Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Eariler this year The Speed of Dark, a friend of mine recommended this book, and even though it was an adult sci-fi, I thought it was perfect for young adults.

The MC is autistic, born a few years to early to be cured by a new treatment. The entire story is from his perspective as he tries to deal with a normal world who hates him for being different. He wonders much about who he is and what is normal, and it is his own questions about himself that makes this a perfect story for YA because many teenagers deal with the same questions.

I loved this. A woman I know whose son is an autistic teen said it was 'ok.' I understand that some people who have direct experience are troubled by the book's ending being too facile. And by the fact that the MC is very high-functioning, and yet makes some implausible mistakes.

I say, we all make implausible mistakes, behave as if stupid, sometimes. And besides, Moon is a parent of an autistic son, too, so it's not like she's making this up.

Another books some YA readers might be intrigued by, by Moon, is Remnant Population. The main character is an elderly woman, but the choices she has to make regarding obedience vs independence would resonate with teens and help them realize that people of all ages have lots in common.