Year Published:2003
ISBN:9780385509459
Pages:256 p.
Genre:Mystery stories, Psychological fiction, First person narratives, Adult books for young adults
Interest Level:
Reading Level:
Subjects: Fifteen-year-old boys, Autism, Savant syndrome, Dogs -- Death, Neighbors, Social phobia, Family secrets, Holmes, Sherlock -- Influence
Annotation: Despite his overwhelming fear of interacting with people, Christopher, a mathematically-gifted, autistic fifteen-year-old boy, decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor's dog and uncovers secret information about his mother. (Novelist)
Summary: Sometimes profound characters come in unassuming packages. In this instance, it is Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old autistic savant with a passion for primary numbers and a paralyzing fear of anything that happens outside of his daily routine. When a neighbor's dog is mysteriously killed, Christopher decides to solve the crime in the calculating spirit of his hero, Sherlock Holmes. Little does he know the real mysteries he is about to uncover. The author does a revelatory job of infusing Christopher with a legitimate and singularly human voice. Christopher lives in a world that is devoid of the emotional responses most of us expect, but that does not mean he lacks feelings or insights. Rather than being just a victim, he is allowed to become a complex character who is not always likable and sometimes demonstrates menacing qualities that give this well-trod narrative path much-needed freshness. The novel is being marketed to a YA audience, but strong language and adult situations make this a good title for sophisticated readers of all ages. Highly recommended for all fiction collections. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 2/1/03.]—David Hellman, San Francisco State Univ. Lib. --David Hellman (Reviewed May 1, 2003) (Library Journal, vol 128, issue 8, p155)
Reviews and Awards:
ALA Notable Books - Fiction: 2004
Alex Award: 2004
Booklist Editors' Choice - Adult Fiction for Young Adults: 2003
British Book Awards (the Nibbies): Children's Book of the Year
British Book Awards (the Nibbies): Literary Fiction Award (2004-2005)
Commonwealth Writers' Prize: Best First Book
Commonwealth Writers' Prize: Best First Book: Regional Award: South Asia & Europe
Costa Book Awards (formerly the Whitbread Book Award): Novel category
Garden State Teen Book Awards (New Jersey): Fiction (Grades 9-12)
Library Journal Best Books: 2003
Los Angeles Times Book Prizes: Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction
New York Times Notable Books - Fiction and Poetry: 2003
School Library Journal's Adult Books for High School Students: 2003
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults: 2004
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