Mockingbird

Fifth-grader Caitlin has Asperger's syndrome, and author Kathryn Erskine sets her sights on getting listeners to see the world through that prism. Narrator Angela Rogers captures the exact tone of a 10-year-old girl. Rogers uses pacing and emphasis to create the perfect balance between Caitlin's lack of empathy and her struggle to cope with the death of her beloved brother, who interpreted the world for her. Rogers's performance rings with honesty, as does the book itself, creating between them a portrayal that brings empathy and understanding to a difficult topic. D.G. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

Starred review from March 8, 2010
Ten-year-old Caitlin Smith has Asperger's syndrome, which is why she is processing a horrific event differently than everyone else in her small Virginia town. As the result of a school shooting, her beloved brother, Devon, and two others are dead. Caitlin's mother is also dead, lost to cancer when Caitlin was just three. She addresses these losses matter-of-factly; her lack of tact is especially hard on her father, a kind man who is falling apart. Over the course of the story, Caitlin, who like many with Asperger's has incredible brainpower but few social skills, must learn empathy. She narrates—a risky choice that mostly works. Her Amelia Bedelia–like misunderstandings of figurative language provide much needed moments of levity, and her extreme conscientiousness is endearing. Erskine (Quaking
) works in powerful imagery throughout—Devon's unfinished Eagle Scout project was a wooden chest, and for Caitlin, it's entwined with the irreparable bullet wound in Devon's chest. Although an author's note links the novel with the 2007 tragedy at Virginia Tech, this novel is not about violence as much as about the ways in which a wounded community heals. Ages 10–up.

August 1, 2010

Gr 4-6-Ten-year-old Caitlyn seeks closure. She's not entirely sure what closure is, but she knows that it will help her come to grips with the death of her big brother Devon. And she's not the only one who needs it-the school shooting that claimed Devon's life has plunged her entire town into a morass of sorrow and confusion. But Caitlyn has Asperger's syndrome. She experiences the behavior of others as a series of unrelated vignettes whose meaning she must puzzle out. While she has some tools for solving these puzzles-the facial expressions chart in the counselor's office helps-her best guide has always been Devon. Caitlyn's extremely literal interpretations, unbiased reactions, and open-hearted attempts at friendship and empathy help those around her gain fresh perspectives. Devon always knew this about her, which is why he called her Scout, after the character in To Kill a Mockingbird. Caitlyn's errors and successes at parsing her world invite discussion and reflection. Although it can be difficult to distinguish between Caitlyn's thoughts and her dialogue when listening to this book by Kathryn Erskine (Philomel, 2010), Angela Jayne Rogers's unadorned narration is poignant and forthright, making this title ideal for a group read/listen.-Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, MD

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