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The Reason I Jump: one boy's voice from the silence of autism

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( 61,582 ratings, 6,835 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
The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida is an illuminating memoir that offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a young boy with autism. Written when Higashida was only 13, the book provides a heartfelt account of his experiences and challenges, explaining why he acts, perceives, and responds the way he does. Through his voice, readers gain understanding and empathy for those living with autism.
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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 book may appeal to you if you are interested in understanding autism from the perspective of someone who experiences it. Written by a thirteen-year-old with autism, it offers insightful glimpses into his thoughts, challenges, and joys, making it a compelling read for those seeking empathy and awareness.

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The No. 1 Sunday Times and internationally bestselling account of life as a child with autism, now a documentary film Winner of Best Documentary and Best Sound in the British Independent Film Awards 2021.

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
The No. 1 Sunday Times and internationally bestselling account of life as a child with autism, now a documentary film. Winner of Best Documentary and Best Sound in the British Independent Film Awards 2021.

'It will stretch your vision of what it is to be human' Andrew Solomon, The Times

What is it like to have autism? How can we know what a person - especially a child - with autism is thinking and feeling?

This groundbreaking book, written by Naoki Higashida when he was only thirteen, provides some answers. Severely autistic and non-verbal, Naoki learnt to communicate by using a 'cardboard keyboard' - and what he has to say gives a rare insight into an autistically-wired mind.

He explains behaviour he's aware can be baffling, such as why he likes to jump and why some people with autism dislike being touched; he describes how he perceives and navigates the world, sharing his thoughts and feelings about time, life, beauty and nature; and he offers an unforgettable short story.

Proving that people with autism do not lack imagination, humour or empathy, The Reason I Jump made a major impact on its publication in English. Widely praised, it was an immediate No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller as well as a New York Times bestseller and has since been published in over thirty languages.

In 2020, a documentary film based on the book received its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Jerry Rothwell, produced by Jeremy Dear, Stevie Lee and Al Morrow, and funded by Vulcan Productions and the British Film Institute, it won the festival's Audience Award for World Cinema Documentary, then further awards at the Vancouver, Denver and Valladolid International Film Festivals before its global release in 2021.

The book includes eleven original illustrations inspired by Naoki's words, by the artistic duo Kai and Sunny.

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?

Naoki Higashida's The Reason I Jump is widely praised for providing an extraordinary insight into the experience of autism from the perspective of a young autistic boy. The book is lauded for challenging misconceptions about autism, displaying empathy, humour, and imagination in its accounts. With heartfelt and poetic prose, reviews highlight its capacity to change perceptions, acting as a bridge between autistic and neurotypical worlds, while offering both wisdom and simplicity.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529375701

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 April 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Sceptre

Contributors:

  • Translated by David Mitchell
  • Translated by Keiko Yoshida

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 141g

Pages: 192

About the Author

Naoki Higashida was born in Kimitsu, Japan in 1992. Diagnosed with non-verbal autism as a child, he learnt how to communicate using an alphabet grid and when he was thirteen wrote The Reason I Jump. Published in Japan in 2007, its English translation in 2013 was widely acclaimed and became a No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller as well as a New York Times bestseller. It has since been published in over thirty languages.

Higashida's sequel to the book, Fall Down Seven Times, Get Up Eight, about living with autism from his perspective as a young adult, was published in Japan in 2015. An English-language edition, including new material and a short story Higashida wrote especially for it, was published in 2017 and was in turn a Sunday Times bestseller. He has also written children's books, poems and essays.

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  • The Reason I Jump: one boy's voice from the silence of autism
    Written by Naoki Higashida when he was only thirteen, this remarkable book provides rare insight into the often baffling behaviour of autistic children. Using a question and answer format, Naoki explains things like why he talks loudly or repeats the same questions, what causes him to have panic attacks, and why he likes to jump. He also shows the way...
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    β€œOne of the most remarkable books I’ve ever read. It’s truly moving, eye-opening, incredibly vivid.”—Jon Stewart, The Daily Show NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR β€’ The Wall Street Journal β€’ Bloomberg Business β€’ Bookish FINALIST FOR THE BOOKS FOR A BETTER LIFE FIRST BOOK AWARD β€’ NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER You’ve never read a...
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  • Fall Down Seven Times, Get Up Eight
    The Sunday Times bestseller Naoki Higashida met international success with The Reason I Jump, a revelatory account of life as a thirteen-year-old with non-verbal autism. Now he offers an equally illuminating insight into autism from his perspective as a young adult. In concise, engaging pieces, he shares his thoughts and feelings on a broad menu of topics ranging from school...
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