Once again, Sy Montgomery uses her gift with words to explore a fascinating subject--in this case, autism and Temple Grandin, who may be one of the best known individuals with autism. In thirteen chapters, the author describes Grandin's growing up years and her mother's determination to find the right school for her daughter while her father wanted her institutionalized. Deftly, Montgomery finds the words to describe how Temple experiences her world, often seeing highly detailed images rather than simple outlines. She defines and characterizes autism and describes Temple's struggles to be respected for her abilities and not limited by what some might term her "disabilities." She includes comments from Temple's classmates and describes some of her successful educational experiences as well as how she was teased and bullied by classmates as she grew older. The book is filled with mementoes from Grandin's life, including photographs, awards, and blueprints of the animal-friendly livestock handling systems she has designed, many of which are now used in stockyards across the world. Because Temple connects with animals such as cattle on such a deep level, she understands what makes them nervous, and considers those fears when working on her designs. The author works hard to balance the controversial topic of using animals for food, and Grandin points out that since so many humans rely on animals for food, the least we can do is to allow them to die with dignity. I would have liked to know more about she made the transition from school into the world of work and what sorts of relationships she develops with others. What a fascinating person she is! I want to know even more.