My twelve year old son likes books aimed at a younger demographic. This is true for some kids with autism.
Many will stick with a series or even one special book
long after their peers have moved on.
Of course other kids with autism, particularly
those with Asperger’s, have different literary tastes.
We met a boy about my son’s age Friday
who has Asperger’s and one of his favorites is
A Princess of Mars.
This was one of my favorites growing up too.
If you saw the ill-fated movie John Carter,
you know a little of the story.
American jumps to Mars, and rescues a Barsoomian (Martian) beauty, the red-skinned Princess Dejah Thoris.
The whole tale is utterly improbable and quite exciting, just what you would expect from Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Great Things about A Princess of Mars for kids with autism:
- start of a series-lots more Barsoom books to enjoy
- little subtext - if the characters feel something they say so.
- eventful narrative to keep kids engaged
Less Helpful
- poor and dated social models-good men fight, good women scream
- unrealistic situations (obviously)
So you may want to talk about how life is different than
in the books, just in case your kid starts planning a trip to battle a Thark, or worse, decides you are a Thark.
(I'm not a Thark, but I do look a little green today . . .)
- Spectrum Mom
This book is also available for free online
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