When My Heart Joins the Thousand

November 1, 2017
"Nutjob." "Robo-tard." "Weirdo." All of her life, 17-year-old orphan Alvie Fitz has dealt with name-calling and cruelty. At this point in time, Alvie, who is autistic, doesn't care about happiness. All that matters is convincing a judge she's emotionally, mentally, and financially ready for emancipation; she has her GED and has already been supporting herself for some time. If she can't, she'll spend the rest of her life in a group home as a ward of the state. Boundaries and routine make up the foundation of the protective wall Alvie's been building around herself since her mother died when she was 11, but 19-year-old college student Stanley Finkel shakes that foundation, gently and gradually forcing Alvie out of her comfort zone. Stanley also stands out in a world that doesn't easily accept people outside the mainstream. He was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition that results in bones that break easily, and uses a cane for support. Stanley doesn't erase the autism by ignoring it; he accepts it as part of her but doesn't define her by it. Alvie's first-person narration presents readers with a fully developed picture of a person with autism; she's frank, observant, and funny. The book's title is inspired by a line from Watership Down, a book Alvie turns to time and again because she identifies with the rabbits' plight to survive. All characters appear to be white.A gorgeous love story of depth and raw emotion that beautifully dismantles the ugly perceptions of autism. (Fiction. 14-adult)

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January 1, 2018

Gr 10 Up-Alvie is 17. She enjoys her routine of working at the zoo, coming home to her apartment, playing on her laptop, and going to the park near her home. After running away from foster care, she has been living on her own and is eager to be legally emancipated. Sitting in the park one day, she sees a boy (Stanley) throw his cell phone into the pond. She rescues the phone, emails him, and an online friendship quickly develops. When Stanley wants to meet in person, Alvie asks him if they can have sex. Although nothing is consummated, a romantic relationship starts to build between them. When Stanley tells Alvie he loves her, she panics and cuts off contact with him. This sends her into a spiral, which ultimately results in her losing her job and becoming homeless. It is only after she reconnects with Stanley and faces the truth about her past that she can find happiness. Flashbacks to Alvie's childhood, her difficulties at school, and her relationship with her mother add depth and understanding to her character. Her meltdowns and behavioral quirks (an interest in rabbits, a love of the book Watership Down) add dimension to what is a fully realized portrayal of a person living with Asperger's. As her romantic foil, Stanley's character is initially a little too perfect, but as the story progresses it is made clear that he struggles with his own issues. This is a love story that could also appeal to adult readers. Their love is hard-fought and deservedly earned. VERDICT Recommended for all YA collections.-Kefira Phillipe, Nichols Middle School, Evanston, IL

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2017
Grades 9-12 At 17, Alvie bears more responsibility with less support than many adults. She lives alone, holds a full-time job caring for animals at a zoo, and is navigating the legal system to gain full emancipation. And she does all of this as a person with autism spectrum disorder. When circumstance brings Stuart into Alvie's life, she sees their connection as an opportunity to experience sex and to fulfill her social worker's advice to form friendships; but it fosters stronger and more complicated feelings for Stuart. For his part, Stuartwho has his own emotional and physical challengessees goodness in Alvie that she's unable to see in herself. Steiger offers a glimpse into the challenges people with autism encounter, including interacting with law enforcement, applying for jobs, dealing with the vagaries of a diagnosis, and sustaining mutually satisfying relationships. Alvie is an empathetic and likable character who struggles with her shortcomings and knows her strengths. Readers will want to console her when she hits rock bottom and swoon alongside her at the satisfying conclusion.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)