A Close Approximation of an Ordinary Life

by Meryl McQueen

Begin. I am ten now. Ten, two times five times one a million times over if I want. Or ten, ten ones are ten every time. Ten. Dad says it's Asperger's, syndrome is a sickness, not like a bellyache but sometimes an earache or a brainache. AS means that some things that other kids think are easy are not so easy for me, and some things that other people think are hard are simple as pie for me. Look look look. Follow me, do not follow, look. That is what they say. Jan, Mom, Dad, Lucy. Look. They want to know what I remember. I remember everything. Follow the story of Leonard Anthony brilliant, articulate, ambitious. And living each day with the challenges and opportunities of high-functioning autism, making his way in a confusing world.

Genres: Memoir

74 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Yusuf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether or not you know anyone with autism or Asperger's, this is a great book. It's written in the first person, which really gives you the experience of being inside the protagonist's head. Len is a wonderful character--his story gave me a whole new understanding of what it's like to go through life as someone with autism--and the three sections of him as a child, a teenager and an adult really draw you into his world. Buy it, read it, and share it with everyone you know!

[Mary Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me appreciate my own "approximation of an ordinary life", and in reading it to my kids, helped us all be more tolerant of our own idiosyncrasies and of those around us. Thank you! I think Len would love to pick apart the saying, "Walk a mile in my shoes!"

A wonderful book!

[Sherry Ruest Mockler Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!