In Caitlin's world, everything is black or white. Things are good or bad. Anything in between is confusing. That's the stuff Caitlin's older brothe...
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reviews
Jul 03, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it: 
Children's librarians read quite a few books for kids and the result is that we tend to want to discuss them with one another. Unlucky librarians are surrounded solely by people who agree with their opinions. You're much luckier if you happen to have a group of close folks around you who can offer alternate takes on the books you read and critique. Now, it doesn't happen every year but once in a while children's books (novels in particular) become divisive. Folks draw battle lines in the sand an
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4 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Nov 29, 2010
Karen
rated it: 
An excellent addition to the growing list of fiction books with an autistic narrator. Ostracized by other 5th grade students already (because of her autism), Caitlin's role as the sister of a middle school boy killed in a school shooting only serves to make others more uncomfortable around her. Caitlin works hard to deal with the tragic, sudden death of her beloved brother and her father's resulting devastation. With the help of a wise school counselor she also makes progress towards learning
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(3 people liked it)
Apr 03, 2011
Thomas
rated it: 
4.5 stars.
A moving story about an eleven-year-old girl with Asperger’s syndrome whose older brother dies in a school shooting and the steps she takes to get closure. Kathryn Erskine pulls this poignant tale off wonderfully – it is sad, but sad in a way that gives the reader hope.
Throughout the novel I had to remind myself that Caitlin was eleven as opposed to five or six; this isn’t a bad thing, and in fact it shows Erskine’s talent for character development. To see her g More...
A moving story about an eleven-year-old girl with Asperger’s syndrome whose older brother dies in a school shooting and the steps she takes to get closure. Kathryn Erskine pulls this poignant tale off wonderfully – it is sad, but sad in a way that gives the reader hope.
Throughout the novel I had to remind myself that Caitlin was eleven as opposed to five or six; this isn’t a bad thing, and in fact it shows Erskine’s talent for character development. To see her g More...
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(5 people liked it)
Oct 23, 2010
Wendy
rated it:
One of my sisters loved this, the other didn't like it. I'm somewhere in between. I thought the writing was well-done: smooth and polished. But otherwise, I thought this was heavy-handed (the author's note is a sad muddle which kind of explains this) and very one-note.
Perhaps this is a small thing, but Devon's Eagle Scout project is a big part of the book, and it irritated me that what is described as his project would not earn him an Eagle--it just isn't big enough and doesn't include More...
Perhaps this is a small thing, but Devon's Eagle Scout project is a big part of the book, and it irritated me that what is described as his project would not earn him an Eagle--it just isn't big enough and doesn't include More...
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(4 people liked it)
Oct 12, 2011
Jen
rated it:
This was recommended by someone in my Adolescent Lit. Class. She didn't say much about it other than that it was a pretty easy read and that the main character has Aspberger's Syndrome. I read The Speed of Dark earlier this year and was surprised by how helpful it was in understanding the way people with Aspberger's see and hear the world and how things like color, loud noise, indirect speech, and facial expressions can be overwhelming and indecipherable. I'm hoping this will be a kid-friendly v
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(1 person liked it)
Mar 17, 2011
Chiara
rated it: 
C has moved into young adult fiction so I am now reading what she reads. I think this book is going to be good for our family as it shows the world thru an 11-year old with Aspergers and since Jimmy is on the spectrum it can shed some light on what we will be dealing with.
I have to say I totally loved all the To Kill A Mockingbird parallels. This is a great book for teaching the kids about Aspergers and how they are different. I can't believe my 9 year old chose it but I am proud of More...
I have to say I totally loved all the To Kill A Mockingbird parallels. This is a great book for teaching the kids about Aspergers and how they are different. I can't believe my 9 year old chose it but I am proud of More...
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 09, 2011
Kellee
rated it:
Complete review at: http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2011/11/...
This was one of those books that I never wanted to end. I got to where I was reading so fast, that I realized that I wasn't reading the chapter titles any more- that is how much I was gobbling up her Caitlin's words. I could have read about Caitlin for days and days because her voice is so beautiful. Beautiful and real. This book puts asperger's into a format where others may find empathy for those around them who are a More...
This was one of those books that I never wanted to end. I got to where I was reading so fast, that I realized that I wasn't reading the chapter titles any more- that is how much I was gobbling up her Caitlin's words. I could have read about Caitlin for days and days because her voice is so beautiful. Beautiful and real. This book puts asperger's into a format where others may find empathy for those around them who are a More...
Jan 26, 2011
Tahleen
rated it:
As someone who has Asperger's, 10-year-old Caitlin has trouble understanding why people act a certain way and how to react to them in turn. She would always turn to her older brother Devon to explain things and situations for her, but Devon dies in a tragedy that rocks their entire community. So not only is Caitlin left without her most trusted friend and big brother, she must learn how to deal with the way her father is now acting, the way others treat her in school, learning empathy, and most
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(6 people liked it)
Jan 22, 2012
Susie
rated it:
I think this is a book that will stay with me for quite some time. It took some careful planning and imagination to weave together this story and "To Kill a Mockingbird", and I really appreciate the author's craft. While I have read books with characters with autism before, Erskine does a great job showing us what goes on in Caitlin's mind. It's somewhat ironic that often she sees things plainly/literally for what they are. It's also important to note that an innocent first grader m
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Jan 16, 2012
Amy
rated it:
This book is brilliant.
The main character, Caitlin, is a young girl with Asperger's attempting to deal with the death of her older brother, Devon. Devon helps explain the world to Caitlin, and with him gone, the world becomes much more confusing and complicated.
Because autism is a spectrum disorder, the manner in which it is manifested differs from individual to individual. Erskine does not attempt to say "this is what Asperger's is" or "this is what autis More...
The main character, Caitlin, is a young girl with Asperger's attempting to deal with the death of her older brother, Devon. Devon helps explain the world to Caitlin, and with him gone, the world becomes much more confusing and complicated.
Because autism is a spectrum disorder, the manner in which it is manifested differs from individual to individual. Erskine does not attempt to say "this is what Asperger's is" or "this is what autis More...
Jan 09, 2012
Brian
rated it:
6 sent what i thought, what it was about, & who i would rec it to.
The begining of the book, I thought it wouldn't be interesting. As things unraveled, I began to get hooked because the author brings out very good examples of how different peoples lives are. To begin with Caitlyn is a very tender soul. Her and Her father greatly miss her brother. As the story continues, the reader is brought into their unfortunate lives. I am a sucker for depressed situations, and there were deffini More...
The begining of the book, I thought it wouldn't be interesting. As things unraveled, I began to get hooked because the author brings out very good examples of how different peoples lives are. To begin with Caitlyn is a very tender soul. Her and Her father greatly miss her brother. As the story continues, the reader is brought into their unfortunate lives. I am a sucker for depressed situations, and there were deffini More...
Jan 07, 2012
Mar
rated it:
I was sent this book by Usborne yesterday. Last night, I picked it up to read the blurb before bed. I read the whole book in one sitting - I just couldn't put it down.
Author Kathryn demands your attention from the go and maintains the momentum throughout each of the 223 pages.
You immediately care about each of the characters as they are introduced, the main ones being Caitlin and her widowed dad. Caitlin likes to be called Scout and she lives with Asperger's which makes deal More...
Author Kathryn demands your attention from the go and maintains the momentum throughout each of the 223 pages.
You immediately care about each of the characters as they are introduced, the main ones being Caitlin and her widowed dad. Caitlin likes to be called Scout and she lives with Asperger's which makes deal More...
Jan 03, 2012
Michelle
rated it:
Caitlin doesn’t see the world as others see it. She prefers black and white to color. She’s matter-of-fact and unemotional. She takes meanings very literally. She dislikes loud noises. And she hates when anyone invades her Personal Space. Caitlin has Asperger’s Syndrome.
Kathryn Erskine has created a beautiful character and surrounded her with difficulty. Not only does Caitlin’s struggle with social graces make her an oddity in the fifth grade and leave her virtually friendless, More...
Kathryn Erskine has created a beautiful character and surrounded her with difficulty. Not only does Caitlin’s struggle with social graces make her an oddity in the fifth grade and leave her virtually friendless, More...
Dec 22, 2011
Heather
rated it:
Caitlin is working really hard To Get It. She doesn't understand what other people, including her dad, teachers, and classmates, want her to do and say. She is trying her very best to use Your Manners and show others how to do things better. Caitlin's counselor expects her to try and make friends. Caitlin prefers to be a group of one or one plus her ever present dictionary.
Caitlin misses her brother, Devon. Devon always knew just what to say to make her Get It and stop her from acti More...
Caitlin misses her brother, Devon. Devon always knew just what to say to make her Get It and stop her from acti More...
Nov 29, 2011
Danielle
rated it:
Erskine, Kathryn. Mockingbird. Scholastic Inc.: New York, New York 2010. 232 pp. ISBN: 978-0-545-30-725-3.
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction.
Rating: ****: I have worked with children who have Asperger’s Syndrome and always wondered what it would be like to live a day being them. This beautiful book does a fabulous job of putting the reader into the head of a young girl who has Asperger’s Syndrome. I truly believe that any teacher that works with students with Aspergers should read this b More...
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction.
Rating: ****: I have worked with children who have Asperger’s Syndrome and always wondered what it would be like to live a day being them. This beautiful book does a fabulous job of putting the reader into the head of a young girl who has Asperger’s Syndrome. I truly believe that any teacher that works with students with Aspergers should read this b More...
Nov 07, 2011
1. Junior book- Contemporary Realism
2. Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine is moving novel that not only gives the perspective of the character Caitlin, a young girl who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome, but directs a special attention to communities affected by school violence. The book is very interesting and touching and it examines the different sides of school violence in a realistic manner.In this book you will see all of the reactions of the people around her through Caitlin,the narrato More...
2. Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine is moving novel that not only gives the perspective of the character Caitlin, a young girl who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome, but directs a special attention to communities affected by school violence. The book is very interesting and touching and it examines the different sides of school violence in a realistic manner.In this book you will see all of the reactions of the people around her through Caitlin,the narrato More...
Oct 27, 2011
Danny
rated it:
Death is a hard thing to face, and that's for people who may not have any disorders or anything like that. But Caitlin is a girl who has Aspergers syndrome, and so she has trouble completely understanding; not that Devon is dead, but how to feel about it and how to deal with others around her who are dealing with it. The word (she's a dictionary fiend) that she wants to reach, that all of the characters on some level want to reach, is closure.
I expected to like this book. I'd read o More...
I expected to like this book. I'd read o More...
Oct 26, 2011
Lori
rated it:
Personal Reaction:
I fell in love with the main character, 11 year old Caitlin. She is kindhearted, persistent, honest, forgiving, talented, and hardworking. She has a love for drawing in black and white and her work is very impressive. Her story is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. She has had to deal with more devastation than any individual should ever have to. The death of her mother from cancer, the death of her older brother from a school shooting, and her grie More...
I fell in love with the main character, 11 year old Caitlin. She is kindhearted, persistent, honest, forgiving, talented, and hardworking. She has a love for drawing in black and white and her work is very impressive. Her story is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. She has had to deal with more devastation than any individual should ever have to. The death of her mother from cancer, the death of her older brother from a school shooting, and her grie More...
Oct 24, 2011
Summary: Caitlin has asbergers syndrome. Everything in her world is mostly confusing and something to be learned. Emotion is one thing in particular that is hard for her to understand. So naturally when her big brother dies and she sees the sadness on everyone's faces she wants to know why. She knew she missed him but she wanted to know why. She makes friends with another child who lost someone in their life. She realizes that what she and her new friend need is closure. But she is not sure what
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Oct 23, 2011
Kelly
rated it:
I liked this book. I found the subject interesting as more and more student's are being diagnosed with this condition. I have a nephew and a second cousin with varying degrees of this syndrome. They are both kind of like Caitlin, but to a lesser degree. Anyways I liked the references to "To Kill a Mockingbird" and thought the author did a nice job with the characters of Kaitlin and her father. I think she did a nice job describing accurately the inner thinking of a youngster with
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Oct 09, 2011
Junemorris
rated it:
SUMMARY: Caitlin is an eleven year old who suffers from Asbergers. Everything is black and white in her world. This black and white causes issues in the real world. Her brother Devon was her go-to-guy to help her be more 'normal'. He was her best friend, her only friend. He was successful in boy scouts, and kept the family going. He would explain the not so black and white things to her until his death, and then Caitlin is lost. She doesn't know how to greave. Her father is unable to hel
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Sep 16, 2011
Bethany
rated it:
This was the first book I have ever read about Asbergers, and I am absolutely astounded by the content. First of all, this is written in the first person. The viewpoint is remarkably clear and poignant, and is especially thought-provoking because the feelings and ideas portrayed are so incredibly unique to this character. I have never read a book that made me identify so well with a character with special needs; all of the others I have read are obviously the results of careful research and stud
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Jul 26, 2011
Lori
rated it:
Not too long ago, my daughter was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder but on the General spectrum. While the character of Caitlyn has Asperger's she was able to help me understand what might go on in my own child's mind when it comes to day to day activities, making friends and issues with situations never being gray, only black and white. For example, when Caitlyn is asked what she "wants" for her birthday, she tells her father she wants her brother to take her shopping. The
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Jul 20, 2011
Anne
rated it:
I listened to Angela Jayne Rogers' excellent audio portrayal of protagonist, Caitlin Smith’s journey to healing. I am often unable to connect well to fictional people on the Autism spectrum, but I felt strongly connected to this fifth grader as she navigated social situations, sadness at home, missing her brother, making sense of her world since “the day our life fell apart.” Rogers’ performance gave Caitlin a nice blend of annoying, earnest and loveable. I liked seeing a father torn apart by gr
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Jun 27, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
I read this book as part of a linguistics class. This book was written from the perspective of a little girl who is autistic. The author was inspired by the Virginia Tech shootings. In the story her brother was a few years older than her and was in middle school. There was a shooting at the middle school and he was one of the children shot. The children's mother died of cancer approximately one year before the shooting. The father is going through a process of grief and is trying to unders
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Jun 26, 2011
Lauren
rated it:
From the moment we are born, we begin learning. We watch the adults around us and mimic their actions and, slowly but surely, start to get the hang of the basics--sitting up, crawling, walking, talking. There is a whole other set of skills that most of us pick up naturally, not really having to consciously learn or practice them--the skill of recognizing when someone is angry, the skill of seeing that a friend is sad and offering them comfort. But did you ever think of what it would be like if y
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Jun 22, 2011
The book can be used in a regular education class. The book is an easy read. Mockingbird has many themes, which include bullying, closure, communication, and acceptance. The story is told from the little’s point of view; she has Aspersers syndrome. She describes her life at school and at home.
Caitlin needs her personal space, does not understand people, and people have a hard time understanding her. Her counselor is always encouraging her to make friends but she is reluctant. She likes More...
Caitlin needs her personal space, does not understand people, and people have a hard time understanding her. Her counselor is always encouraging her to make friends but she is reluctant. She likes More...
Jun 21, 2011
T.
rated it:
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine is about an 11-year old girl who has Asperger’s syndrome. She is very smart and has a passion for words. Her vocabulary usage and understanding of vocabulary are extensive. She also loves reading, adding to her dictionary. To add to that, she has an amazing ability to draw and when she is not adding her dictionary, she is drawing. However, it is very hard for Caitlin to communicate effectively because she does not know how to express her own feelings or read o
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Jun 20, 2011
Alana
rated it:
This has everything you could want from a children's book. Dead mom? Check. Art/craft project that mirrors the protagonist's emotional growth? Check. That good 'ol protestant work ethic will get us through any problem!
Initially, I thought, hey, this book will really appeal to the two kids with autism who have lost a family member in a school shooting. Perhaps this is a larger segment of our population than I think, though. Erskine also makes a valid point that ignoring the problems tha More...
Initially, I thought, hey, this book will really appeal to the two kids with autism who have lost a family member in a school shooting. Perhaps this is a larger segment of our population than I think, though. Erskine also makes a valid point that ignoring the problems tha More...
May 27, 2011
Sophia
rated it:
This book was an amazing, touching example of Asperger's, grief, and much, much more.
Caitlin, the main character, is 10 years old and has Asperger's syndrome. Most of the time Caitlin doesn't Get It. She tries to Talk About It with her counselor Mrs. Brooks, but nobody understands her like Devon did.
Devon, Caitlin's much loved older brother, lovingly nicknamed her Scout after his favorite book, To Kill a Mockingbird. Parellals to this classic literature appear, Devon as Jem, Caitlin More...
Caitlin, the main character, is 10 years old and has Asperger's syndrome. Most of the time Caitlin doesn't Get It. She tries to Talk About It with her counselor Mrs. Brooks, but nobody understands her like Devon did.
Devon, Caitlin's much loved older brother, lovingly nicknamed her Scout after his favorite book, To Kill a Mockingbird. Parellals to this classic literature appear, Devon as Jem, Caitlin More...
