiction
Summary w/ themes: This book is about a girl who has autism and has days that aren't great, which she calls slug days. As the week progresses we get to hear about the tactics that she uses to help calm herself as well as how she makes a new friend. This book has themes of autism, family, friends, and being at school.
Use for future classroom: This could be a good book to read aloud to help students learn about autism.
Thoughts of book: I thought this was a fun book, and I enjoyed that the book had illustrations. I also liked the storyline because it does well at explaining different aspects of autism.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren is learning how to cope with others at home and at school, since she has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). When she tries to use the coping measures suggested, they often are mis-employed or backfire on her in this beginning chapter book.

A teacher-librarian, Leach's experience with some students helped inform her novel. Lauren is a very likeable girl who is really just misunderstood; her intentions are good, her condition often muddles her actions. This would be a great book to read aloud to a class to help develop understanding for a classmate with ASD or to suggest for students to see themselves.

Recommended for grades 2-4.