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On Cue
Randi wants to be an actress and is excited about practicing her craft in drama class. So she is devastated to learn the program has been cut. When her friends put together a successful proposal to have drama class taught as an extracurricular activity, Randi is thrilled. Until the reality sinks in. Extracurriculars are scheduled after school, and after school Randi is expected to take care of her special-needs brother. Can Randi find a way to make it all work out?
- GenresYoung AdultFiction
144 pages, Paperback
First published March 22, 2016
2 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
Cristy Watson
10 books83 followersI am a retired teacher and writer living in Calgary, Alberta. Since retiring I have grown the writer part of my life and now edit and mentor authors, as well as offering writing workshops. Along with eight published novels, my poetry appears in anthologies and online. Thanks for visiting my page!
Check out my author Facebook page:
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Check out my author Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/watsoncristy
And my new YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD76...
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 12, 2022
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
The author donated a copy to the juvenile jail I volunteer in. I just had to sneak a peak at the book first.
My little brother is autistic. Once he was born, my whole life changed. Well at first he was a baby, so that is why he got all the attention. Then he had issues with speech, so there was therapy. There were issues with over stimulation, so there was freak outs. Unlike Randi, I only saw my brother a few days a month. I never got burned out on trying to help him deal with everything around him. This book still hit close to home for other reasons.
Randi is growing up and wants to be her own person, but she is feeling stuck. Her mother expects her to be with Tobias all the time. Everything is about Tobias and his needs. It is all understandable, but that doesn’t make it any bit easier on any of the people involved. The emotional depth that Watson is able to get across in such few words and at the reading level this book is on was just impressive. Yet again, Watson showed me that Charles Dickens, Stephen King, and so many other writers are overrated. I don’t need a ten page description of a tree. Those words could have been a whole scene or a whole chapter instead. Instead of getting bogged down in the details that really don’t matter, use those words to actually tell the story. (I know I named some really popular authors. I stand by this statement though. Give me a Watson book any day over those two.)
The story was complex. Tobias wasn’t the villain. The villain was not talking. The ending showed that they all loved each other and that the real issue was people hiding their feelings. Some of that hiding was for selfish reasons and other was from a mom needing to feel good enough (at least that’s the view I got since the dad was never mentioned which made me think there was more story there). The moms in my family that have kids with disabilities or autistic kids, are like the mom in this book. They are very much strong women that do whatever they can for their kids. They don’t want to admit they need a break or need help. Its a hard position to be in. This book covers it all.
The author donated a copy to the juvenile jail I volunteer in. I just had to sneak a peak at the book first.
My little brother is autistic. Once he was born, my whole life changed. Well at first he was a baby, so that is why he got all the attention. Then he had issues with speech, so there was therapy. There were issues with over stimulation, so there was freak outs. Unlike Randi, I only saw my brother a few days a month. I never got burned out on trying to help him deal with everything around him. This book still hit close to home for other reasons.
Randi is growing up and wants to be her own person, but she is feeling stuck. Her mother expects her to be with Tobias all the time. Everything is about Tobias and his needs. It is all understandable, but that doesn’t make it any bit easier on any of the people involved. The emotional depth that Watson is able to get across in such few words and at the reading level this book is on was just impressive. Yet again, Watson showed me that Charles Dickens, Stephen King, and so many other writers are overrated. I don’t need a ten page description of a tree. Those words could have been a whole scene or a whole chapter instead. Instead of getting bogged down in the details that really don’t matter, use those words to actually tell the story. (I know I named some really popular authors. I stand by this statement though. Give me a Watson book any day over those two.)
The story was complex. Tobias wasn’t the villain. The villain was not talking. The ending showed that they all loved each other and that the real issue was people hiding their feelings. Some of that hiding was for selfish reasons and other was from a mom needing to feel good enough (at least that’s the view I got since the dad was never mentioned which made me think there was more story there). The moms in my family that have kids with disabilities or autistic kids, are like the mom in this book. They are very much strong women that do whatever they can for their kids. They don’t want to admit they need a break or need help. Its a hard position to be in. This book covers it all.
March 16, 2021
On Cue introduces a new author to me. The story demonstrates the impact a teacher and an extracurricular activity a student enjoys can have on her and her family's lives. A thoughtful book that sensitively highlights the importance of inclusion and giving students opportunities to explore their interests. A fun read with likeable characters.
May 20, 2021
Honestly, I really liked the book, it was cool to see the point of view of a sister who has an autistic brother and her struggles as the sister. I also liked how she has to make it to the drama class while taking care of her brother and having a single night shift working mom.. but I do have some problems(note these are just criticisms mainly directed at orca currents so don't come for me twitter)
so, I don't like how the book is so short because I feel like they could've ended the story a lot better than they did give more depth to josh and Isabelle other than just gossiping about her they could have made it like a chapter. on each person's pov in the story which would probably make me enjoy the story more but I did enjoy it I just felt like there could've been more.
so, I don't like how the book is so short because I feel like they could've ended the story a lot better than they did give more depth to josh and Isabelle other than just gossiping about her they could have made it like a chapter. on each person's pov in the story which would probably make me enjoy the story more but I did enjoy it I just felt like there could've been more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2022
This book was short, sweet and really enjoyable. It has a great ending and some great characters, and super easy to read.
October 23, 2021
Authentic dialogue and rich characterizations made this a great read
February 6, 2017
This book is all about a girl who had a passion for Acting. She has a brother who had a autism. Randi is the older sibling, she has grown up taking care of Toby her younger brother who had a austism. Randi is always their to care for Toby if their Mom is at work. However, Randi feels that she needs more time for herself rather than babysitting her younger brother Toby. She felt like she needs more time to focus on her acting skills. This situation becomes more complicated when Randi finds out that her drama class gets cut. Eventually, everyone finds a solution by taking the Drama class after school. Randi had a hard time figuring out how can she comes after school for the Drama class because she needs to pick Toby up from his class. Can Randi find a solution on how can she properly balance her time by going to the Drama class as well as picking up her brother Toby from his school.
For me, this book is easy and quick to read. I enjoy reading this book so much because you will learn to care for the people who had special needs. I feel like I was one of the character as I read this book because I was familiar with the setting which takes place from the city where I lived. So, I know all the places that have been wrote on the story. On cue is all about conflict, time management, and school. You will learn a lot of things by reading this book. Lastly, the conflict on this book is all about family vs. Passion.
For me, this book is easy and quick to read. I enjoy reading this book so much because you will learn to care for the people who had special needs. I feel like I was one of the character as I read this book because I was familiar with the setting which takes place from the city where I lived. So, I know all the places that have been wrote on the story. On cue is all about conflict, time management, and school. You will learn a lot of things by reading this book. Lastly, the conflict on this book is all about family vs. Passion.
September 12, 2017
I accidentally checked this out at the library and didn't notice until I was already home. I decided to read it, and I was pleasantly surprised.
Short but sweet.
Short but sweet.
July 8, 2025
Cross-posted from my blog where there's more information on where I got my copy and links and everything.
This book’s views on autism are so outdated that they’re harmful and I would not recommend this book to anyone due to its intense ableism. This is also a hi-low book, which means high-interest, low reading level, meaning its audience is highly probable to include disabled readers, who deserve better representation than this.
Toby, the main character’s brother, is an autistic sterotype. He does not exist as a human being. He exists only as a burden for the main character to deal with. He is not a character – he is a plot device. Randi talks about like he’s a goldfish she doesn’t like. Their mother at one point even asks Randi, “Would you like to walk in his shoes?” when Randi complains about the unfair burden placed on her shoulders in being her brother’s main caregiver, as if being autistic is the worst thing a person could ever experience. It is an awful view of disability.
This really feels like it was written in the 90s. Beyond the view of autism, it feels so outdated. 13 year olds in 2016 were not texting like, “Not gr8t” and “Tx but 2 much homework”. We used to type like that when we texted through T9 when it took seven key presses to write a three letter word. On a smartphone, “gr8t” takes LONGER than “great”. No one does that!
Or carrying a purse – what 13 year old takes a purse to school? Which she apparently forgot at home in one scene, but took her wallet, but that wallet had nothing in it because she said she didn’t have cash, which is obviously a mistake but really bothered me because it was literally the same page.
The book also insists that person first language is the only way to go, that Toby is not “an austistic boy” but “a boy affected with autism”. Every autistic person I know prefers identity first language, but obviously I don’t know all autistic people and it’s obviously a personal choice. It would be fine if Toby was making that choice. He’s not. Toby doesn’t get to make choices. His mother and sister are making that choice for him and they are also telling everyone else their choice of identify first language is wrong.
Honestly I think children’s literature about allistic kids with autistic siblings written by allistic adults who maybe have an autistic kid just needs to stop for a bit. We have enough. We have enough that I read a 67 page thesis for this review, and it didn’t even mention several books I know of along this theme. We’re good. This is why we need more books like The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family.
Representation: Toby is autistic. It is not good representation.
Content notes: Tons and tons of ableism. Also, Randi is severely parentified by her mother and that could be upsetting to read for some.
This book’s views on autism are so outdated that they’re harmful and I would not recommend this book to anyone due to its intense ableism. This is also a hi-low book, which means high-interest, low reading level, meaning its audience is highly probable to include disabled readers, who deserve better representation than this.
Toby, the main character’s brother, is an autistic sterotype. He does not exist as a human being. He exists only as a burden for the main character to deal with. He is not a character – he is a plot device. Randi talks about like he’s a goldfish she doesn’t like. Their mother at one point even asks Randi, “Would you like to walk in his shoes?” when Randi complains about the unfair burden placed on her shoulders in being her brother’s main caregiver, as if being autistic is the worst thing a person could ever experience. It is an awful view of disability.
This really feels like it was written in the 90s. Beyond the view of autism, it feels so outdated. 13 year olds in 2016 were not texting like, “Not gr8t” and “Tx but 2 much homework”. We used to type like that when we texted through T9 when it took seven key presses to write a three letter word. On a smartphone, “gr8t” takes LONGER than “great”. No one does that!
Or carrying a purse – what 13 year old takes a purse to school? Which she apparently forgot at home in one scene, but took her wallet, but that wallet had nothing in it because she said she didn’t have cash, which is obviously a mistake but really bothered me because it was literally the same page.
The book also insists that person first language is the only way to go, that Toby is not “an austistic boy” but “a boy affected with autism”. Every autistic person I know prefers identity first language, but obviously I don’t know all autistic people and it’s obviously a personal choice. It would be fine if Toby was making that choice. He’s not. Toby doesn’t get to make choices. His mother and sister are making that choice for him and they are also telling everyone else their choice of identify first language is wrong.
Honestly I think children’s literature about allistic kids with autistic siblings written by allistic adults who maybe have an autistic kid just needs to stop for a bit. We have enough. We have enough that I read a 67 page thesis for this review, and it didn’t even mention several books I know of along this theme. We’re good. This is why we need more books like The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family.
Representation: Toby is autistic. It is not good representation.
Content notes: Tons and tons of ableism. Also, Randi is severely parentified by her mother and that could be upsetting to read for some.
April 14, 2023
Throughout this book I just felt myself getting frustrated with the mother. Having a child with autism or other additional needs isn't easy, on the parents or any other children in the household, and I'm by no means saying it is. But using those other children for free babysitting/minding duties while the parent goes and sees people isn't right. Nor is it right that the autistic child's needs are a higher priority than the other child's.
~
In this book Randi lives with her mother and autistic brother Tobias. Randi has to take her brother to school on the way to hers, and leave school early to be there to collect him at the end of the day before walking home and minding him until their mother gets home.
~
Throughout the story her mother did get a little better and started to realise the impact minding Tobias full-time was having on Randi. But reading it wasn't super easy for me because it sorta brought up some deeply buried old feelings I've had about situations in my own life, so it wasn't the brightest book about autism I've ever read.
~
In this book Randi lives with her mother and autistic brother Tobias. Randi has to take her brother to school on the way to hers, and leave school early to be there to collect him at the end of the day before walking home and minding him until their mother gets home.
~
Throughout the story her mother did get a little better and started to realise the impact minding Tobias full-time was having on Randi. But reading it wasn't super easy for me because it sorta brought up some deeply buried old feelings I've had about situations in my own life, so it wasn't the brightest book about autism I've ever read.
June 27, 2019
I won a copy on a Goodreads Giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Short but cute. I don't have anyone with special needs in my life but I understand the importance of support and being there for others. Miranda made a good compromise in her life after fighting her mom for so long.
I wish there was more conflict because everything fell into place too easily. Very simple writing as well and the characters aren't memorable. But I really enjoyed the message of the story.
Short but cute. I don't have anyone with special needs in my life but I understand the importance of support and being there for others. Miranda made a good compromise in her life after fighting her mom for so long.
I wish there was more conflict because everything fell into place too easily. Very simple writing as well and the characters aren't memorable. But I really enjoyed the message of the story.
October 27, 2022
Randi has a lot on her plate she really wants to do drama but she also has to take care of her brother who is autistic and needs help while there mom works, so can randi do drama and take care of her brother all at the same time? Guess you’ll have to find out
January 15, 2016
This rating is based on my personal preference and does not take into account the audience this book is intended for.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews