Who Is Temple Grandin?

Who Was . . . ? Series

by Patricia Brennan Demuth, Robert Squier (Illustrator)

Autism did not stop her--in fact, it helped Temple Grandin become a brilliant scientist and inventor.

Temple Grandin wasn't officially diagnosed with autism until she was in her 40s, but she knew at an early age that she was different from her family and classmates. She couldn't show affection, she acted out when noises or other stimuli overwhelmed her, and she only felt comfortable when spending time with the animals on her aunt's ranch. But instead of seeing her differences as limitations, Temple used them to guide her education and career in animal science. She has become a leading advocate for the autistic as well as for the humane treatment of animals at meat packing companies. This inspiring biography by Patricia Brennan Demuth shines a light on Temple Grandin's intellect, creativity, and unique spirit.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Science, Kids, Biography Memoir

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2020

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Is...? (Who Was?) biography series for middle grade fascinates with the story of Temple Grandin – a scientist who has changed America’s livestock industry.

Mary Temple Grandin was born in 1947 in Boston. She was autistic and her behavior wasn’t understood in 1940s. But her mother couldn’t imagine putting her in an institution, instead Temple was given speech therapy and it helped her thrive. However, the school didn’t interest her the way the horses did. She became a great rider.

While spending her summer vacation in Arizona at her aunt’s ranch, she grew fond of cattle and became fascinated by wooden chute used to calm down the cows. Temple tried it herself and realized that it had a calming effect on her and helped her with her outbursts.

Back at school’s dorm, she built a Squeeze Machine. A science teacher encouraged her to use science to test her machine. She developed passion for science and did very well in college. Her interest was animal science which further led her to a field surrounded by men. But she gained their respect when they saw how she handles and understands cattle.

Her study became the basis of a new animal welfare standard for the industry. She drew up guide rules and trained inspectors on what problems to look for.

This biography exemplifies a person who thrived despite her disadvantaged state but the key was she had a guardian who believed in her and helped her thrive. It demonstrates how important it is to have mentors in our lives to help us thrive.

This illustrated biography for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, and insightful inserts.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Temple Grandin, Amazing! An Inspiration for People with Autism like Myself.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the life of Temple Grandin showing her successes in managing the challenges her autism puts in her way. I intentionally do not say "overcoming" because overcoming gives the impression the challenges no longer exist for her and that is not true. Rather, Temple has used what she learned in managing the stresses caused by her autism to benefit animals, particularly cattle, in the animal husbandry field. She has a unique way of understanding animals and sees things, because of her autism, that others do not see. She has also become a critical part of the movement to help folks better understand autism and the people who have autism. She has also helped people with autism understand their own autism as well. She shows them that their brains are not "broken", they are just different.

Temple Grandin is certainly someone who is outstanding in her field. And Temple probably would smile and say that's exactly where she prefers to be -- out, standing in her field

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is always more to learn about Temple Grandin. Such an inspiring person.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s interesting to see how often those that just don’t seem to fit in can have the greatest impact on society. Their unique talents and ways of looking at the world combined with their intelligence and determination can have such a positive influence on our every day lives. This would be a wonderfully inspiring read for any child dealing with autism or any challenge for that matter. A good quick read for parents and teachers as well to better understand and appreciate the hidden potential in every child.

[Anna Cavallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book! I learned many things about the life of Temple Grandin. It is unusual for an autistic person to become as well known as she has from her work with cows. She started out in life with people not understanding her situation, being bullied and having learning difficulties. She is an inspiration to many.

Who Is Temple Grandin?

[Colin Richey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good story for if you want to know about somebody that you may not know. It was also very informative and interesting, and gave me just the right amount of detail. It also tells about how animals live in an industrial farm.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my son, who is on the spectrum, as a bedtime story (he likes fiction, but prefers non-fiction) and he has read it again on his own many times as he does with many books. 📚 We learned such about Temple, and what she has done for livestock. I can honestly say I had no clue about any of it, I only knew she was a great role model and speaker who is also on the spectrum and shares her knowledge on autism. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it gave great insight to her childhood as well as her adulthood and career. I loved how the book shared some of her coping mechanisms alongside her struggles and successes through her life so far. She is living proof that we define ourselves! #differentlyabled

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was super fascinating. It was super fun learning about all sorts of new things I have never even heard of before. It was really interesting to read about all of the inventions and solutions that Temple came up with. I usually don't get super excited about biographies, but this one was really intriguing. the story was well written and really showed the emotions that temple was feeling.

[Peyton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book and an amazing introduction to Temple Grandin. It’s also part of the very informative Who/What Is? series. This book tells Grandins whole life from birth to what she is currently working on. It highlights all her achievements, while also providing some of her more difficult times. A great way and a quick read to learn more about this amazing woman.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book! I learned many things about the life of Temple Grandin. It is unusual for an autistic person to become as well known as she has from her work with cows. She started out in life with people not understanding her situation, being bullied and having learning difficulties. She is an inspiration to many.

[Stella Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book because I got to learn about Temple Grandin. Temple was a woman who had autism and was different from others. She is a woman who really cared about animals. She was an scientist. Understanding people was hard for Temple, I thought it was cool that Temple was proud that she is an autistic person and she is proud of who she is.

[James W · Rating 4 out of 5]

An introductory book discussing Temple Grandin’s early life and development. She is such a phenomenal woman, and I’m excited to do a deep dive and read her autobiography! I appreciate the pictures in the book and the emotional response of how her autism shaped her growing up, but I wish more had been covered about her efforts to change the livestock industry.

[Carol Farrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for a younger reader to learn about autism, and about cattle. I am a speech therapist and was aware of Temple but did not really know her story. As an adult it was a very quick read and very informative. I do recommend it. This is an excellent series overall.

[Chelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an incredible human being! I was so excited to put this in my classroom library until I came upon a sentence halfway through the book that was a definite “no-no” for third graders! It would definitely spark a discussion that I don’t want to have! GREAT book!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting would be a good description of this book. It’s good to see how attitudes and knowledge about autism have changed over the years and how what seems like a deficit becomes a great advantage. A wonderful read about a fascinating woman

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d somehow not heard of Temple until I found this book through an ebook lending app. I found her story interesting. Still a fan of this series while it geared towards kids adults can enjoy these short reads too.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting person! And I learned about the cattle industry. I love Temple Grandin’s approach of seeing life through the eyes of the animals with which she works. The world could greatly benefit from more people taking this approach!

[Vani Ghanate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read about Temple Grandin. I had no idea who this person was until I picked up this book and now, not only do I know about Temple Grandin, but also about autism and livestock treatments..

[Karthika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching book about Temple Grandin. It was my first introduction to autism. The way she overcame her difficulty and helped cattle is very inspirational. Recommended reading for everyone 👍

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate that when someone who is being bullied can't take anymore and fights back, they are always the one that gets in trouble and the bullies never do.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and interesting bio of Temple Grandin. Recommended.

[Mai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how I felt about this book. Probably wouldn't have it in the classroom for my younger students.

[Sarah Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book aloud to my son. It was very well written. It pulled from several different sources and gave titles for further reading. It would have been better if the illustrations were in color.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

YA

[Dakota Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really find Temple inspiring and a good role model

[Jackie Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

So helpful and inspired me to learn more

[Child960801 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read informative book about a woman who has done much to make the world a better place.

[Malorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Only minus one star for how they define what autism is. They definitely could have done better on that end.

[Kady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had seen some clips of Temple on TikTok and got curious, so I picked this up as a general primer on her and wow she is amazing.