Blue Bottle Mystery: An Asperger Adventure (Asperger Adventures) [Paperback]

Kathy Hoopmann (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Asperger Adventures

This is a warm, fun-filled fantasy story for children with a difference: the hero is Ben, a boy with Asperger Syndrome. When Ben and his friend Andy find an old bottle in the school yard, they little realize the surprises about to be unleashed in their lives. Bound up with this exciting mystery is the story of how Ben is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and how he and his family deal with the problems and joys that come along. Blue Bottle Mystery is a delight to read that is more than just another kid's book. For the first time, the issues and frustrations that a child may have with Asperger Syndrome are explored within a fictional format especially for children. Its portrayal of Ben as the central character offers other children with autistic spectrum disorders and their peers a positive role model. It is a valuable teaching tool that demystifies children with Asperger Syndrome, justifying their individuality as valid and interesting. In Blue Bottle Mystery Kathy Hoopmann has combined her love of children with her passion for fantasy literature to produce a delightful read for anyone who loves an adventure and wants a unique insight into the mind of an Asperger child.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-Nothing seems to be going right for Ben. Sometimes he has trouble understanding what his teachers are saying, and they get frustrated and yell at him. And because he sometimes acts strangely, he only has one friend, Andy. The boys are in a miserable mood, digging in the dirt in the schoolyard, when they unearth a mysterious blue bottle. Imagining that it belongs to a genie, they leap into a barrage of wishes and, gradually, their wishes begin to come true. Ben and his father win the lottery, while Andy begins a furious growth spurt that enables him to join the basketball team. Even Ben's behavior problems are eased when he is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, a kind of autism, and he and his family learn how to deal with his condition. Only the mystery of Ben and Andy's forgotten third wish remains, and that resolves itself in a most gratifying way. Blue Bottle Mystery is a simple and straightforward story with appealing characters. It's a gentle introduction to the challenges and unique qualities of people living with Asperger's and a welcome read for families who have experienced it and similar conditions.

Heather Dieffenbach, Lexington Public Library, KY

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Kathy Hoopmann is a primary school teacher and children's author who lives on a small property near Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia. She is married with three children, two zebra finches and dozens of wild birds that feed on her back deck. Her son has been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 93 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (May 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853029785
• ISBN-13: 978-1853029783
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #219,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Illness

More About the Author

Kathy Hoopmann lives in Australia with her husband and three children. She is also the author of the Asperger Adventure series for younger children, Blue Bottle Mystery, Of Mice and Aliens, and Lisa and the Lacemaker, all published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was the ice breaker for disclosing diagnosis of AS, December 30, 2002

By 

Parent of son with Asperger's (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Bottle Mystery: An Asperger Adventure (Asperger Adventures) (Paperback)

It's been over a year since my son and I read this book together, but I am still so happy that I discovered it. I was never quite sure when or how to talk to my son about his diagnosis, but knew that the time was getting close(he was 10 yrs old). After reading this book, which had enough literal and amusing examples that my AS son enjoyed and we both laughed about, my son's only comment was, "I think I'm alot like that kid in the book, except I have friends." I smiled and closed the book. Over the next few days, my son kept referring to the boy in the book, and then point blank one day asked me if he too had Asperger's Syndrome. It was for us a really unexpected and nice way to teach him more about himself and actually using the AS term (as we'd done alot of teaching without using AS in previous years).
I'm here now to buy the sequel! I would recommend this book to children, parents, teachers, and professionals. Each child is different, so I'd recommend that parents read it first and try to imagine how their child would like it (and not just how they felt when reading it).

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an education on understanding aspergers syndrome, December 13, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Blue Bottle Mystery: An Asperger Adventure (Asperger Adventures) (Paperback)

Hi I am a 12 year old boy with aspergers syndrome my therapist gave me this book to read when I had trouble or was being silly in school today I finished reading this book it inspired me showing that changes may be hard but you have to accept them no matter how hard they are to cope with at first it will be alright.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Blue Bottle Mystery: An Asperger Adventure" is a must-read!, February 21, 2002

By 

C. Guinn "christina-g" (Demotte, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blue Bottle Mystery: An Asperger Adventure (Asperger Adventures) (Paperback)

... Im going to begin this review by saying this book was absolutely WONDERFUL! I finished it in one day (even with everyday interruptions). I couldn't put it down.

Ben Jones is the main character of the book. He has difficulty understanding what teachers mean, why they are always cross with him and why kids at school tease, taunt and bully him.

Im not going to give away all the details here because this book is a treasure you must read for yourself.

The book starts at school. Ben is having a difficult day with his teacher, Ms. Browning-Lever. The fact that his teacher doesnt (nor seem to want to) understand Bens behavior, is upsetting and the effect on Ben is devastating. The events in that school room and on the playground that day truly upset me and had me in tears because my son went through similar experiences. (Ms. Hoopman knows what she's talking about here, obviously. And she tells it well.)...

This is an absolutely delightful, warm, insightful book that shows kids with Aspergers that they are NOT weird, theyre unique and wonderful. And that if the powers that be at school would only educate themselves on Aspergers Syndrome, these childrens lives could be changed forever, as will theirs, the educators. Through our AS children, they will open themselves up to a new way of seeing things. They will find in these children a warmth, a delightful sense of humor and intelligence that theyve likely not seen before. Our AS children are not rude. They are honest and to-the-point with no desire to hurt anyone. They just want things they dont understand to be explained to them. They want to know HOW to make (and keep) friends because most AS children desperately want them. Theyre tired of being considered weird. They just want to try and fit in this neurotypical world of ours.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. These are just my opinions. Only you can decide for yourself. I feel it is a must read for parents, teachers, counselors, doctors, family members and for persons with Aspergers Syndrome. I think Kathy Hoopman is a very talented writer and applaud her efforts in this book. I was so impressed, I ordered her other book, Of Mice and Aliens the minute I finished this book. All I can say is........When are you writing your next book, Ms. Hoopman?