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Benjamin Simon is a twelve-year-old high school freshman on the autism spectrum who lives with his parents in Boston. He is a mathematics prodigy with an encyclopedic knowledge of dinosaurs. Unfortunately, his diminutive size, lack of social skills, and tendency to spout random dinosaur facts make it difficult for Benjamin to form friendships. He is frequently the victim of bullying. When stressed and overstimulated, Benjamin has meltdowns that include biting, pacing, and arm flapping, which only exacerbate his peers’ ridicule. When he receives an invitation from a classmate to play video games after school, Benjamin is cautiously optimistic that he may finally be making new friends. Instead, he suddenly finds himself a suspect in a murder investigation. Thrust into the custody of the Department of Youth Services, Benjamin maintains his innocence while navigating a system fraught with gangs, violence, subpar education, and jaded officials.
This is a compelling portrayal of societal prejudice against neurodivergent individuals. Bohn delivers a harsh indictment of the juvenile justice system and law enforcement’s lack of community education. Written from the main character’s perspective, the book provides insight into the challenges of being an autistic child surrounded by neurotypical peers and adults. Benjamin’s quirky, self-deprecating inner dialogue infuses humor into his painful account of social isolation resulting from his inability to read facial expressions and social cues. Vivid depictions of germophobia, anxiety, and compulsive thoughts reveal the complexities of living with autism. The author uses powerful imagery to convey Benjamin’s intolerance of noises, smells, and textures: “…ambulance sirens pierce my ears like needles.” Most importantly, Bohn characterizes autism not as a condition needing to be fixed but one that requires understanding. Benjamin states, “I am what I am, and I like who I am....” This bold declaration challenges readers to celebrate the uniqueness autism engenders.