Fourteen-year-old Nathaniel Clark lives in two worlds—the outside world of his family and friends and his own, special, inside Aspie world, where h...
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Oct 11, 2011
Angela
rated it: 
Mindblind was beyond my expectations of any book with a genius. I expected Mindblind to be similar to Artemis Fowl, minus the fairies and Butler, but it was not. Ms. Jennifer Roy managed to make Mindblind similar, yet completely different from the Artemis Fowl series.
The similarities are quite obvious. Nathaniel and Artemis are obnoxious know-it-all brats who are trying to find their own place in the world. Well, Nathaniel is and Artemis has already somewhat found his own place. Natha More...
The similarities are quite obvious. Nathaniel and Artemis are obnoxious know-it-all brats who are trying to find their own place in the world. Well, Nathaniel is and Artemis has already somewhat found his own place. Natha More...
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Oct 03, 2011
Ilsa
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I’m not a disorder-of-the-month kind of reader, and I normally steer clear of books that delve into areas with which I have a lot of familiarity. This book caught my eye, though–in an airport Hudson News, no less (I live to see my books in airports someday…), and I’m glad I gave into my impulse to pick it up. 14-yo Nathaniel has Asperger’s, but he’s a high-functioning “Aspie,” who orders his world with formulas. Oh, and did I mention that he’s a genius? Before you roll your eyes, lighten up a li
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Aug 25, 2011
Laurie
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Nathaniel Clark is fourteen and a college graduate taking a year off before graduate school. He has an off the charts IQ, taught himself Mandarin Chinese when he was four, and is on the ‘autistic end of Asperger’s’. He spends a lot of time happily alone – he was home schooled – but has in the flesh friends. He’s in a band. And he’s trying to become a genius, because, despite his high IQ, he can’t be a genius until he contributes something to society.
This book takes him through some re More...
This book takes him through some re More...
Aug 19, 2011
Talyn
rated it: 
Loved this book. Having Asperger's myself, I could relate to everything Nathanial went through. The desire to be a genius, the taking metaphors and expressions seriously, obsession with various things, excelling in certain places but failing in others (he is super adept in math, I in English and Art), echoing other peoples' words, and mental shutdowns when someone [inadvertantly] threatens to move things around, or touch their things, or meddle with it in any way (I once almost had -what I think
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May 02, 2011
Sarah
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Open File:C\MyFiles\Mindblind.avi (Date4/8/11)
First, from a personal standpoint, I enjoyed this book for its revalations about life with Asperger's Syndrome. Like other books in this genre (Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night-Time, House Rules, Rules) I am fascinated by the workings of the mind of a child who functions on such a different level than myself. But I also find having read this book that there are so many similarities between an Aspie and myself--what's different is More...
First, from a personal standpoint, I enjoyed this book for its revalations about life with Asperger's Syndrome. Like other books in this genre (Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night-Time, House Rules, Rules) I am fascinated by the workings of the mind of a child who functions on such a different level than myself. But I also find having read this book that there are so many similarities between an Aspie and myself--what's different is More...
Mar 25, 2011
Abby
rated it: 
For Nathaniel, a 14-year-old with Asperger's Syndrome, life can be confusing, like when he's trying to figure out how he feels about his friend Jessa or when he's dealing with his dad (who does NOT understand about Asperger's). But there are lot of things Nathaniel's good at, like playing the keyboards in the band he's formed with his friends and complex mathematic computations. When Nathaniel is turned down from a prestigious school for geniuses, he begins to wonder how he can make his mark o
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Feb 08, 2011
Sarah
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Not surprisingly, since Mark Haddon's Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time exploded autism spectrum fiction into popular consciousness, a flood of teen first person fiction titles along the same themes have saturated the publishing industry. Mindblind diligently attempts to break down stereotypes of Asperger's, but it's this very diligence that overwhelms what could have been a charming story. Fourteen year-old Nathaniel Clark spoke fluent Mandarin Chinese by the time he was four, kno
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Jan 17, 2011
Jan
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Seriously, another book about a character with Asperger's. Sigh. This novel, by Jennifer Roy, features a protagonist who is an “aspie” on the “autistic end,” as he describes himself. Nathaniel is fifteen and he has managed fairly well to negotiate the two worlds in which he lives: the outside world of people and social expectations and his inside world where he can be himself and not have to worry about fitting in or making any social faux pas. Nathaniel has an extremely high IQ and is preo
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Nov 28, 2010
Creative
rated it:
Nathaniel wants to be a genius. Everyone says he already is (except for his father who thinks the whole autistic/genius thing is an excuse, and that Nathan just needs to grow up). But Nathaniel knows that to be a genius, you need to accomplish something great--and after being turned down from a graduate school for kids like him, he knows he's not a genius yet. And this is one problem Nathan doesn't have a formula for. But maybe what Nathan really needs to solve his genius problem is the people a
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Mar 08, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
An upfront "confession": I took Jennifer off the slush pile and she wrote her first (nonfiction) book for me, so I am biased in her favor. And I'm acknowledged in the book.
That aside, I was afraid I wouldn't like this as much as "Yellow Star," which is astonishing.
No fears. I loved it, especially the first half, which is a near-perfect exposition of a high-functioning Asperger kid's world. Near-perfect because the father may be just a tad too mean and More...
That aside, I was afraid I wouldn't like this as much as "Yellow Star," which is astonishing.
No fears. I loved it, especially the first half, which is a near-perfect exposition of a high-functioning Asperger kid's world. Near-perfect because the father may be just a tad too mean and More...
Mar 14, 2011
Sherri
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This book is definitely worth reading ... It is written from the perspective of a 14-year-old boy with Aspberger's syndrome (on the spectrum with Autism). It gives wonderful insight into the challenges that people (often called Aspie's) deal with. The book is fresh, new and different because the main character is not like most characters in books ... and it is very educational and informative. I really liked the book because I learned something by reading it.
This book is written for More...
This book is written for More...
Jul 13, 2011
Richmond
rated it:
Esaliy compared to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime because of the protaganists' brains, this book is lighter in tone and definitely geared towards a younger audience. It was an enjoyable read, but nothing mind-blowing.
Summary-Nathaniel is a fourteen-year-old with Asperger’s Syndrome. He views his life in terms of mathematical formulas and can solve a Rubik’s Cube in less than five minutes. However, he is still a typical teenage boy. He is the keyboardist of a More...
Summary-Nathaniel is a fourteen-year-old with Asperger’s Syndrome. He views his life in terms of mathematical formulas and can solve a Rubik’s Cube in less than five minutes. However, he is still a typical teenage boy. He is the keyboardist of a More...
Nov 07, 2011
Ms.Ellis
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What a cool book!
A teenager with Asperger’s is impossible to understand, right? Wrong! Reading this book, written from the perspective of a 16 year old boy with Asperger’s, give so much insight as to what happens in an “Aspie’s” brain. The thought processes, the fears and confusions, even the romantic wonderings…all of it is explained in this easy to read and wonderfully perceptive piece. It’s so good that I know I MUST buy it and add it to my classroom library and there is a very go More...
A teenager with Asperger’s is impossible to understand, right? Wrong! Reading this book, written from the perspective of a 16 year old boy with Asperger’s, give so much insight as to what happens in an “Aspie’s” brain. The thought processes, the fears and confusions, even the romantic wonderings…all of it is explained in this easy to read and wonderfully perceptive piece. It’s so good that I know I MUST buy it and add it to my classroom library and there is a very go More...
Aug 13, 2011
Sherry
rated it:
Do you know what Andy Warhol, Albert Einstein, Jane Austen, Isaac Newton, Charles Schultz, Marie Curie, Thomas Jefferson, and Temple Grandin (she's a contemporary engineer) have in common? If you said Asperger's, then you were correct. All of these famous people are thought to have had this syndrome, which is characterized by a subset of behaviors, anxieties and drives which accompany extreme intelligence and talent, especially for thinking outside the box.
"Mindblind" i More...
"Mindblind" i More...
Nov 06, 2011
Aliza
rated it:
A fictional YA account of a boy genuis with Asperger's syndrome, a type of high-functioning autism, depicts how he thinks, his struggles and triumphs with socializing with friends and especially family as his parents seem to have divorced over his condition (his father does not believe in autism or Asperger's).
The lead character is 14 and in grad school, quirky but funny and seeing the world through his eyes is refreshing. The story is motivated by him wanting to prove he is a genius, More...
The lead character is 14 and in grad school, quirky but funny and seeing the world through his eyes is refreshing. The story is motivated by him wanting to prove he is a genius, More...
Oct 02, 2011
Beth
rated it:
The author shows readers how a brilliant autistic boy struggles to meet the social expectations of those around him--he feels like an outsider and is generally not upset by that, but when some of his peers begin to show how much they appreciate his skills as part of a band they have formed, he begins to wonder if he actually could have several friends . . . maybe even a girlfriend. The father in this story is a very unsympathetic character who seems almost too critical and uncaring to be believ
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Dec 28, 2010
Briony
rated it:
This book appealed to me on the genius aspect. I wanted to see how Roy crafted a boy with Asperger's who struggles to define his genius aptitude while trying to lead a normal life.
I thought that Roy did a great job getting in Nathaniel's emotions and thoughts. I was interested in how he defined genius and how he fit into this concept. I was also interested in Nathaniel's and his father's relationship. What lost my interest was his interaction with his peers. I thought that it was your More...
I thought that Roy did a great job getting in Nathaniel's emotions and thoughts. I was interested in how he defined genius and how he fit into this concept. I was also interested in Nathaniel's and his father's relationship. What lost my interest was his interaction with his peers. I thought that it was your More...
Nov 26, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book. For not knowing too much about Asperger's, it was very eye-opening. While it's a disease that is akin to autism, it's not quite the same in many ways. It was great to see into the mind of Nathaniel and be able to share his thoughts and anxieties. I also liked that the book did not end with all things being solved. In life, not everything goes your way, you need to constantly evolve and that is what Nathaniel did. He didn't quite get Jessa, but he didn't lose her eithe
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Sep 27, 2010
Kate
rated it:
This book would be fantastic paired with Tara Kelly's HARMONIC FEEDBACK - both have main characters with Asperger's Syndrome who are also in bands, and both books do a great job going beyond the stereotype when it comes to portraying a character on the autism spectrum.
MINDBLIND was a terrific glimpse inside the mind of not-quite-genius Nathaniel as he navigates family relationships, friendship, a first romance, and life in a rock and roll band. Great math & science connections, and More...
MINDBLIND was a terrific glimpse inside the mind of not-quite-genius Nathaniel as he navigates family relationships, friendship, a first romance, and life in a rock and roll band. Great math & science connections, and More...
Apr 25, 2011
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
rated it:
Jennifer Roy writes this story, told from the point-of-view of a teenage boy with Asperger's syndrome, from first-hand knowledge, having such a child herself. Just as Jodi Picoult did in House Rules, Roy provides a vivid glimpse into what it's like to have Asperger's. And, as with Picoult's book, it was an eye-opener. The book is difficult to read at times, because what is going on in Nathaniel's mind is so disjointed or manic. But you can also see that Nathaniel is truly brilliant and gifte
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Mar 11, 2011
Alison
rated it:
A fairly good story about Nathaniel, a boy with Asperger's Syndrome. He manages to skirt some cliches, though he usually announces to the reader that he is avoiding said cliches. That gets old fast. Nathaniel's inner world, or N-world as he calls it, was intriguing but not explored enough. The ending tied everything up neatly with a big red bow, but it made me smile. I would reccomend this to fans of Marcelo in the Real World.
Sep 29, 2010
Martha
rated it:
Feels like "a day in the life of" an attractive, genius IQ, young teen boy with Asperger's and a couple of very good friends. No character development necessary - he's got resources and people to help him through his first crush. Accepting that he is a genius just doesn't seem a big deal to me - although it certainly is to him. Sorry, but I just don't care more about him than I do the characters in other books.
May 09, 2011
Cassi
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This book was really cool. I was first intrigued by the falling piano keys on the cover, and thought the story would be dark and gothic, to a point. That wasn't the case AT ALL. Nevertheless, I kept reading, and I really liked the story. I wondered how Nathaniel would become a genius, and what would happen throughout the story. There wasn't a real antagonist, but it was awesome.
Mar 08, 2011
Sumiyya
rated it:
When I first read the inside flap of this book, I had to get it. A book about a boy who istead of wanting to be "normal", he wants to become the true definition of a genious. I hink this is a great book and I definitely give kudos to Jennifer Roy and her talented son who insprired this book. It is a book I would recommend to almost anyone.
Jan 10, 2011
TheSaint
rated it:
Told from the point of view of a teenager with Aperger's Syndrome, Mindblind (I think) truly helps the reader in understanding the issues surrounding the family dynamic and personal difficulties involved.
But the narrative thread with the band and music left me cold, as it always does. "Dancing about architecture."
But the narrative thread with the band and music left me cold, as it always does. "Dancing about architecture."
Jul 19, 2010
Jill
rated it:
This is really a 3/4. The upside (though I'd love to talk to someone much more familiar with Aspbergers first)... loved the way it got me inside Nathaniel's mind and its workings. The downside... though I was happy that everything "works out," it felt a little bit too feel good and tightly wrapped up in the end.
Jul 20, 2011
Rayven
rated it:
Just finished, like, one minute ago. I kinda like this book. (I know, I know. You either like it or you don`t.) So I`ll say I like it! It`s about this 14 year old guy, who has problems...like being an Aspie. He is overly influenced by math. But he really gets a lot of self trust at year fourteen.
Jul 02, 2010
Karin
rated it:
Teen boy Nathaniel navigates high school (friends/school/family/etc) and tries to accomplish something that will qualify him as a genius. Really interesting and funny look at a mathematically gifted "Aspie" who's also a bit of a rock star.
Jun 27, 2011
Beth
rated it:
I liked the way the author incorporated a lot of math into this book. Although the main character's asperger tendencies felt cliche at times, I did begin to see that many of us have some of this syndrome from time to time!
Feb 02, 2012
I think that I have taught a few students whose brains work in this fashion and this provides a new insight into their lives and frustrations. I hope that I am as understanding as the people who surround this young man.
