Monday, November 7, 2016

Peete, Holly Robinson. Same but Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express.

Peete, Holly Robinson.  Same but Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express.  Scholastic Press  2016  183p  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-545-09468-9  ms/hs  Realistic fiction  VG

Most twins say they have a special bond, and Callie and Charlie are no different. Callie has always protected Charlie, who has autism, but this year will be different. She is moving on to tenth grade while Charlie repeats the ninth grade. Part of Callie loves being free of Charlie, feeling that he often is a burden, but there is no hiding the fact that she is his biggest supporter and best friend. Told from alternating viewpoints, the story is written in realistic voices by actual brother and sister RJ and Ryan Peete. Callie often struggles with caring for Charlie and resents the way that everything has to be his way all the time. Charlie’s chapters tend to be shorter and more focused, and he also wishes things were different. In the end, readers see an extremely realistic portrayal of life with a family member who has autism, as well as the perspective of the child with autism and the way he sees life.     

Summary: Twins Charlie and Callie have always had a close relationship. Callie has taken care of Charlie, who has autism. But this year she is moving on to the tenth grade while Charlie repeats ninth, and they wonder how life will be the same and yet different.


Twins-Fiction, Autism-Fiction                         --Erin Daley

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