Mockingbird

Author: Kathryn Erskine
Reading levels: Ages 9-12
Reviews:
Cailin is a ten-year-old girl who just lost her dearest brother in a school shooting. She has Asperger’s syndrome, and her brother, Devon, was the one understanding her and helped her interpret the world around her. Now she has only her widowed father to rely in this world. Her While it is hard for her father to relate to her, there is a school counselor who works passionately to teach her social skills. At first, she thinks that she does not need to know or get along with her classmates. Eventually, she learns that solitude is eating up inside her and her dad. She decides to go on a mission to help herself and her grieving dad. She tries with all her efforts to make to therapy sessions in order to cope with her loss of her brother and to open up for friendship. After all of the hardship and missteps, she finally finds her best-friend and herself.

Review:
I couldn’t help holding back the tears in my eyes as I read this book. This is a very touching book that I have ever read. The author did an excellent job portraying a girl suffering from autism, without mother, and just lost her brother who happens to be the only one understanding and guiding her. Her father has his own problem too. He is grieving for the loss of his wife.
The author did an extraordinary job in portraying Asperger Syndrome in this novel. There weren’t any stereotypes so many people believe about the disease. The way Caitlin acts and talks and uses gestures. They are all typical of a ten-year-old girl. This reminded me of the way I was at her age. I could relate to what she was going through. Again, this is so far my favorite book of the year.

Awards: 2010 National Book Award, Young People's Literature Winner