Many people enjoy reading books that include characters to whom they can relate. It helps write my essay with connection between the fictional world and the reader. On the other side, it can be an enriching experience to read about characters who are vastly different. Giving your students a selection of books that feature characters with Asperger syndrome (AS) can help your students with AS feel more included, as well as help your other students understand their peers with AS.
1. "Tremendaspie - A delightful tale about a boy with Asperger's Syndrome" by Tracey Gottliebsen"Trueman Bradley: Aspie Detective" is a young adult mystery novel centered on the title character. Longing to be like his comic book heroes, Trueman sets out to New York City to become a private detective. With determination and brilliant math skills, Trueman is going to prove, not only to his friends and the police, but also to himself that a man with AS can be a great detective.
2. "Trueman Bradley: Aspie Detective" by Alexei Maxim Russell"Trueman Bradley: Aspie Detective" is a young adult mystery novel centered on the title character. Longing to be like his comic book heroes, Trueman sets out to New York City to become a private detective. With determination and brilliant math skills, Trueman is going to prove, not only to his friends and the police, but also to himself that a man with AS can be a great detective.
3. "Stim" by Kevin BerryTold in first person, "Stim" is a contemporary novel chronicling the experiences of Robert, a young man with AS. Robert is struggling to accept himself and understand others and has decided this year he will find a girlfriend. Robert's roommates, Chloe, who also has AS, and Stef, accompany him on his journey. "Stim" explores the awkward and sometimes funny moments Robert encounters on his quest.
4. "Mockingbird" by Kathryn ErskineCaitlin, a young girl with AS depends on her older brother, Devon to explain the things she cannot understand. When Devon dies, Caitlin is left to deal with her confusion on her own. "Mockingbird" is written from Caitlin's perspective as she tries to make sense of a world that she has always seen as black and white.
5. "The Half-Life of Planets" by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin"The Half-Life of Planets" is a young adult romance that tells the story of Lianna, an aspiring planetary scientist and kissing addict, and Hank, an intelligent, funny, and socially awkward boy with AS. The two authors alternate chapters, telling the story from both Lianna's and Hank's perspectives.
Adding books that feature characters with AS to your classroom library or recommending them to your students, can help your students better understand the world from the perspective of a teen with AS. These books also provide young people with AS the opportunity to read books with characters similar to themselves.