Corroded: A Novel of Friendship and Autism

by Carrie Dalby

Fifteen and suffocating in her sister's shadow, Mary Weber struggles to claim her own identity-and the attention of a guy at school. No matter what she does or where she goes, Mary never feels she measures up to her older sister's legacy. Ben Thomas, a seventeen-year-old neighbor on the autism spectrum, crosses paths with Mary. He fights against the weight of his rigid lifestyle because he doesn't want his sensory issues to block their road to friendship. An unlikely relationship forges between someone hiding from the world and another seeking to find her place in it. Will Ben and Mary discover what it takes to strengthen their lives that have been corroding around them?
Corroded is a contemporary teen novel with a classic coming-of-age theme relevant to those both on and off the autism spectrum. With a dual point-of-view story line, readers will experience the neurotypical life of Mary as she navigates public high school, friendship trouble, and family drama, plus feel the inner-workings of homeschooling Ben as he deals with sensory and other issues relating to his Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Genres: Young Adult

274 pages, Paperback

Published March 22, 2022

About the author

Carrie Dalby has lived in Mobile, Alabama, since 1996, but called locations in both San Diego and Santa Cruz counties home while growing up in California. Serving two terms as president of Mobile Writers’ Guild, five years as the Mobile area Local Liaison for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and helping coordinate the Mobile Literary Festival are just a few of the writing-related volunteer positions she’s held. When Carrie isn’t reading, writing, researching, or browsing bookstores, libraries, estate sales, thrift stores, museums, or archives, she can often be found volunteering with the Mobile Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association or attending concerts.

Carrie writes for both teens and adults.
As of 2025, The Possession Chronicles, The Malevolent Trilogy, and Washington Square Secrets are her Southern Gothic series for adults. She has also published several shorts that can be found in different anthologies as well as her short story collection MASKED FLAWS AND OTHER STORIES.

FORTITUDE is listed as a “Best Historical Book for Kids” by Grateful American Foundation for its historical accuracy and reader engagement for those in grades fifth through tenth.

For more information, social media links, newsletter sign-up, and more, visit her website: carriedalby dot com

Reviews

[debbicat *made of stardust* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this sweet novel of a special kind of friendship. It’s purrfect for autism awareness month. Fortunately it fits in nicely with my spring reading 📖 challenge for Retro Chapter chicks in the category of young adult. Mary and Ben are great characters to spend time with. Light and refreshing between heavier reads.

This was out of print until recently when the author brought it back. I have a shiny new paperback that’s so pretty. Highly recommended!

[Carrie Dalby]

New version available for this contemporary novel of mine that's been out of print for three years. It's a great read for April (Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month) or anytime.

[Joyce Scarbrough · Rating 4 out of 5]

You might think that this book is different because Ben, one of the main characters, has Asperger's, but that's not really true. Sure, it's great to see a fictional character on the autism spectrum who's not just a token peripheral character thrown in for marketing purposes and whose story is honest, heartfelt and realistically written from Ben's POV, but that's not what stood out the most for me in this book. The other main character, Mary, is one of the most atypical teenage characters I've ever seen in a book, yet I'm sure she's also one that many teen readers will identify with and cheer for as she navigates her way through school life, changing friendships, boyfriends, family relationships, and figuring out who she wants to be as she turns fifteen. And although this is Christian fiction, its message is unobtrusive and non-judgmental as Mary quietly lives her life as a spiritual example to others. Watching Mary and Ben figure out what kind of relationship they have is funny, touching, and one of the sweetest love stories I've ever read.

[Lee Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

CORRODED is different from the many YA books I've read, and I actually LOVE that about this story! Ben is one of the most refreshing characters I've ever encountered. He's autistic--more specifically, he has Asperger's--and we get to be in his head! A bold move on the author's part, and she handles it brilliantly. Our other main character, Mary, is real, genuine, and has an innocence that is sometimes void in YA novels. She's the girl next door that you want to get to know. If you're looking for a good read with memorable characters, CORRODED is for you!

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect YA book to read for Autism Awareness Month. It was so interesting to read Ben's point of view and see the world a little differently through his eyes. I'd never heard of the word stimming before, so I learned a lot about the autism spectrum in his gentle, hesitant way. His and Mary's friendship is so sweet as she tries to figure out who she wants to be, and what she wants out of life.

[Chris Cox, a librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carrie Dalby has written a very nice coming-of-age story about a fifteen-year-old high school freshman named Mary Lou. My favorite part of the story centers around the relationship between Mary Lou and Ben, her friend with Asperger’s Syndrome. The author shows a great deal of insight into autism whenever we see Ben’s unique perspective on the events going on around him.

[Stephanie Lawton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read with a character specifically identified as being on the Autism spectrum. From start to finish is was enlightening and heartening to "be" Ben in the chapters written in his POV, and reaffirming to see him through Mary's eyes in her POV chapters.

Not your typical YA novel, the characters in CORRODED are very familiar and very unique at the same time. The background characters are pretty familiar to anyone who's been through middle school and/or high school, but the two main characters are anything but average. Mary is a little hard to identify with in some sections. I had to really think back to when I was that age in order to get where she was coming from. Some of her choices and inner monologue were confusing.

But Ben, oh Ben, this is where CORRODED shines. Instead of being marginalized as a weirdo side character, we get inside the head of someone with Asperger's, and I'd venture to say we all know someone like this to one degree or another. He's handsome, funny, caring and intelligent. He just also happens to have some quirks - which is such an awesome reversal of usual depictions where they are a person with Asperger's first, and a normal human being second. I loved seeing Ben and Mary's evolutions and how they fit together personality-wise. Very heart-warming and satisfying. Also very refreshing in a time when shock-value is the norm.

CORRODED is listed as Christian fiction, but it's hardly noticeable if that's a deciding factor on whether or not to read it. It's very mild and while listed as Young Adult, would also be great for older Middle Grade readers who want a glimpse of high school.

[Craig Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started this novel, I couldn't put it down. The author does a wonderful job getting inside the mind of a teenage girl and a young boy with Asperger's. This is well done, and I found myself rooting for both characters as their relationship developed. In the beginning she had no idea, as his Asperger is mild, and they become friends. I love how the main character never looks down on him when she finds out the truth, and their relationship continues to build. The chapter endings are perfect, making you want to flip immediately to the next chapter. I love the chapters from his perspective, and how the characters developed. The ending was satisfying, but I rather hoped it would have ended under the cypress tree the main character described such a fondness of, especially after the jerk that went with her to it was unappreciative. I think it would have been great to have the ending there. I either want a sequel from this author, or another novel portraying a character with Asperger or Autism. She does a very great job with the topic, and I'd recommend this book to anybody who loved The Fault in Our Stars, The Notebook, or any other great romance.
5/5 stars.

[MeLeesa Swann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting into this MC's head was a gift. Watching Mary Lou grow up and befriend someone who is so different, so easy to misunderstand, touched me to my core. Carrie Dalby created a rose and it was beautiful to watch it bloom.

[Carrie Dalby]

Reacquainted myself with this for a book club discussion.
Not starring my own book, but tagged it for Autism Spectrum and Homeschool bookshelves for topics. Contemporary young adult.

[Carmel Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love an amazing story

This is a beautiful story about teenage problems and solutions. It starts with puppy love and problems at school and ends with fixing the problems and love

[Mahala Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

This refreshing look at the reality of being a teenager in the 21st Century made for a pleasant and enlightening read. Caught between the classic "cutest boy in school" and a different young man, compassionate and bright and dealing with autism has fifteen-year-old Mary Lou whirling and at odds with her friends and family. Beautifully rendered, this story is filled with hope and appreciation for the future.

[Oksana Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read YA books, but this was written by a local author, which got me interested. I like to read local authors. I learned about teen relationship which was complicated by autism. This book broadened by horizons. It was sweet, nice, not complicated.Two POV. I never was confused or lost during the reading. Good luck to the author. Thank you.

[Merrijane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually read romance, especially not young adult romance, but I feel this gentle little book is something I can recommend. It alternates between the girl's and boy's perspectives. Mary is a 15-year-old freshman trying to navigate evolving relationships and self-confidence issues; Ben is a home-schooled17-year-old with autism (Asperger's) who wants to make a new friend. The author does very well in writing about autism in a relatable way without seeming self-important or advocacy-minded. The characters are what's important here, and they are likable. I cared what happened to them. Though there were a few editing issues throughout, the story ultimately kept me turning pages to see what would happen right up to the end.

[Britney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet story. Mary is a teenage girl who's been living in her sister's shadow for years and feels like she hadn't experienced anything. Then she meets and connects with her neighbor Ben who has Autism. Ben is misunderstood, but  SO sweet. I loved seeing how the story unfolded, and how their friendship developed. Sometimes it takes a special person to bring out the best in us. And sometimes it takes a special person to SEE the best in us. What a lovely story. This story is from the point of view of both Ben and Mary which makes it interesting. And because of that, it really helps you get into Ben's mind and see things the way he does, which was a beautiful experience.

[Caren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't my regular genre of YA, but I'm so happy I read it. Dalby pegs high school and the difficulties teens face from day to day, especially those on the Autism spectrum. It was eye opening for me. Highly recommend it.