Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World

by Sy Montgomery Narrated by Meredith Mitchell

Overview

When Temple Grandin was born, her parents knew that she was different. It wasn't until years later that she was diagnosed with autism, a brain disorder that makes communication difficult. Today, Dr. Temple Grandin is a brilliant scientist and professor of animal science at Colorado State University. Her world-changing career has revolutionized the livestock industry-each year, half the cattle in the United States are handled in cruelty-free facilities she has designed. She is also a passionate advocate for autism, using her experience to prove that people with this disorder can have “normal” lives.

To achieve this unprecedented success, Temple used a unique ability: she thinks visually, the same way animals do. Because she thinks in pictures, she can see the world as a cow or a dog or a pig might see it. And so she knows that animals raised for food deserve good lives and should be treated with respect. Now she gives them their voices.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

-NYPL 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing, 2012 "A well written, admiring and thought-provoking portrait."—Kirkus   "Montgomery's book not only tells the powerful story of one amazing woman's life journey, but also has potential to help readers understand autistic people and animals."—Horn Book   "It isn't easy to describe how the mind of someone with autism works, but Montgomery's biography effectively breaks the disorder down for a younger audience while introducing the extraordinary life of activist Temple Grandin."—Booklist   "Lively, well-worded narrative...For librarians who struggle to find well-written biographies of women, this is a must-buy."—School Library Journal, starred review —

School Library Journal

Gr 6–8—Montgomery paints a picture of a woman who overcame enormous odds to be highly successful in her chosen career as an animal scientist, designing humane livestock facilities. Although autism can be a devastating diagnosis, Grandin's own words help readers understand why she says her autism adds a dimension to her life that she would not want to be without. The descriptions of the many people who knew her when she was a child and the ways they either helped or hindered her progress give a clear understanding of some of the obstacles in her path. Montgomery includes a thorough explanation of the disorder, helping readers to comprehend this atypical neuropathy. The lively, well-worded narrative is complemented by ample use of photographs and Grandin's complicated drawings of her inventions. For librarians who struggle to find well-written biographies of women, this is a must-buy.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

SEPTEMBER 2012 - AudioFile

Temple Grandin is one of the most well-known autistic people in the world. In a distinctive voice Meredith Mitchell tells children the story of Grandin’s difficult yet accomplished life. Mitchell depicts the struggle Grandin’s mother experienced when her husband wanted to send Temple to a mental institution after she was diagnosed. Instead, her mother enrolled her in public school and treated her as normally as possible throughout her development. Mitchell methodically describes Grandin’s ability to think visually, which led to her ability to think in picture format and comprehend how animals view their experiences. This was key to her approach to reducing animal cruelty in the livestock industry. The story of Dr. Temple Grandin's long journey from autistic child to professor of animal science at Colorado State University is articulately delivered. B.J.P. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

The biography of an exceptional woman who, remarkably, made use of her condition to discover her calling and changed her own and many animals' lives. From earliest childhood, Dr. Temple Grandin, professor of animal science at Colorado State University, stood out with her "odd" ways. Her own father wanted to institutionalize his "retarded" child. Luckily Temple had friends who appreciated her creative mind and a mother who steadfastly believed in her and sought out schools, teachers and therapists who began to help develop her many talents, including a fierce intellect. A kindly high-school teacher led her to realize that her career lay in science. Today Grandin is a world authority and consultant on the respectful, humane treatment of animals raised for food and has designed groundbreaking facilities and equipment that protect livestock from fear and suffering--because her autism permits her to think the way animals do. (Animal lovers particularly may find some descriptions of ranching and slaughterhouse practices hard to take.)Montgomery makes a compelling argument that though one never outgrows autism, it doesn't condemn those who have it to unproductive lives, and an appendix, "Temple's Advice for Kids on the Spectrum," provides first-hand wisdom. Photos and diagrams depict Grandin's work as well as documenting her early life and career. A well written, admiring and thought-provoking portrait. (foreword by Grandin, index, facts about autism and factory farming) (Nonfiction. 10-13)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169552102
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	05/01/2012
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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