Karina and Matthew talk about representation of neurodiverse individuals, giving authentic voice in children's literature, and building empathy for all students. Joining is special guest Elana K. Arnold, author of A Boy Called Bat and its sequels.

This episode is sponsored by our Book Riot Blind Dates with Books contest, by OwlCrate Jr, a subscription box for middle grade readers, and by Naked Mole Rat Saves the World by Karen Rivers, new from Algonquin Young Readers.

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RELEVANT LINKS:

National Symposium on Neurodiversity at Syracuse University

NeuroWonderful - Ask an Autistic vlog with Amethyst Schaber

Voices of Autism - Panel 1: Young Adults on the Spectrum (Seattle Pacific University)

The Schneider Family Book Award

Elana K. Arnold

BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW:

Picture Books:

The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar; illustrated by Alea Marley

This Beach Is Loud! by Samantha Cotterill (Little Senses series)

Nope. Never. Not for Me! by Samantha Cotterill (Little Senses series)

Why Johnny Doesn’t Flap by Clay Morton and Gail Morton; illustrated by Alex Merry

My Brother Otto by Meg Raby and illustrated by Elisa Pallmer

Benji, the Bad Day and Me by Sally J. Pla and illustrated by Ken Min

A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey and illustrated by Mika Song

How to Build a Hug: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville; illustrated by Giselle Potter

Middle Grade:

The Someday Birds by Sally J. Pla

See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng

My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi

The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida, translated by KA Yoshida

Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World by Sy Montgomery and Temple Grandin

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

Let us know what books or topics you've been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email ([email protected]), Twitter (@KarinaYanGlaser and @MatthewWinner), or Instagram (@KarinaIsReadingAndWriting and @MatthewCWinner).

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