Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes [Hardcover]

Jennifer Elder (Author), Marc Thomas (Illustrator)

Book Description

Different Like Me introduces children aged 8 to 12 years to famous, inspirational figures from the world of science, art, math, literature, philosophy and comedy.
Eight-year-old Quinn, a young boy with Asperger's Syndrome, tells young readers about the achievements and characteristics of his autism heroes, from Albert Einstein, Dian Fossey and Wassily Kandinsky to Lewis Carroll, Benjamin Banneker and Julia Bowman Robinson, among others. All excel in different fields, but are united by the fact that they often found it difficult to fit in-just like Quinn.
Fully illustrated in color and written in child-friendly language, this book will be a wonderful resource for children, particularly children with autism, their parents, teachers, carers and siblings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Different Like Me is a book describing the lives of various people who found it difficult to fit into society. There are both famous and historical people who found it difficult to fit into society. There are both famous and historical people who all excelled in their chosen fields. It is beautifully illustrated and starts with an introduction to Quinn, who describes what it feels like to be different from others-to be, in fact, autistic.
The famous people include Albert Einstein, Andy Warhol, Sir Isaac Newton and gives brief pen portraits of their lives, difficulties they encountered and their achievements.
The book is written with children between the ages of eight and twelve years in mind, and could be a useful resource for explaining some of the effects of autism and the feeling of not fitting in or belonging.
It offers good role models and will encourage those children with low self-esteem that they, too, can achieve great things." ---Support for Learning

About the Author

Jennifer Elder is assistant editor in an established book publishing company. She and her husband have two sons, one of whom has ASD. You can read more about their family in the memoirs Sixpence House and Not Even Wrong.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (November 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843108151
• ISBN-13: 978-1843108153
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Specific Groups > Special Needs
  • #67 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Special Needs

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Godsend! I Love This Book!, December 11, 2005

By 

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

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This review is from: Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes (Hardcover)

I wish I had this extraordinary book when I was a child! It is truly a Godsend. Masterfully written and beautifully illustrated, this book helps you celebrate the Autism Experience. What makes this book stand out are the rich illustrations; the list of highly accomplished people with autism such as comedian/actor Andy Kaufman; pop poster artist Andy Warhol; musician Glen Gould; Issac Newton; philosopher Kant; Dian Fossey; Nika Tesla; John Cornell and many others. This is a book that will inspire pride, hope and joy among the autism/Asperger's (a/A) world and certainly enlighten the neurotypical (NT) world as well!

Each one of the people in this book were on the a/A spectrum. Many of them, such as the philosopher Kant predated the terms "autism" and "Asperger's" and learned to live with their sensory and perceptual differences. Each and every one of these people have demonstrated how to live successfully on the a/A spectrum. No "Rain Men" here! I just love this book!

Luckily stores in my town have copies of this book and I feel it is something everybody will benefit from. Be sure to ask your libraries to order this book. God bless those who were directly involved in putting this together. This is a book that makes you want to wave your Enigma Banner and celebrate the a/A experience!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Book!, February 12, 2007

By 

R. Pearson "Avid Reader" (IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes (Hardcover)

My son appreciated this book. He was aware he was different than other kids but didn't really understand himself. While teaching him about his autism, he got to thumb through this book and feel a surge of pride that some of the worlds most brillant and artistic men and women were and are... autistic themselves! Great book, highly recommended!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!, May 27, 2006

By 

D. Dahl (Mid-America) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes (Hardcover)

This book is good for any student to read. Students need to know that just because they have a mild/moderate disability does not mean they can't be personally successful at something they love. It is often the disability that leads an individual to their success... and this book points that out. It should of course be noted that success doesn't necessarily equate with riches or fame. Non-disabled students should read this book so they can have a greater appreciation for their disabled classmates. Disabled students could use this book to do a 'hero' report on an individual in the book. I can also be a springboard for discussing well-known individuals with disabilities living today.