It's Me, Henry!

January 1, 2022
Henry has always been a bit different from the other kids. He can multiply numbers in his head at warp speed, only refers to plants by their scientific names, is prone to sensory overload, and often misses social cues. His peers sometimes find his behavior frustrating, and when some thoughtless older kids brand him as "weird," he feels crushed: "Nobody understands me. No one! I'm tired of being a kid." Henry finds solace in nature, so when his class takes a field trip to the Botanical Garden--one of his favorite haunts--he's really in his element. The tour guide, Ms. Rose, lets Henry introduce the plants to his classmates, who are impressed by, and grateful for, his knowledge of the vegetable kingdom. Afterward, everyone claps as the teacher presents Henry with a Trifolium repens (ahem, a four-leaf clover) for doing a great job. Deslauriers' sensitive and revealing first-person narrative invites readers into the mind and emotions of a child on the autism spectrum. Despite his challenges, Henry is active, makes friends, and contributes positively at school. Despr�s' softly muted watercolor, gouache, and charcoal illustrations capture the confusion and sadness Henry feels as he navigates an environment he sometimes doesn't understand as well as his happier moments and endearing qualities. Young readers who haven't yet learned about autism may struggle to understand Henry's behavior, particularly given the absence of educational backmatter--a missed opportunity in an otherwise lovely book. A skillful and sympathetic portrayal of neurodivergent children, but context is lacking. (Picture book. 5-9)

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February 1, 2022

Gr 2-4-The author, who has a child on the autism spectrum, writes effectively and poignantly in a first-person narration about Henry, who is fascinated by plants. He is always correct in math, but forgets to raise his hand; he calls his classmate Daisy by her botanical name, and is rebuffed; still, he wonders if the other kids in the class admire how thorough is his knowledge. Henry struggles to connect with kids his own age, and while his differences are not spelled out, readers will likely pick up on it. When his class goes on a field trip to the Botanical Garden, Henry gets a unique opportunity to put his plant knowledge to use. The book has a message that what makes you different can also make you wonderful if you have the right place to express your talents. Unfortunately, the idea that autistic children having hyperfixations that are only beneficial when they can be useful to other people is problematic. In addition, the idea that classmates who have been bullies will change as soon as the bullied one proves helpful is too facile a message. VERDICT With discussion, and some caveats, this honest look at the challenges for children on the spectrum, cheerfully illustrated, may find a place on the shelves.-Katherine Forsman

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