Book Review of The Reason I Jump

[Maddie]

I read “The Reason I Jump”, which is an autobiography by Naoki Higashida. Personally, I found the book inspiring. Higashida is twenty-three years old with autism, and he was able to accomplish not only writing his own autobiography at the age of thirteen, but many other pieces of literature throughout his life. Each chapter of this book starts out with a small story, and then Higashida goes on to answer seven to ten questions about his life with autism. This book also includes pictures, which really appeals to a wide variety of an audience. These pictures include paintings, and the language keyboard Higashida uses to communicate. The introduction of this book is written by David Mitchell, who translated the book from its original japanese to english, with the help of his wife. He describes his struggle to find a book to help him and his wife understand how to take care of their own autistic son when they came across this book and it changed their lives. At the end of the book,there is an excerpt from one of Higashida’s other works of fiction, “I’m Right Here”.
This book is full of strengths, and very few weaknesses. Really the only weakness is that some of the questions asked and the answers given are repetitive. Many if the same points, while good points, are made three or four times throughout the book. However, I was amazed at how cohesive and elaborate this book is, considering it was written by an autistic thirteen year old. The type of language used is what I would expect from an adult with many books, not a child. Another one of the book’s major strengths is how eye opening it is. We as the readers get to experience life the way Higashida does, through his enlightening answers. Overall, the book is very easy to read, is laid out very well, and is a worthwhile read, especially to anyone that knows somebody with autism. Hands down, I would highly recommend this book, simply because it is so touching and heartfelt, and it also offers a new perspective on life. After all, Higashida says that “...I’ve learned that every human being, with or without disabilities, needs to strive to do their best, and by striving for happiness you will arrive at happiness” (Higashida 59).