The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

I really like that this book is about a boy who is different- who has autism.  I think there needs to be more examples of things in the media that show people who are different.  A lot of value is placed on the individual, but what I like about this book is that it shows a community-minded response to Christopher, the main character.  Christopher, usually so isolated, is forced to go out into his community and the greater world to solve two mysteries.  I think we too often ignore or feel "relief" about kids who are different- that we don't have to "deal" with them.  I think that's a shame, because I have learned so much more from different kids than I've ever learned from kids who conformed to the mainstream standards.  Also, I love that this book challenges even what we think of as "normal" and maybe helps us to see that normal doesn't really exist.  Questions I have about the book are if Christopher was modeled after a particular student or if he is a conglomerate character.  I would love to know more about Christopher's school and the experiences of autistic kids at "special" schools.  I think anyone who likes mysteries and books that they can't put down would like this book, but I would especially recommend it to other teachers and my mom because I know they love knowing and learning about how we learn and gain information and grow.

Cover of book in the UK

Spider Monkeys...and curious creatures.

Currently, I am loving this book by Mark Haddon, and not just because the upside-down image of a dog on the cover is supposed to indicate that it is dead.  Christopher, the narrator, is a misfit- one of those 15 year olds that no teacher, parent, or even peer knows what to do with.  And yet, his father, who figures greatly in the book as well, seems to be able to figure out how to manage and even love his difficult son.  I cannot imagine writing a book with a main character as difficult as Christopher- but he is also charming, logical, and kind in his own way.  Oh, by the way, Christopher is autistic, and I appreciated that the book didn't "sugarcoat" the idea that people with disabilities still deserve to be part of society.  Seeing Christopher's neighbors, school staff and faculty, and his dad react to and deal with his disorder is what I think the heart of this book.  Also, seeing Christopher's thoughts about THEM gives us a new perspective on why developing relationships and fostering understanding can improve the quality of life for all involved.  The mystery is only secondary, it is the revelations of the thoughts and feelings of a unique, teenaged narrator that make this book enjoyable.  One of the most endearing traits of Christopher is his love of animals, which is another thing that makes him so relatable and not just a caricature of someone who has a disorder.  Even as a teacher, I need to be reminded of how different- how much an individual- each student is and try to respect them for both their strengths and their weaknesses.  I think Christopher reminds me of this.

spider monkey- an animal I think resembles Christopher