In this year’s Book Bingo, the neuro-diverse protagonist or author square invites us to journey into the world of a person whose modes of thinking and ways of processing the world differ from those of the mainstream population. Neurodiversity, often associated with disabilities like autism or ADHD, can sometimes lead to deep connections, groundbreaking insights, innovation, and art. It can also pose significant, sometimes disabling challenges for those who experience it—the world can be very loud, bright and filled with social expectations that a neuro-diverse person may not be able to intuit, or may not wish to fulfill.
In this list, we aim to transcend stereotypes and elevate the voices of neurodivergent people by highlighting four authors who are themselves neuro-diverse, and six books by those authors—fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and graphic novel—which feature neuro-diverse characters
Author Jen Wilde (FICTION) – Wilde, who is autistic, writes books for teens and adults that feature relatable, realistic characters as well as humor, LGBTQIA+ romance, girl power, and body positivity. Queens of Geek follows a group of young women on a coming-of-age adventure to a science fiction convention. The Brightsiders features a young woman in a helpless romantic situation who is the drummer in a hit band.
Author Marieke Nijkamp (FICTION) – Nijkamp’s fiction is serious and deep, showcasing the complex lives of characters who are, in one way or another, outsiders. Before I Let Go is a story of loss and secrets, set in Alaska. The Oracle Code is a graphic novel, whose protagonist solves a frightening mystery from her wheelchair. Nijkamp herself is autistic and an outspoken proponent of centering discourse about autism in the diverse voices of autistic people, rather than in the observations and ideas of researchers, caregivers, and loved ones.
Author Cynthia Kim (NONFICTION) – In her book Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate: A User Guide to an Asperger Life, Kim describes her experiences as a woman and mother living with Asperger’s and offers insight and advice to others. Her work may be of particular interest to women and girls, who have been diagnosed with autism or believe they could be on the spectrum.
Author David Finch (MEMOIR) – In The Journal of Best Practices: A Memoir of Marriage, Asperger Syndrome, and One Man’s Quest to Be A Better Husband, author Finch describes the transformative experience of realizing that he likely had Asperger’s. Prior to this epiphany, Finch had felt that the social barriers and sensory sensitivities he experienced were faults and personal failures. With Asperger’s as a framework, he found he could embrace these traits as valid cognitive differences and use this knowledge to solve problems in his life.
Many additional ideas for this Book Bingo square can be found in this book list. If you would like to learn more about neurodiversity, we are glad to help! Ask a Librarian, any time.
Happy reading!
For more ideas for books to meet your Summer Book Bingo challenge, follow our Shelf Talk #BookBingoNW2020 series or check the hashtag #BookBingoNW2020 on social media. Book bingo is presented in partnership with Seattle Arts & Lectures .
~posted by Anne C.
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