My Best Friend Will [Paperback]

Jamie Lowell and Tara Tuchel (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1931282757 | ISBN-13: 978-1931282758 | Publication Date: June 1, 2005

This stunning black-and-white photo journal chronicles the relationship between 11-year-old neurotypical Jamie and her friend Willie who has autism. The reader enters Willie s world through Jamie s eyes to witness events that unfold at school, at home, and at play. In the process, you will gain a rich understanding and appreciation of Willie s many unique qualities and come to accept that they are all a part of who he is.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Powerful and intimate ... Through wonderful photographs, My Best Friend Will shows the power and value of friendship -- Glenda Fuge, M.S., OTR/L, and Rebecca Berry, M.S., PT, Authors

Every child should have the opportunity to learn the beautiful lessons contained in My Best Friend Will! -- Jeanne Lyons, former inclusion classroom teacher, mother of a child with Asperger

Every child should have the opportunity to learn the beautiful lessons contained in My Best Friend Will! --Jeanne Lyons, former inclusion classroom teacher, mother of a child with Asperger

What a great book for all those who care about kids on the autism spectrum! -- Joan Clark, MA, CCC-SLP, Author

What a great book for all those who care about kids on the autism spectrum! --Joan Clark, MA, CCC-SLP, Author

“Powerful and intimate ... Through wonderful photographs, My Best Friend Will shows the power and value of friendship --Glenda Fuge, M.S., OTR/L, and Rebecca Berry, M.S., PT, Authors

“Powerful and intimate ... Through wonderful photographs, My Best Friend Will shows the power and value of friendship --Glenda Fuge, M.S., OTR/L, and Rebecca Berry, M.S., PT, Authors

What a great book for all those who care about kids on the autism spectrum! --Joan Clark, MA, CCC-SLP, Author

About the Author

Jamie Lowell is a fifth grader at Willow River Elementary in Hudson, Wisconsin. She enjoys being in Integrated Play Groups, swimming and playing with her friend Willie. She also likes going to movies, going to the mall and making bracelets. She has been friends with Willie since kindergarten. This is JamieÂ’s first book. Tara C. Tuchel, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a speech/language pathologist and autism specialist, who teaches an elementary-level autism program in Hudson, Wisconsin. In addition, Tara is an instructor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where she teaches an introductory course on autism. Over the past five years Tara has successfully implemented Integrated Play Groups involving more than fifty children in her school-based program.

Product Details

• Paperback: 37 pages
• Publisher: Autism Asperger Publishing Company (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931282757
• ISBN-13: 978-1931282758
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 10 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #789,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must be held in your hands to appreciate, August 2, 2005

By 

Kristi A. Sakai (Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Best Friend Will (Paperback)

This book about the frienship between two children, one who has autism, one who doesn't, is touching and beautiful. To look at this book in the catalogue or online doesn't do it justice, but when you hold it in your hands you will find it is incredibly unique. The black and white photos of Jamie and her friend, Will, will make you wish you had a friendship like that as a child because you can see the acceptance and caring they have for each other. And the fun! The message is in equal measure as succesful in conveying what it is to be a friend as the pictures are. It explains characteristics of autism in a simple way that is easy for children and adults to understand. This is a book of inclusion, of acceptance, of loving each other for who you are as an individual. As a parent of children with autism the beauty of this message makes me cry. I wish for friends like the 11 year old author, Jamie, for my children. I'm going to read this book to my children's classmates, but I won't loan it out. It's one of those keepers I want to be perfectly selfish with! However, I did purchase a second copy for the library. I'm already thinking ahead to Christmas, it would make a perfect gift, not only for the parents of childen with autism, and teachers, but for ALL children. It is such a powerful message that both children and adults will find this book endearing.

Kristi Sakai, parent of 3 with Asperger Syndrome and author of
Finding Our Way: Practical Solutions for Creating a Supportive Home and Community for the Asperger Syndrome Family

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book, January 3, 2007

By 

Joanne Dacek "school psychologist and mother ... (Rockville Centre, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Best Friend Will (Paperback)

This is a wonderful introduction to autism for children. I am a school pyschologist and use it in a Kindergarten-2 grade elementary school to begin a discussion about autism with the children. The black and white pictures are expressive and sweet. The text was written by a 10 year old girl about her friendship with a child who has autism. It is told in simple, informative language and is sensitively written. It is a great discussion starter and has done wonders in my school building to begin relationships between typically developing children and children on the autistic spectrum.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Friendship, it's Friendship, May 5, 2006

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: My Best Friend Will (Paperback)

Jamie, the 11-year-old narrator talks about being friends with Will, who has autism. These beautiful photographs will certainly move all readers regardless of age.

Jamie accepts Will unconditionally; he does not have to jump through any hoops or pass any tests with her. I like the way Jamie talks about the fun she and Will have together; this will hearken to mind Peralta's book about her brother, Evan.

I just love the inclusion that is so much a part of the friendship of these two children; I just love the overall tone of this book. As someone who has an invested interest in autism, the author deserves special kudos for portraying autism in a logical, clear and straightforward way that promotes tolerance. Hats off to this book! I am going to ask my library to order a copy of this book. I also feel educators will get a lot out of it as well. This is a good companion book to Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book

Their friendship makes me think of the Cole Porter classic, "Friendship." They have beautifully demonstrated that "while other friendships go up in smoke, ours will still be oak, rah da da da da, be beepoom baa."