BOOKS FOR CHILDREN WITH ASPERGER'S SYNDROME
BLUE BOTTLE MYSTERY
Ben has been having persistent problems both at home and at school. Then, he and his friend, Andy, find an old bottle buried in the school yard. Indirectly, the bottle helps Ben and his family find the source of his problems.
From the Publisher
This is a warm, fun-filled fantasy for children with a difference: the hero is Ben, a boy with Asperger's Syndrome. When Ben and his friend, Andy, find an old bottle in the school yard, they little realize the surprises about to be unleashed in their lives. Bound up with this exciting mystery is the story of how Ben is diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and how he and his family deal with the problems and joys that come along.
"Blue Bottle Mystery" is a delight to read that is more than just another kid's book. For the first time, the issues and frustrations that a child with Asperger's Syndrome may experience are explored with a fictional format especially for children. Its' portrayal of Ben as the central character offers other children with autistic spectrum disorders and their peers a positive role model. It is a valuable teaching tool that demystifies children with Asperger's Syndrome, justifying their individuality as valid and interesting.
In "Blue Bottle Mystery," Kathy Hoopmann has combined her love of children with her passion for fantasy literature to produce a delightful read for anyone who loves and adventure and wants a unique insight into the mind of a child who has Asperger's Syndrome.
From the Critics
Nothing seems to be going right for Ben. Sometimes he has trouble understanding what his teachers are saying and they get frustrated and yell at him. And because he sometimes acts so strangely, he only has one friend, Andy. The boys are in a miserable mood, digging in the dirt in the school yard when they unearth a mysterious blue bottle. Imagining that it belongs to a genie, they leap into a barrage of wishes and gradually their wishes begin to come true. Ben and his father win the lottery, while Andy begins a furious growth spurt that enables him to join the basketball team. Even Ben's behavioral problems are eased when he is diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a kind of autism, and he and his family learn to cope with his condition. Only the mystery of Ben and Andy's forgotten third wish remains, and that resolves itself in a most gratifying way. "Blue Bottle Mystery" is a simple straight forward story with appealing characters. It's a gentle introduction to the challenges and unique qualities of people living with Asperger's and a welcome read for families who have experienced it and similar conditions.
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