This book, written in the third person is about a little girl who is neurodivergent being raised by an engineer father and a mother who seems neurotic but in a common way when we first meet her. Hester. That’s a spoiler I guess, because at first, we just hear about the child in a very abstract way that goes to what a tiny, nonverbal child might be thinking when they do things. It is a slow start, but I had a sense I should stick with it. I’m very glad I did, because the little girl in her loving family with her cousin who sometimes bullies her and her best friend who is a lot like her works her way through the world in ways that are engaging, interesting, sometimes humorous and kind of…. informative. Life Hacks definitely got fun to read and the audio version I read was particularly well done.
The slow beginning is most likely reflective of the child”s slow beginning in terms of conventional behavior. She acts out in preschool in ways that stand out. She is beloved and understood more or less by both of her parents. On the outside, I read a lot about this book in terms of a manuscript Heather becomes interested in and her slowly understanding what a manuscript is, where one might be found, and so forth. But this story is way more about coming of age as a neurodivergent person and of family dynamics. Hah! I usually run the other way from novels about family dynamics. They are so often stressful. But seriously, this one is fun and not upsetting. A bit sad at times but okay despite the things that happen. There is lots of humor. There is lots of love. There is a whole lot of confusion, misunderstandings, unconventional conversations and behavior that gets you in a world of trouble if you are a kid whose logic is distinctly not consistent with convention. I really am glad I listened all the way. Definitely recommend.
They Called me Bookworm 