Anything But Typical (Student Book Review)

Anything But Typical 

by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Review by: Grace

Jason Blake is twelve years old, autistic, and lives in a very typical world. He has a hard time at school because nobody can understand him. Usually he gets upset and has to go home before the day is done. Jason also doesn't talk very much so he gets words out of his head by writing stories and posting them online at a website called storyboard. One day, Jason is checking his website and he sees that a girl online named Phoenix Bird, Rebecca in real life,  has replied to his story.  They become friends online, but Jason doesn't want to meet her. He thinks that she won't want to be friends with him because he's autistic. When Jason and Rebecca find out they are both going to the storybord convention, he is more worried than ever.  Will Rebecca still want to be friends with Jason? Read the story to find out.

     I like this book because its so emotional and you feel like you know Jason and how it is inside his head. I feel badly for Jason and want to help him.  I like that Jason is such a determined character because he is always trying his best. I also think Jason is very creative because he makes up his own words, almost like his own language.  However, Jason is also a little confusing because of all his made up words.  I also don't care for the fact that people don't like Jason just because he is different. 

    I recommend this book for grades 5-7 and for people who like sensitive and emotional stories.   I also recommend this book for people who have similar problems or who are going through a hard time because Jason helps you understand how to get through it.  I think Anything But Typical is a sad, but also a happy book that is wonderfully written.

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Welcome Back

We are off to a great start this year.  Check out this Prezi to review the basics of UMS Library use.

Summer Literacy

Looking for some ways to encourage your child to read this summer? Here are some ways you can encourage your child to read and make it a family event.

1. There are some great movies coming out this year based on books. Read the book together or separately than have a family movie night. It can be a lot of fun to create a theme around the night including foods and snacks that relate to the movie.

2. Read a book set in the mid-Atlantic Region and then try visit places mentioned in the book. Here is a list of books set in the the Mid Atlantic

3. Pick a historical place to read about then go visit the place. Many of the historical landmarks around Maryland have both fiction and nonfiction books that tell their story. You could also do this about any location you may visit on vacation.

4. Listen to audio books while in the car. Many libraries offer both CD versions of books as well as downloads for MP3 players.

5. Model reading. Set aside some family time to read. Rainy summer days or slow summer mornings are great times to turn off the electronics and sit together and read.

Visit the UMS Media page to access Summer reading lists and directions for FCPS ebooks through Axis 360

Check out ebooks from the UMS Library

FCPS has entered into the realm of loaning eBooks through our school libraries. You can access these books with any device that uses apple or droid apps, as well as a Nook and a Kindle. Click on the image below to visit UMS media home page. Directions and links for Axis 360 are located on the right sidebar.