Slug Days

September 25, 2017
Lauren, a girl on the autism spectrum, takes readers through a week full of ups and downs in this sensitively told story. The book’s title refers to how Lauren thinks of days that aren’t going well, when she feels “slow and slimy” and friendless. And with classmates, teachers, and other adults who find her frustrating at times, Lauren has a few of those days as the week unfolds. The first-person narration lets readers understand Lauren’s motivations and reasoning in a way that others in her life often do not (including her focus on tactile sensations, especially stickiness). Bender’s pencil drawings readily reflect characters’ frustrations and other emotions—feelings that Lauren acknowledges she has trouble recognizing. Leach’s empathetic novel should both open eyes and encourage greater patience and understanding. Ages 7–10.

September 1, 2017

Gr 3-6-Lauren, who has Asperger's syndrome, has trouble reading social cues, doesn't always understand what her classmates are thinking, and gets into fights. Sometimes she has "slug days," where she feels slow, slimy, and like no one understands her. But sometimes she has "butterfly days," where she gets a sticker at school for being well-behaved and shares an ice cream with her mom afterwards. With the help of her routines, her squishy ball, and her special strawberry eraser, Lauren learns to manage her feelings, and eventually makes a new friend at school. There is humor peppered throughout the story as Lauren learns to deal with her slobbery baby sister and tries not to "flip her lid." There is conflict, as her teacher and classmates learn to accept Lauren's differences. The frequent illustrations will assist readers in understanding Lauren's feelings. VERDICT A necessary addition to elementary school libraries and a potential spark for a discussion about autism, Asperger's, or simply embracing differences.-Morgan O'Reilly, Riverdale Country School, NY

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