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Title details for A Girl Like Tilly by Helen Bates - Available

A Girl Like Tilly

Growing up with Autism

by Helen Bates
Ellen Li
ebook
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Tilly is a bit of a puzzle. She's struggling at school, she really doesn't like surprises, she isn't sure if she's a girl or a boy, and she just doesn't want to make new friends. Why is it such hard work to try and understand people, or for them to understand her?This poignant story maps the entire childhood of a bright young girl with autism. Growing up undiagnosed, she finds life increasingly difficult and confusing. Unable to communicate her thoughts and feelings, she retreats further into her own world while her family grows evermore perplexed and concerned. When a psychologist finally explains what makes her special, they can stop focusing on the problems and start to navigate a new way forward for Tilly.With vividly expressive illustrations and minimal words, this story is a valuable and accessible tool for helping children aged 7-13 and their families understand female autism, and will also be immensely helpful to readers interested in understanding better how autism manifests in girls. Honest, positive, and ultimately hopeful, it is inspired by the real childhood of Helen Bates's daughter Rachel, whose own writing describes her experiences as a girl like Tilly.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    October 11, 2019

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Read

      • ISBN: 9781784504311

    • PDF ebook

      • ISBN: 9781784504311
      • File size: 3890 KB

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • School Library Journal

      March 1, 2017

      Gr 3-6-Bates follows a young girl with autism through her childhood. The adults in Tilly's life notice that something is different about her but brush these observations off and attribute them to things such as daydreaming and shyness. Meanwhile, Tilly grows increasingly frustrated and confused, often overwhelmed by new situations and social settings. Things get harder as she ages. Tilly struggles with boundaries, communication, and her gender identity until a psychologist connects the dots and realizes that Tilly has autism. Small details throughout, including discussions of Tilly's interests and strengths, humanize her and make her a highly empathetic character. Li's soft but detailed illustrations effectively convey Tilly's sense of the world. Blush tones are contrasted with a bright blue line that represents Tilly's journey. The book is a powerful tool for those with autism to see that they are not alone and for families to gain empathy or a new perspective. The ending imparts the valuable message that not all girls with autism are the same and that differences can lead to new possibilities. A helpful list of resources relating to autism is provided in the back matter. VERDICT Effectively portraying the challenges that girls with autism often experience, this is a worthwhile addition to collections catering to children with disabilities.-Kathryn Justus, Renbrook School, West Hartford, CT

      Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Read
  • PDF ebook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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