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Please Don’t Hug Me

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( 744 ratings, 155 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Please Don’t Hug Me is a heartfelt story featuring an autistic teenager called Erin, who is navigating her final year of high school. As she deals with social challenges, family dynamics, and her own self-discovery, Erin's journey offers an honest and insightful perspective into her world. The book beautifully captures the complexity of growing up and finding one's place, all through the lens of Erin's unique experiences.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This engaging children's book offers a heartfelt exploration of the life of an autistic teenager navigating high school challenges. You might enjoy this story if you appreciate narratives that delve into the complexities of growing up, embrace themes of self-discovery, and offer a unique perspective on relationships and personal growth.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A powerful and funny story from a debut Australian writer, for fans of Simone Howell’s Girl, Defective and Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl.

A powerful and funny Own Voices story from a debut Australian writer, for fans of Simone Howell's Girl, Defective and Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A funny-serious story about what happens when you stop trying to be the person other people expect you to be and give yourself a go.

Erin is looking forward to Schoolies, at least she thinks she is. But things are not going to plan. Life is getting messy, and for Erin, who is autistic, that’s a big problem. She’s lost her job at Surf Zone after an incident that clearly was not her fault. Her driving test went badly even though she followed the instructions perfectly. Her boyfriend is not turning out to be the romantic type. And she’s missing her brother, Rudy, who left almost a year ago.

But now that she’s writing letters to him, some things are beginning to make just a tiny bit of sense.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Please Don’t Hug Me is praised for its authentic portrayal of autism and its central character, Erin. The book strikes a balance between humour and seriousness, offering a heartwarming and intimate look at self-acceptance and authenticity. It is recognised for its insightful approach to themes of finding one's place in the world, and it is recommended for readers both neurodiverse and neurotypical. Reviewers highlight its significance in Australian young adult fiction and commend its exploration of grief, identity, and emotions.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781922268051

Publisher: Text Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 April 2020

Country: Australia

Imprint: The Text Publishing Company

Audience: Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 288

About the Author

Kay Kerr is a former journalist and community newspaper editor from Brisbane, now living on the Sunshine Coast with her husband and daughter and working as a freelance writer. Kay was writing the first draft of Please Don’t Hug Me, her first book, when she received her own autism-spectrum diagnosis.

Also by Kay Kerr

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    I thought I was nobody’s teen crush, but turns out I was just missing the signs. Zoe Kelly is starting a new phase of her life. High school was a mess of bullying and autistic masking that left her burnt out and shut down. Now, with an internship at an online media company—the first step on the road to her...
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