From the Bookshelf of Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge…

The Reason I Jump: the Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism

Naoki Higashida,

K.A. Yoshida (Translator)

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Why we're reading this: It's rare to find books by young people with autism in their own voice.…more
[close] It's rare to find books by young people with autism in their own voice.

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By Book Riot · 1 post · 5295 views

last updated Dec 16, 2014 09:22AM

Free copy of Proximity Factor this July, no reviews required. Just enjoy.
By S.S. · 1 post · 9 views

last updated Jul 18, 2024 06:08AM

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What Members Thought

May 23, 2014 alana rated it really liked it

Shelves: nihongo, biography-memoir, non-fiction, teachers-and-pupils, mental-health

The Reason I Jump was written by a young, Japanese man with autism who seeks to answer questions people have about the thoughts and feelings of those on the autistic spectrum who often can't convey the answers themselves. The book takes the form of a single question (such as "Why do you echo questions back at the asker?") and his explanation and examples. There are also a few of Higashida's creative writing pieces included.

While the book is not a guidebook or how to for working with those who h ...more

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Nov 24, 2016 Noam rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, in-translation, asia, audiolibros

I really liked this book written by a thirteen year old on the Autism Spectrum. I would highly recommend skipping the forward by David Mitchell - it's very condescending and doesn't really add much as far as I can tell. But the book itself is really interesting. I like the short stories interspersed between the questions. ...more

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Oct 04, 2013 Alvin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I never knew. I mean, I did, but never thought about it in this boy's way. I work with some students with Autism. But sadly, I am subject to the negative stereotypes and assumptions made about people with Autism. This gives me a brand new perspective on what may be going on with them, of which they can't express. However, like all people, I'm sure there is a lot of variability on the insight and self-reflection that this young man has. I'll be cautious to generalize his experience with that of o ...more

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Nov 22, 2013 Jennifer rated it liked it

Shelves: nonfiction, autobiography, library-book, kindle

I have mixed opinions, as in so many GoodReads reviews before me. But I think it does offer a unique perspective on autism, which is very helpful for me as a future teacher and as a friend to so many parents of autistic or "spectrum-y" kids. The stories were lovely, but felt so David Mitchell-y it's hard to see there isn't a hand at play in shaping the translation... ...more

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