Starred review from January 20, 2020
An autistic preteen struggles to navigate the demands of an allistic world in this powerful collaboration between Scott, an autistic 11-year-old, and established author Westcott, who is neurotypical. Funny, self-aware Tally is about to start sixth grade, and that means an overwhelming new school with lots of new people. To fit in, she chooses to keep her autism a secret, avoiding her usual coping mechanisms in order to fit in. Bullying and abandonment by her best friend ensue, but just when she can’t take it anymore, people close to Tally—including her sister and a teacher—learn to offer understanding and support in myriad ways. This is a sweetly appealing story of finding oneself in a time of change, and it’s heartening to see an autistic protagonist who finds happiness through the growth of those around her and not via learning to hide herself. Occasional first-person diary entries narrate Tally’s experiences, offering “Autism Facts” about anxiety, demand avoidance, meltdowns, and stimming, among other topics. Alongside a compelling heroine, vividly accurate portrayals of stressful situations and specific needs offer a rare and valuable window into one autistic point of view. Ages 8–12.
