Real

by Carol Cujec, Peyton Goddard Narrated by Rachel L. Jacobs

Overview

Inspired by a true story, Real speaks to all those who've ever felt they didn't belong and reminds listeners that all people are worthy of being included.

My name is Charity. I am thirteen years old. Actually, thirteen years plus eighty-seven days. I love sour gummies and pepperoni pizza. That last part no one knows because I have not spoken a sentence since I was born. Each dawning day, I live in terror of my unpredictable body that no one understands.

Charity may have mad math skills and a near-perfect memory, but with a mouth that can't speak and a body that jumps, rocks, and howls unpredictably, most people incorrectly assume she cannot learn. Charity's brain works differently from most people's because of her autism, but she's still funny, determined, and kind. So why do people treat her like a disease or ignore her like she's invisible?

When Charity's parents enroll her in a public junior high school, she faces her greatest fears. Will kids make fun of her? Will her behavior get her kicked out? Will her million thoughts stay locked in her head forever? With the support of teachers and newfound friends, Charity will have to fight to be treated like a real student.

Editorial Reviews

Children’s Literature Council of Southern California

2022 Outstanding Contribution to Juvenile Fiction Award

Kirkus Reviews

2020-11-27
A nonverbal autistic girl stands up for herself and others after she finds a way to communicate.

Thirteen-year-old Charity Wood has a brilliant mind and a photographic memory but has no way of saying so. Labeled “low-functioning autistic,” she’s relegated to Borden Academy, where students with disabilities are mistreated and their education neglected. When Charity’s supportive parents enroll her in a mainstream school, Charity is introduced to facilitated communication; she types on an iPad keyboard while an aide supports her arm. Charity vows to use her newfound voice to help other students with disabilities, but uncontrollable meltdowns, bullying classmates, and skeptical adults threaten to silence her. Charity’s anger at being infantilized and spoken over is vividly conveyed, as is her frustration with her uncooperative body. Unfortunately, emotion and suspense are blunted by heavy-handed, clichéd characterization—doctors are callous and physically unappealing while special educators are doting and beautiful. Students with Down syndrome are joyful and loving. Occasionally, stilted dialogue perpetuates the trope that autistic people are preternaturally wise or mystical, as when a teacher comments that Charity possesses “the wisdom of many lifetimes.” An afterword explains that the book was inspired by the experiences of co-author Goddard but does not mention facilitated communication’s controversial history. Most characters, including Charity, default to White; there is some diversity in the supporting cast.

Well-meaning but one-dimensional. (Fiction. 9-13)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940176263749
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	02/02/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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