Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse

by Susan Vaught

“Edgar-winning Vaught, a neuropsychologist, has both personal and professional experience to draw on in crafting a narrator who is admirably smart and resilient despite an ‘itchy’ brain and a compulsion to count things.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Deeply smart and considerate.” — BCCB
“An absorbing mystery.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A strong addition to help diversify realistic fiction collections to include neuroatypical characters and heroines.” — School Library Journal

In this Edgar Award–winning novel by mystery superstar Susan Vaught, Jesse is on the case when money goes missing from the library and her dad is looking like the #1 suspect.

I could see the big inside of my Sam-Sam. I had been training him for 252 days with mini tennis balls and pieces of bacon, just to prove to Dad and Mom and Aunt Gus and the whole world that a tiny, fluffy dog could do big things if he wanted to. I think my little dog always knew he could be a hero.

I just wonder if he knew about me.

When the cops show up at Jesse’s house and arrest her dad, she figures out in a hurry that he’s the #1 suspect in the missing library fund money case. With the help of her (first and only) friend Springer, she rounds up suspects (leading to a nasty confrontation with three notorious school bullies) and asks a lot of questions. But she can’t shake the feeling that she isn’t exactly cut out for being a crime-solving hero. Jesse has a neuro-processing disorder, which means that she’s “on the spectrum or whatever.” As she explains it, “I get stuck on lots of stuff, like words and phrases and numbers and smells and pictures and song lines and what time stuff is supposed to happen.” But when a tornado strikes her small town, Jesse is given the opportunity to show what she's really made of—and help her dad.

Told with the true-as-life voice Susan Vaught is known for, this mystery will have you rooting for Jesse and her trusty Pomeranian, Sam-Sam.

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Realistic Fiction, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Fiction, Contemporary, Childrens

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 14, 2019

About the author

Website: http://susanvaught.com


astrology sign: Libra

favorite book: Harry Potter (all of them) and His Dark Materials
(all of those, too)

favorite song:I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab for Cutie

current pet total:12 if you don't count the chickens, peafowl,
turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons, or guineas.

names of my schools:
Vanderbilt University (MS, Ph.D.)
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (BA)
Germantown High School (Germantown, TN 9th-12th)
Germantown Middle School (Germantown, TN 8th)
Can't Remember, but the mascot was a purple dragon (Sandy Springs/Atlanta Georgia, 7th)
Green Street Elementary (Tupelo, MS 6th) Frances Patterson was a very cool teacher there. I write because of her.
Pierce Street Elementary (Tupelo, MS 3rd-5th)
Can't Remember, but it was big (Corinth, MS, 2nd)
Oxford Elementary (Oxford, MS, K-1st)
University of Mississippi (Day Care, Playschool)

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why do I think this book is amazing? 1) A neurodivergent MC who has a strong voice and kicks some bully patootie. 2) A pint-sized Pomeranian with some serious skills. 3) A budding friendship with Springer who we can all learn from. 4) Parents (and an aunt) who love and support appropriately AND a parent actively serving overseas. 5) A believable bully storyline with adults who step in appropriately. 6) A mystery! 7) OBWIGW. What the heck is OBWIGW? It's a secret. Guess you will have to read the book and find out.

Seriously, I was reading this book and thinking it was a solid 4-star book. By the end, though, after seeing all of the parts come together in believable and beautiful ways I put away my tissues to write this review. Happy Veteran's Day!

[Matthew Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. The characters were nuanced and realistic, and I thought that Jesse, the main character, was a wonderful depiction of a person who is "on the spectrum, or whatever."

I loved the plot, and it actually moved back and forth between two timelines, the present, and the previous week. It was very smooth, and not confusing.

I especially loved the beautiful way Jesse's family interacted with her. (I'm kind of a sucker for great parenting in middle grade and young adult books.)

I highly recommend this for people who are interested in neurodiversity, action, strong, resilient girl characters, excellent friendships, excellent family dynamics, and mysteries.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can readers figure out who stole money from the school library fund before amateur detective Jesse and her new friend Springer do? With just enough danger, suspense and a slew of suspects, it kept me turning the pages to see who did it.

[Cee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what I was going to get with this book, but I can say I am glad I requested it and glad I read it. This is one of those books that will be overlooked by people and it need more recognition than what it is getting. 

I was such a fan of the characters. I didn't realize going into this that Jesse was going to be on the spectrum and I can't speak to the realistic-ness of her character, but I thought she was done brilliantly. Jesse is such a great character, with strength and a thirst for justice within her. She's blamed for things going wrong, and continues to persevere. I liked that her mother is the soldier abroad-- it felt like a nice flip of the usual and something that many families will be able to relate to. There is also a great friendship shared here too which I think many people will enjoy.

As for the mystery, the bad guys aren't completely obvious... or at least the entirety of the crime. Even the villains here have layers. Of course, I can't truly sympathise with the bullies. I do like that there are consequences at the end of the book for the wrong doers. A really good happy ending. 

The book is told in two timelines, the flashbacks might be confusing to some of the younger readers, but the clearly labeled days and times at the chapter heads will be (and were to me) a big help. 

This is a book I will be recommending to many, many readers. If you like mysteries and contemporary reads with strong main characters, cute dogs, and good family relations shown, this is a book you should try! 

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books with neurodiverse characters, so this was such an amazing experience for me, as well as my neurodiverse child that I read it with. The only thing we didn't care for, more so her, was the time line flipping back and forth. It made it harder for her to keep track of what was happening, so the only thing I would suggest (not like authors read this, but if you do :D) is to write it sequentially, as some of the ND crowd struggle with the back and forth.

Other than this, we both loved the story of Jesse, how she looked at the world differently, how it really captured our outlook and perspectives. Not all ND people are the same, just like not all NT people are, but I loved how detailed the author was in showing the potential stims or sensory overloads we may experience.

I really loved how Jesse NEVER let it define her. She may have had moments of weakness where she thought about surrendering, giving up, giving in, but with the support of her friends and family, and believing in herself, Jesse picked herself up and tried again.

I know Jesse may be a fictional character, but I am so proud of her, and I was honored to get to know her story ❤

[Erin H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if I can really express how much I loved this book. I loved the neurodivergent characters, and the struggles they faced with bullies, friendship, family, and themselves. Be sure to read the author's note at the end too. It gives me hope for diversity among future literary characters.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow. I loved this #ownvoices book for so many reasons. The characters are awesome, and felt "real" to me--both the adults and the kids. (Although being neurotypical I can't speak to the accuracy of what goes on in Jesse's head, but I trust that the author based her honestly her own experiences). I've also spent my share of time in small southern towns and the social aspects of the story clicked with what I've experienced.
This would make a fantastic read-aloud in 4th or 5th grade, maybe even 3rd with the right class. I've already recommended it to one teacher and can't wait to push it to others.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book love love love it. I really like all the information about autism. And like the real life feeling of a girl that age and how she thinks inside I love it. I can’t stop thinking about it. I thought I knew a lot about it already. I will say I gave it four stars because I do not think it is appropriate for fourth or fifth grade I think it’s a little too deep for that. That age should be reading a little lighter novels.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a satisfying mystery for middle grade readers.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The flashbacks are going to confuse my students but I do love Jesse and think they will too!

[Shadoshard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book, and the characters were well thought out and relatable - there were only a few things that caught me. Some of the things Jesse said (though very few) seemed off character for a child on the spectrum - or even a child that age. But other than that, it was a spirited read, even for a grown up on the spectrum (because much of the time, she didn't seem different to me at all).

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adult rating: 3 stars
Kid rating: 2 stars

First and foremost this is a book about bullying. Jesse is on the autism spectrum which makes her a target for a trio of bullies she refers to as the cockroaches. They are relentless, but Jesse is tough and usually defends herself. Springer is a new kid at school. He's not tough, so when he talks to Jesse, he becomes a target by default.

Jesse's mom is deployed so her teacher-father is extra important to her. When he gets arrested for suspicion of stealing the library fund money, Jesse and Springer hop into investigative mode to clear him. They compile a list of suspects including administrators, bullies and some not so great parents. Just as they are getting close to figuring it out, a tornado hits, and all Jesse cares about is finding her comfort dog Sam-Sam. Sam-Sam surprises everyone by being a great search and rescue dog. All along Jesse had been trying to train him to sniff out bombs. Moral: you can't make someone be who they are not, but you can help them find who they are. Everyone has a purpose.

The book's strength is in painting an excellent picture of autism. I found Jesse's character to be authentic and interesting. She yells when she's upset and she doesn't have a filter when it comes to conversations. I like that she has a supportive family and a good friend. Unfortunately, books about kids who struggle with something which makes them different always have bullies. These bullies are mean as snakes, in other words, well characterized.

My biggest problem was the back and forth between pre-tornado and post tornado plot. As a writer, it takes more effort to do that, but I'm not sure it was worth it. Two plots I had to constantly switch between. Definitely created a disconnect for me and the tornado part wasn't as believable. The title makes it seem like Sam-Sam the dog is a major character. He is not.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse by Susan Vaught, 304 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2019. $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Jesse is on the autism spectrum which makes her a target for a trio of relentless bullies she refers to as the cockroaches. Her dog Sam-Sam is her comfort animal. Springer is the shy, new kid and Jesse’s best friend. When Jesse’s dad, a high school teacher, is accused of stealing the library fund, she and Springer begin an investigation to clear his name. During their investigation, a tornado hits town, leveling their neighborhood. Jesse becomes obsessed with finding her dog and learns that he has abilities she never knew, just like people with disabilities.

The biggest problem with this book is the back and forth between the days leading up to the tornado and the day of the tornado itself. It’s confusing. It tries to bring two unrelated plots together, but it isn’t successful. The story would have been stronger without the tornado angle. The books best attribute is the accurate depiction of Jesse’s autistic character, especially her lack of filter and uncontrollable outbursts. There are some morals as well, such as don’t try to be who you are not. All in all, there are better books about autism that kids will find more readable.

Reviewer: Valerie McEnroe, MLIS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Stella Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so glad that one of my friends recommended this book to me. I don’t read as much YA as I should but this book has been amazing. There needs to be more books with autistic female characters.

In Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse you have you’re typical adolescent girl, her Pomeranian dog, and her best friend. However, the typical girl (Jesse with an E) is also “on the spectrum- or whatever”. The book talks about her typical days of school and the trials she has because of her autism. She doesn’t let bullies stand in her way. She’s sets out on a mission to save the world and the adventure is quite a whirlwind.

This book was an interesting read and I couldn’t put it down. I know 9-13 year olds will feel the same way. Amazing book.

[Stephanie Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this one!

I picked it up for Middle Grade March 2023 as it fulfilled the Neurodivergent character prompt and I’m so happy I did. Love the voice that Jesse brings with her first person narration. Great mystery elements as well as the focus on friendship, family and self acceptance. I like how there’s a weather “apocalypse,” but also the fact her dad gets arrested is also an “apocalypse” to her.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book. Mystery, an excellent cast of characters, an freaking awesome great-aunt (loving the new trend of Adults Aren't Awful in kids' books lately), and a dog that turns out to be a Search and Rescue dog. And a tornado. Great book.
I wish the book had been a little more linear as the jumping back and forth between time frames was slightly distracting to me, but it was still good.

[Anthony Conty · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse” continues a positive trend of neurodiversity in middle-grade literature. Author Susan Vaught has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Mental Retardation and appreciates the awkwardness of being different in junior high. Navigating every day serves as a challenge for some. Now, imagine young Jesse having to watch people drag her father away in handcuffs while her mother does a tour in Iraq.
I initially scoffed at another protagonist “on the spectrum,” but Vaught writes in the first person to provide us with a unique perspective. When Jesse meets a similar boy, she introduces him to rocking chairs and weighted blankets in a scene that screams happiness and camaraderie. When she quotes things that she has counted and tallied, it comes as a skill instead of a compulsion.
Jesse embarks upon a fact-finding mission, and you will recognize the amateurish kid detective theme from numerous other works. Still, here we have a very non-traditional thinker at work. As the story goes back and forth between the alleged theft and a tornado a week later, we see an overwhelmed little girl who does not realize why some inferences do not come naturally to her.
We think that we know more about the Autistic community than we probably do, so the average reader may not predict how Jesse will react to the legal case or the weather emergency. I had no problem relating to her, though. As a teacher, I saw her detective work as highly inappropriate, but the author provides enough of a view into Jesse’s brain to see what she constitutes as right and just.
Middle-grade literature should not entertain adults, but somehow it does. In this instance, you almost root for the adults and adolescents alike in their search for justice and survival. You come for the adventure and stay for the personalities. You see a good dose of empathy from the parents toward children who process things differently. If you love someone with Autism, read this with your kid immediately.
Note: I have no idea how those of you overseas in the military with your families here do it, but there is a scene with Jesse and her mother on Skype that is one of the most touching things I have read in a long time.

[Laura Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this fabulous mystery by #SusanVaught; thanks to the YSBR MA blog for the free review copy to share with #Kidlitexchange! This book is our May 14.
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Jesse is frequently bullied at school by a pack of kids who call her Messy Jesse. She mostly manages to ignore them and spends most of her free time in her fort in the forest with her Pomeranian, Sam-Sam, whom she's training to be a bomb sniffing dog like her mother's dog in Afghanistan. Then Jesse makes what appears to be her first friend ever, Springer, who is large (and bullied himself), but also a pacifist who refuses to fight back. .
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When the library fund money goes missing at school, her father is arrested since he was in charge of the funds. Jesse knows he's innocent and recruits Springer to help solve the mystery of the missing money. Jesse isn't neurotypical, which means she notices things other people don't and she's doggedly persistent. Her ASD also means that she has trouble controlling her emotions and can be like a tornado of feelings, causing destruction wherever she goes. When a real tornado hits, Jesse (and Sam-Sam!) get a chance to "handle" things, save the day and prove their worth.
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I can't think of another book in my library that's written by a neurodivergent author from the perspective of a neurodivergent character. Jesse shows growth in the course of the book as she navigates her first friendship with Springer. Springer is a character readers are sure to love; he quickly discovers how to best help Jesse calm down and to say "touch coming" to warn her of impending physical contact. .
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This is more than just a book about a kid on the spectrum, however; the mystery is well-plotted and the characters are fully imagined including flawed adults. Jesse herself is quirky, but also funny, smart, brave and kind. .
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As the mother of a neurodivergent child, I appreciate the realistic portrayal of a complex character who happens to be on the spectrum. ❤️
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#librariansofinstagram #librariesofinstagram #meandsamsamhandletheapocalypse #mglit #mgbooks #ilovemg #bookreview #mystery

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a 3.5 for me. While it took me a bit of time to get into the story and I found the flashbacks rather annoying at times, I still liked Jesse Broadview and her sweet Pomeranian, Sam-Sam. Jesse's father has been accused of taking money from the library fund, and Jesse is determined to figure out who's to blame and to clear his name. Jesse's on the autism spectrum, and her quirks and different ways of thinking and behaving have made her the butt of some jokes and the target of three of her classmates who delight in calling her Messy Jesse. When she befriends Springer, a recent transplant to Avery, Kentucky, where the story is set, the two of them seem to have a lot in common and set up a secret detective agency. The bullying escalates even as the two friends come closer to figuring out who took that money. Jesse's mother is deployed in Iraq with Shotgun, her bomb-detecting dog, and she provides plenty of support through Skype. The fact that Sam-Sam rises to heroic status during a tornado allows readers to see that heroes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and that Sam and Springer are also heroes in their own ways. There are plenty of things that the author gets right here--the bullying and the response to it, parts of Jesse's behavior that set her apart from others, and her worries about being broken in some way, and her discomfort with touches and focusing on counting--but I questioned whether a friendship between her and Springer could have flourished so easily and how he seemed to know instinctively how to treat her. Still, this one is worth reading, simply because it adds to the canon of dis/ability literature and portrays a fairly self-aware girl who isn't interested in changing to fit someone else's mold or idea of what is appropriate. If it's a bit dramatic and drawn out, then it's easy to forgive those failings and enjoy the characters as they make their way in a world that often seems less than welcoming to anyone deemed different. The grammar Nazi in me flinches every time I see that title, though: ME and Sam-Sam. Yikes!

[Kate Waggoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

@kidlitexchange #partner

Thank you to @simonkids and #SusanVaught for sharing an advance review copy of Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse with the #kidlitexchange network. This book was released in May 2019.

Jesse is bullied at school for being weird and is often called Messy Jesse. For the most part, she is able to ignore the bullying but, occasionally, her anger and instincts kick in and she protects herself when provoked. Her best friend, Springer, is big for his age, new to town, and friends with Jesse, so he is also bullied. Unlike Jesse, he is a pacifist and refuses to fight back. After a significant amount of cash, donated to the library fund, goes missing from Jesse's father's desk, he is arrested and Jesse is determined to discover the real culprit. Springer helps her track down, observe, and question suspects. When she's not being a detective, Jesse is training her pomeranian, Sam-Sam, to be a bomb sniffing dog like her mom's dog, Shotgun. Her mother is a soldier and is currently in Mosul. Sam-Sam, however, never really seems to take to the training. Just when Jesse begins to think things are falling into place and she's close to solving the case of the missing money, the apocalypse hits her town.

There is so much to love about this book. First, the protagonist is neurodiverse and the book is written by a neurodiverse author. Jesse's struggles are real and I think it is incredibly important for neurodiverse readers to have characters (specifically protagonists) in books to relate to. This book has important messages about acceptance, bullying, and not underestimating your capabilities. I also loved that the story is told in through two timelines: pre- and post-apocalypse. The chapters alternating giving depth to character's motivations and building suspense (especially because many of the post-apocalypse chapters end on cliffhangers). This book was fun, intriguing, and uplifting. I can't wait to share it with my students.

[Jennybeast · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while to pick this one up, and then I thought it was just a solid book -- and then I found that I wanted to know what happened and that I needed to stay up late to finish it -- and then I realized that it was an amazing book.

Jesse has a great voice and Springer is a fantastic friend, and it's really something special to read about their adventures. Loved: neurodivergent main character, really spectacular allyship on both sides of a friendship, parent serving overseas, a solid mystery, an impatient but super loving and supportive family, and a community coming together in the wake of a tornado. I also really appreciate how this story deals with bullying -- there's a lot of it, it escalates. Jesse fights back, and asks for help, and the adults are responsive (to a point) and it still doesn't stop. And she is a violent element in her own defense and is not strongly censured for that -- which is astonishing and refreshing, and not how these stories are usually told. Her parents are great advocates, and it does get resolved in the end, but there's just this level of pervasive realism with regards to the bullying (it's worse than people know) and also these great moments of unexpected assistance, and mostly its just such a relief to see her be believed.

I also really loved seeing the author's note in the end, talking about her own experiences and what she brought to this book.

[Ben Firetag · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Best Juvenile Edgar winning book about a girl, Jesse (with an 'e'), with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who wants to save her father from going to jail over money stolen from his desk at school. Sam-Sam is her dog who provides emotional support. Like many kids with ASD, she is shunned, bullied and generally treated badly by other students and even some of the adults at school. Her mother is away in Iraq for the Army and has another dog who can sniff out bombs. Jesse tries to train Sam-Sam to find treats hidden in plastic containers, but that ongoing project hasn't gone very far. She gains a new friend, who is also picked-on because he won't hit. Between the two of them, they start their own detective agency. How will they deal with the local bullies and adults with other problems? Will they solve the mystery of the theft in time to keep Jesse's father from going to jail? And how will they deal with the apocalypse of a tornado?
This is a wonderful read, teaching about kids with ASD and how they see and handle the world in all its weirdness.

[Alexa Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Vaught has a way with telling stories about kids who are often seen as weird or a little off. Jesse is on the spectrum and she has some very specific needs. But everything changes when her dad is accused of stealing money from the library fund he raises money for. Things seem bad. Fortunately, she befriends Springer who immediately understands her and she gets him too. They decide to start investigating together and lo and behold, their investigation bears fruit!

The book flips back and forth between their investigation and the apocalypse mentioned (which is a very large storm). That climax is very rewarding, and I think adult readers will be surprised at how effective Jesse and Springer are at solving mysteries and helping people. But I don't think kids will be surprised, as they are great characters you can definitely believe in.

Jesse's mom is a soldier who is currently on a tour of duty. That relationship is really great to see, too.

[Adam Sequoyah · Rating 2 out of 5]

It could have gotten 3 stars for this review but for 2 things:
1) I thought this was a sort of supernatural story, but the spirally business on the cover is just a tornado.
2) The emphasis on someone's experience on the autism spectrum was a bit overwhelming. And generally just not enjoyable.

Not that the latter was done poorly. I feel like it described what it can be like to be so far on the spectrum. I just didn't expect it going in. It felt like the book worked better as a textbook on the topic, through a fictional experience, rather than a novel providing an enjoyable read.

The first half of the book was pretty slow, and I almost abandoned it out of boredom. (Actually, I did abandon it, if you can count it "abandoning" to stop reading something and put it on the return-to-library shelf but later decide to keep reading.) The second half had better pacing, and the story concluded with satisfaction.

MPA ratings: PG for thematic material

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular novel. It was a bit hard for me to follow the story initially with the story beginning the day of the tornado and then flashing back to a week before when the author properly introduces all of the characters. I truly, with all of my heart, hope there are not bullies in this world as awful as Jerkface and the Cockroaches. Especially against kids who are on the spectrum. Nor should there be principals as weak and ineffective as Ms. Jorgensen. Once this story got started, I could not put it down. Especially when the author kept leaving the reader in the lurch with the flash forwards and not knowing if Jesse found Sam-Sam. Lots of excellent dialogue and reflection on being on the autism spectrum and I appreciated the Author's Note at the end talking about her own experience, that of her son and of other authors with autism.

[Jillian Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Depending on where I was in this book I would have rated this one anywhere from a two to a five. Luckily, the ending was great!

Strengths: It’s a mystery. I love a good mystery. Springer is an awesome friend! He takes Jesse from meltdown to calm better than anyone. The way Jesse’s dad and aunt talk to each other made me laugh. Jesse’s mom and her unwavering belief in Jesse. Sam-Sam, the unsuccessful treat sniffing dog! Finding out Sam-Sam’s real talent

Weaknesses: The first chapter made me feel like I started the book in the middle... but that was the point because then the book flashes back. Told in alternating times (but all within a week) it was confusing at first. (The author did a great job leaving cliffhangers)!!

Overall a good read and the author did a great job of illustrating Jesse’s autism differences.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent contemporary YA novel set in a small Appalachia town, with an autistic protagonist trying to solve a crime and clear her father’s name, in the middle of school dramas and rivalries. I particularly like the fact that the author doesn’t shy away from illuminating the bullying and cruelty that can be a part of middle school and high school, while also displaying neurotypical kids and adults who treat the protagonist kindly and with understanding. And it has a structure that jumps back and forth across one tumultuous week in a way that may be meant to illustrate the way that the protagonist’s brain works (seeing patterns, connecting plot threads, but not always in an obviously linear fashion), but also works to drive reader curiosity and interest.

[EJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO! GOOD! Honestly I was on the verge of tearing up every time someone asked Jesse if they could touch her or warned her when touch was imminent. Definite shades of Emma Jean Lazarus but even more thoughtful and thought provoking and I WOULD kill a man for Springer, FYI. I also liked how Jesse and Springer were both like, okay yeah the bullies might have hard things going on but also: they're bullies and they suck. Oh and! ENORMOUS gender energies coming from both Jesse and Springer. Especially Springer.

Oh and I forgot to say! The author is neurodivergent and so is her son AND she's in a wlw relationship so score one for the gays folks.

[Xander Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little distracted by the timeline presentation in the book (constantly jumping back and forth pre or post "the train coming") as I regularly needed to remind myself what was happening as we entered the specific moments. With that said, I did feel like this was a good presentation of a young character on the spectrum. It was easy to root for her even as we also witnessed the (perhaps uncomfortable) moments that could be described as diverting from typical behavior. And what an incredible friendship with Springer--seriously, almost to the point of unbelievability but so fully satisfying.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm conflicted. The positives are BIG positives: an autistic main character who is unquestionably the story's hero, along with a rare and elusive set of healthy, loving parent characters. But the negatives really grated: one-dimensional bully villains, a cast of truly unrealistic school personnel, an unnecessary time- jumping format, and a mystery that reads like a Scooby-Doo episode all the way to the reveal. I'll for sure recommend it to kids based on the neurodiversity alone - that's huge - but I wish the rest of the book delivered as well.