My Brother Charlie

January 25, 2010
This mother-daughter author team base their thoughtful and moving story on their experiences living with Ryan’s autistic brother, RJ. Callie, a candid narrator whose twin brother is autistic, explains that “Charlie’s brain works in a special way.” She mentions the boy’s strong will (“When Charlie wants something, nothing stops him. Even when it’s dangerous”) and tendency to withdraw into his own world, acknowledging that “there are days when it’s hard to be Charlie’s sister.” Yet she also documents Charlie’s talents and the good times they share. Her often-silent brother has taught Callie important lessons, among them “love doesn’t always come from what you say. It can also come from what you do
.” Throughout, Callie demonstrates maturity and loyalty: “We love Charlie strong. We watch over him with the might of angels. We have to.” Equally expressive, Evans’s (When Gorilla Goes Walking
) mixed-media art features closeup images of the siblings and their parents and conveys the wide range of emotions all experience. The authors’ postscripts offer background and advice for families dealing with someone with autism. Ages 6–10.

March 1, 2010
PreS-Gr 2-Twins Callie and Charlie have a lot in common, but they are also very different: Charlie has autism. Callie narrates the story, describing what autism is and exploring the issues that come along with it. The theme is of love, patience, and acceptance. Endnotes give a few basic facts for children unfamiliar with the disorder. The authors, a mother-daughter team, based this story on personal experience. Evans's bright, mixed-media illustrations skillfully depict the family's warmth and concern. Pair this with Ouisie Shapiro's "Autism and Me: Sibling Stories" (Albert Whitman, 2009) to raise awareness and understanding of autism. This title should have a place in most library collections."Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2010
Grades K-3 In an honest, simple narrative, young Callie talks about how much she loves her autistic twin brother, Charlie, and how much they share. As she explains what autism is and how her family cares for Charlie, she also speaks frankly about challenges. The mixed-media illustrations, in bright, opaque colors, show the loving connections in Callies African American family, as well as the tension and anger. Charlie does so many things well: he plays the piano, for example. Sometimes he supports his sister, and he has an incredible bond with their dog. Still, there are days when its hard to be Charlies sister. . . . Sometimes he can ruin the best playdates; other times he wont speak. Warm but never sentimental, this welcome picture book is based on the mother-and-daughter authors' experiences, and a beautiful photo of the authors family appears on the back cover, while a personal concluding note offers more facts. A great choice for introducing the subject of autism to young children or for starting discussion in any family dealing with disability.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)