The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night-time

Haddon, Mark. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. New York: Vintage Books, 2003.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time tells the story of Christopher, a fifteen-year old boy with Asperger’s Syndrome who happens upon a mysteriously dead dog. In the process of solving the mystery he finds mysteries in his own life that, when explained, cause major changes in his life. Christopher solves the mystery by prying into the lives of his neighbors, much to his father’s dismay. His prodding induces one chatty neighbor to reveal a truth that prompts further investigation, leading ultimately to Christopher angering his father and running away from home. He braves the London Underground and the unknown to escape to safety, encounters all kinds of terrifying people and places, and ultimately ends up learning that forgiveness and trust are ultimately important in leading a successful life.

By using Christopher as the narrator, the novel gives the reader a glimpse into the life of a boy with Asperger’s, something that is not typically seen in literature about persons with disabilities. The book is able to explore the quirks and behaviors that are typically exhibited by people with Asperger’s, offering insight and explanations for those who are outsiders to the community through Christopher. Written very matter-of-factly, Christopher presents his life in a straightforward manner, allowing the reader to make their own judgments about this character.

As a piece of diverse, multicultural literature, this book offers a unique perspective of a child with Asperger's. It is difficult to judge the accuracy of the text, however, it is extremely interesting. Written with compassion, Christopher is a complex character that deals with the world at his own pace. This book deals with many of the issues that families with disabilities encounter, and it is a quality piece to include in a library.

Rules

Lord, Cynthia. Rules. New York: Scholastic Press. 2006

Rules is a novel written from the point of view of Catherine, a twelve-year old girl looking for some normalcy amidst the chaos that is her family. Her brother David has autism, and throughout the novel Catherine struggles with having a younger brother who demands so much of their parent’s attention, has trouble communicating, and consistently embarrasses her in public. Desperate to help both her brother and herself, Catherine makes rules for David that teach him proper behavior at home and around strangers. Throughout the story she learns the power of love, acceptance, and breaking all kinds of rules.

Written by an insider to living in a family with a child who has autism, Rules compassionately portrays the characters of Catherine’s family and their struggles in learning how to live with one another. This book does not focus on only one person with a disability, incorporating Jason, a wheelchair and communication board user who attends occupational therapy with David. These characters are very real, inherently deserving of respect, and convey an accurate description of social interactions. The book deals with the idea of social acceptance in a very positive manner, offering insight into comical, serious, dramatic, and even heart-wrenching interactions.

As a piece of diverse literature, Rules offers yet another perspective of a family member living with a child with autism. Catherine's twelve year old sibling perspective is a valuable one to include in any collection, especially one in elementary and middle school libraries. Her situation is not unique, the book is well written and sympathetic, and it is important for this book to be available as a resource and an enjoyable novel for students of all ages.