Anything But Typical

by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Paperback, 2010

Library's review

Jason Blake is an autistic twelve year old who finds it hard to fit into the neurotypical world. He is gifted and very caring but finds things such as friendship very hard, then he meets PhoenixBird online and friendship takes a new turn. An engaging read for teenagers to understand more about
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autism or for autistic teens and parents.
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Publication

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (2010), Edition: Reprint, 208 pages

Original publication date

2009

User reviews

LibraryThing member skstiles612
As I read this book about Jason, an autistic 6th grader I was reminded of students I have had that were autistic. I was able to recognize so many of the signs. Hearing Jason talk about the noise being so loud he had to cover his ears, not being able to stand someone touching him. His in depth
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ability to write. What a lot of people don’t realize or see in autistic is how brilliant they are in so many ways. I have had one student who could draw things from one look. He had almost a photographic memory but couldn’t stand noise. He could hear the squeal of the air conditioner’s fan belt as it was burning up. Another student couldn’t stand me to walk past him and create any type of breeze that moved his clothing. Yet he could turn out stories that were wonderful. My third experience was with a child that walked the tile lines during lunch because they made him stay in the lunch room. He was adept at playing five instruments without having ever had a lesson. This book gives a realistic view of what an autistic person’s life is like. Jason tells us to look at who we really are and accept ourselves. I loved this book. Maybe I am biased because of my work with autistic children. I believe this book should be read in all schools. It also made me ask myself, “What is normal”?
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LibraryThing member Mardel
The book is written in first person, from the point of view of a boy with autism. He talks about the present, as well as the past. He has a word - a different word every day - that comes to him while he's getting ready for school every morning. Usually, this certain word will pertain to things that
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happen to him that day.

The boy, Jason, has quite a sense of humor though he cannot handle situations with too much stimuli, people, noises, large or too small of spaces. Some of his ways of coping are to cinch his belt as tight as he can, flap his hands around in the air, etc. He also has sudden fits of rage, usually when he's been pushed too far by other kids.

One of Jason's hobbies is writing - in fact words in general have a lot of meaning to him. It's very important for him to get on his computer at a certain time each day, and he has a ritual for turning on his computer. He gets on a storyboard site and writes stories and has begun an online friendship with another writer.

I loved Jason's point of view, his perspective of his family, of the teachers at school - some of whom seem just as troubled as they accuse him of being, and of the other students at school. The descriptions of his stressed out moments really bring home to me what it must feel like to be oversensitive to the environment, and at the same time have difficulty seeing other faces. He avoids looking at faces, just listens to voices and watches the body movements of others.

Though I've seen, over the years, many books with Nora Baskin's name on them, I've never actually read one of her novels. But I just couldn't pass this one up, and I'm glad that I decided to read this to the fifth grade class. I'm also surprised, pleasantly surprised at this class. I thought that they would be impatient or not quite understanding or empathetic of this narrative voice, but they seem to be hanging on the words as I read them out loud. Sometimes I ask them a question, like why do they think he feels a certain way at a certain moment and I'm impressed with their answers, with their interpretation of his actions and feelings. This is a great book to share with a class or with your own children, if you're the parent who reads with their kids. I think classes should have more books like this on their required reading lists, than some of the outdated books that they use year after year. At the least they should add this one as required reading- it's entertaining at the same time it teaches about bigotry (against conditions rather than race), impatience and bravery. Because this kid is brave, to go back everyday to school.
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LibraryThing member nansilverrod
"Anything But Typical" is told in the voice of twelve-year-old autistic Jason Baxter who is high functioning in the areas of language, but who has difficulty verbally expressing himself. He is in the middle of a trial "inclusion" period in his schooling, where he no longer has his one-on-one aide
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to help him interpret what is happening around him, but must instead rely on what everyone has been trying to teach him about how to interact with people and how to deal with stresses.

In his corner are his father; his younger brother, Jeremy; Aaron Miller, a boy at school who is friendly toward him; and his English teacher. His mother does her best to accept who he is, but her stress always comes through, and makes Jason more anxious.

Jason's real outlet is his creative writing, and he participates online in a writing community where he begins corresponding by email with a girl who likes his stories. However, the idea of meeting her is terrifying, and he must use all his resources to cope with the situation.

Well-written and interesting, this book should appeal to middle school readers.
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LibraryThing member MrsRish
This book is a real winner! I would compare it to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, as it is told from the point of view of a likeable character who has autism. I read it in one day. Very good!!
LibraryThing member spartyliblover
Starting this book I was a bit skeptical if I would be able to get into it due to the writing style, but I quickly got used to Jason's jump-around narration and had a hard time putting to down. Jason is well developed, and his perceptions of those around him are unique due to his autistic view.
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It's a wonderful story. Any middle schooler who is trying to learn how to interact with an autistic classmate or is really interested in writing should read this book.
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LibraryThing member hetrickm
As a teacher I found this book enlightening. I have a child in my room who is autistic and the descriptions of Jason Blake have helped me to develop deeper understanding of the things my student is experiencing. I have also recommended this book to his parents as they are still in the early
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learning stages of the diagnosis as well. I am excited about the education this book provided me and my colleagues.
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LibraryThing member EKAnderson
Autism has been in the news a lot lately. You may even know someone autistic. And I bet you’re curious. What’s it like to have an autistic brain? In Baskin’s latest, sixth-grader Jason wants to explain to us Neurotypicals what his life is like. How he thinks, why he does the things he does.
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It certainly isn’t easy being a sixth grader with such obvious differences from his classmates. That’s why he turns to the internet, where he meets Rebecca. And in a twist of fate, he just might have the chance to meet her in real life. This stunningly beautiful, excruciatingly honest novel is not just about psychology or science. And it’s not just about being different. Anything But Typical is about courage, struggle, and love – topics that, surely, we all can relate to. This book is unputdownable.
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LibraryThing member abbylibrarian
Twelve-year-old Jason has autism, so the world looks different to him. He doesn't really have any friends because most kids can't see past his disability. They think that if they can't understand you, you must not have anything to say and if you don't express your feelings like they do, you must
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not have any feelings. All that changes when he meets PhoenixBird on an online writing website. Emails from her are the highlight of Jason's day, but when he gets the chance to meet her at a conference, he must decide if he's brave enough to show her who he really is.

I immediately liked Jason's voice and the way Nora Raleigh Baskin depicts the point of view of a kid with autism. I'd hand this to fans of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time or The London Eye Mystery.
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LibraryThing member prkcs
Jason, a twelve-year-old autistic boy who wants to become a writer, relates what his life is like as he tries to make sense of his world.
LibraryThing member mysteena
When I write, I can be heard. And known.But nobody has to look at me. Nobody has to see me at all.Nora Raleigh Baskin’s novel, Anything but Typical, takes us into the thoughts and life of Jason, an 11-year-old boy with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Jason understands his differences and understands
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what is expected of him in behavior and social interaction, yet he finds that he cannot make himself behave in those ways. Despite his many challenges, he is a prolific author who knows much about the writing process. Jason posts his stories on a Storyboard website, through which he meets and becomes friends with a girl. What will happen when his parents take him to the Storyboard Convention, where his online girl friend will be in attendance? Jason’s courage in facing the challenges of his life is inspirational on many levels. Baskin’s attempt to portray and understand the mind of an autistic child is commendable. Her research into autistic behavior is obvious by Jason’s speech patterns and behavior. This book will be an excellent resource for readers who have had little exposure to autistic children. Her insight into the challenges of Jason’s life could help readers to gain further understanding into the reality of autism. However, for those who are familiar with autism, Jason’s behavior feels slightly cliché: his hand-flapping, hair pulling and refusal to make eye contact are so characteristic of the condition, it almost feels as if she focuses on these behaviors too heavily. Her insight into why Jason acts this way is intriguing. For children who have autistic classmates and friends, this book could be invaluable in helping them their unique behaviors and view of the world. For children who have autism, Jason’s experiences will ring familiar and help them realize they are not alone in their condition. Recommended for ages 9-11.
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LibraryThing member Sarahfine
A rare look at the inside of an autistic mind, this book sheds light on the many difficulties experienced by an autistic child, as well as his or her family. Jason Blake has trouble controlling himself. He is easily irritated by voices, physical contact, or background noise, and when upset, he
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flaps his arms or rocks back and forth. He realizes that his condition upsets his mother, but he is unable to comfort her, though he wants to. However, he is also an excellent and perceptive writer. This book might be useful
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LibraryThing member jadaykennedy
Before I wrote this review I did something I do not normally do. I read someone else’s review. Prior to reading this review I was prepared to sing the book’s praises. After, I was less enthusiastic. The other review was written by an autistic person. Surprised by their opinion and review I
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listened to the book one more time. So my review is based on this person’s observations and critique and my opinion of the book. The other review ranked the book as a three out of five.

In the book “Anything But Typical,” Baskin sheds light on the behaviors “neuro-typicals” view as odd. Insight into why an autistic person may not respond when addressed by people, flap their hands, pull their own hair, rock, etc… make sense. There is an extraordinary amount of introspection on the part of the autistic child, Jason. Per an autistic reviewer, autistic people do not self analyze their own actions and reactions incessantly.

Jason is an autistic child attempting to integrate into mainstream society. Online he has anonymity and has caught the eye of a girl. She applauds his writing skill and engages him in an email friendship. I had a similar experience when I took classes online. In the “real world” he can’t be just an average kid. Other people perceive him as odd and don’t understand his ticks and reactions.

Autism appears in many degrees. The autistic person may be severely socially inept or they could have minor problems and areas of difficulty. The book is about a more severe case of autism. The boy struggles with his autism in order to fit into the neuro-typical world. His loving family strives to love, support and understand him. The actions and reactions of others that interact with Jason show the confusion and misunderstanding of this condition.

I’m very tolerant of others with disabilities and illnesses. I suppose that is partially due to my own condition. I have a better understanding of what causes the “odd” actions of autistic people. This book will do more than make people tolerant. It will foster understanding of an enigmatic condition. I would recommend the book.
☻☻☻☻
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LibraryThing member jkessluk
A fantastic book about a twelve year old with autism, written in his views about the difficulties of his life. It is great to hear the challenges that Jason Blake goes through, from trying to control his occasionally uncontrollable arms to the challenges of making friends, let alone a girl friend.
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The book goes back and forth as he tells about his life, which does get confusing but I believe it enhances the story. I would recommend this in any young classroom so that they could see what troubles these children with disabilities go through in life.
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LibraryThing member catmb
Excellent, easy to read book for all ages that gives a fabulous insight into the mind of a boy with Aspergers Syndrome - especially how he relates to his peers in school and his family and how he learns to adapt to living everyday in a 'NT' world.
LibraryThing member meggyweg
I think this is a pretty good portrayal of how a high-functioning autistic boy would think and act. I have Asperger's Syndrome, so they say, and although I do better than Jason I can recognize a lot of my problems in him. The conflict with the story convention is well done and I thought the ending
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was perfect -- hopeful, and realistic. Very good story overall, and it just might make NT readers a little more sympathetic and understanding towards people with autism.
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LibraryThing member CircusTrain
5Q
4P - sadly the award and the topic may cut back on the popularity - hopefully not.
LibraryThing member SJKessel
Baskin, N.R. (2009). Anything But Typical. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

195 pages.

Appetizer: 12-year-old Jason Blake is good with words. He's a writer. And posting his stories on an online story website is the way that he engages with people. He has trouble speaking to people
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in person and expressing his emotions because he is autistic. He thinks that because he has trouble expressing what he feels, many neurotypicals, like his classmates, assume he doesn't feel. Most people try to keep their distance from him and Jason silently believes that he'll never have a girlfriend.

But then, when Jason goes to check for comments on his latest story online, he discovers a nice comment. A nice comment from a girl! A girl named PhoenixBird who seems to want to be his friend.

As Jason and PhoenixBird continue to talk online, his parents inform him that they'll let him go to the storyboard website's annual conference. While normally this would be a dream come true for Jason, it causes him to worry. What if he sees PhoenixBird there? Will she still want to be his friend when she sees that he's different from most of the kids their age? That he has trouble holding still?

Nora Raleigh Baskin does an AMAZING job of entering Jason's perspective. He's a wonderfully believable character. Jason is regularly bullied and taken advantage of by some of his classmates and Baskin does a great job of describing Jason's experiences in a fair manner. I can see why this book was one of the Schneider award winners this year.

Throughout the book, there are wonderful moments when Jason describes the craft of writing. Because of these moments, I'd probably pair reading this book aloud with having students write their own stories, paying attention to the tensions, the perspective and tools students use to tell the story.

I very intentionally say I'd use this book as a read aloud because there are a lot of moments throughout the book that I think a teacher needs to encourage students to discuss the content or provide some background: What autism is, the way the book jumps back and forth through time, the vocabulary, the way gender is presented, the way some of the characters feel about Jason and his feelings toward him, etc.

This is one of those books, which, while it's technically middle grade, it can also be used with young adults.

I assigned this to my undergrads to read and their reactions. The vast majority liked it and were impressed by Jason's perspective. They threw comments around about how this book can help educate readers on autism, how to interact with autistic people, etc. There was a lot of really great and deep discussion. Plus, the book is less angsty than Mockingbird (which I was considering using next quarter, especially since it was recently named a National Book Award finalist). Monica and I discussed it a few months ago.

But I'm sorry, Mockingbird. I think I'm sticking with Anything But Typical for the time being.

Dinner Conversation:

"Most people like to talk in their own language.
They strongly prefer it. They so strongly prefer it that when they go to a foreign country they just talk louder, maybe slower, because they think they will be better understood. But more than talking in their own language, people like to hear things in a way they are most comfortable. The way they are used to. The way they can most easily relate to, as if that makes it more real. So I will try to tell this story in that way.
And I will tell this story in first person.
I not he. Me not him. Mine not his.
In a neurotypical way.
I will try--
To tell my story in their language, in your language." (p. 1).

"Why do people want everyone to act just like they do? Talk like they do. Look like they do. Act like they do.
And if you don't--
If you don't, people make the assumption that you do not feel what they feel.
And then they make the assumption--
That you must not feel anything at all" (p.14).

"I read the comment one more time.
Because somethign tells me--
That this note is from a girl. There are some boy cheerleaders, but I don't think a boy would admit that.
So I thin PhoenixBird is a girl.
So I think a girl has just said something nice to me" (p. 29).

Tasty Rating: !!!!
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LibraryThing member erburr117
An eye-opening look into the mind of a young boy with high functioning autism. We as the reader, get to see a glimpse into his world and into his interactions with family and schoolmates, how he sees us and how they respond to him. A very good book for the middle school audience, maybe even for
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good readers in elementary school, it definately helps the reader see what it is like to be different from others, gives them persepctive on how to treat their fellow students that may have this disorder, and develop empathy. Is also a good book when teaching about autism and other disorders.
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LibraryThing member samantha.roth
A book about an autistic 12-year old boy and how he views the world. He is senstive to sound and overstimulation. Although he cannot communitcate verbally he is a great writer and spends the majority of his time writing stories on the online Storyboard he belongs to. He befriends a girl on
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Storyboard and through his converstations with her and his stories he realized how to accept who he is.
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LibraryThing member ALelliott
This is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. Jason is a twelve year old boy with autism, growing up and trying to figure out the neurotypical world around him. Isolated from his peers, Jason loses himself in his writing. He posts his work on a fanfic website, where it draws
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the attention of a girl his own age. Over the internet, the two form a tenuous friendship, and Jason revels in having a new friend. But when they have the opportunity to meet at a writer's convention, Jason fears that the girl, Rebecca, will only see his autism and not the boy inside.

What is unique about this book is that Raleigh Baskin tells it from Jason's point of view, but she does so in such a way that Jason's voice is at once unique, authentic, and completely recognizable to anyone who has ever struggled to fit in. This is a good recommendation both for kids with and without autism, as it will make readers think about what it means to be different, but even the most neurotypical kid will find something to identify with in Jason. A wonderful book for upper grade kids.

For ages 10 and up.
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LibraryThing member BKPietz
I really enjoyed reading this book. I really like how it is told from the autistic child's point of view, instead of from a periphery perspective. I think this book can be used to teach children a great deal about respecting differences and/or perhaps appreciating their own uniqueness.
LibraryThing member countrylife
Love the cover on my copy of Anything But Typical, so suggestive of the contents of the book – swirling thoughts of a child. This novel is written in the voice of twelve-year old Jason, an autist, who is learning to “fit in” in a regular middle school. His story is told by voicing his
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thoughts to the reader. I listened to this book on audio and thought that was a particularly effective device for hearing the thoughts of a young person with the condition. Jason lets us know what happens each day, the thoughts that accompany the events, what he has been instructed to do to face these situations, how he feels during them, how he interacts with his classmates and his parents. It provided a lot of insight into the difficult life of an autistic person trying to make it in a neuro-typical world.

I don’t have anything with which to compare, but thought that the characterization was superb. Nicely written and very informative.
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LibraryThing member becker
Jason Blake is 12, and autistic. He knows enough about NTs (that's neurotypicals) to know that he doesn't quite fit in, and to worry about it, but sometimes he just can't help himself, like when it feels like his hair is on fire, or when standing on the grass hurts. His mom and dad try hard to
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understand, but it seems like mom just wants him to be a little more like everyone else. When people talk, Jason listens, but you might not be able to tell, because he doesn't look you in the eye. Jason escapes from days when something always seems to go wrong at some point by writing original stories and posting them to an online story site. No one there knows what he looks or acts like, they just know his writing, which he gets many compliments on. Jason is particularly excited by the positive feedback from PhoenixBird, who is a GIRL (her real name is Rebecca). As long as Rebecca never meets Jason, everything will be fine. But then Jason's parents surprise him with a trip to a story writing conference, one where Rebecca will be, too. Get inside Jason's head as he tries to find his place in the world and learn more about relating to everyone in his life, as well as what it means to be yourself.
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LibraryThing member darlingdumpling
A very interesting, unique perspective- a child with Autism written in first person. Unsure if story authentic to actual experience of being in autism spectrum but is a really different view and will help kids to identify with traits that are present in all types of people- comfort/discomfort,
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worry, etc.
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LibraryThing member awinkler
This book is an insight into the mind of an autistic teen. It portrays typical autistic behaviors, how autistic teens might be related to in a public school, and what they might be thinking about all of this. The main character is an autistic boy who loves to write and makes a friend (thats a girl)
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on the internet. He finds out they both will be going to the same writing conference. He doesn't want to meet her because he is scared she won't like him anymore because of his disability. It is an inspiring novel.
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Pages

208
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