Jackson Whole Wyoming by Joan Clark

Clark, Joan. Jackson Whole Wyoming. Shawnee Mission, Kansas: Autism Asperger Publishing Co., 2005.

This intriguing novel delves into the lives of two fifth grade boys, one of which has Asperger Syndrome. Tyler, the boy who does not have the syndrome explains how he feels about Jackson through retelling stories of previous years in grade school. At some points in the story Tyler questions whether he is Jackson's friend or if he even wants to be his friend. Tyler describes how Jackson is extremely smart and takes everything somebody says in the most literal sense of the word. Tyler's struggle to figure out what his relationship with Jackson ensues and whether or not he wants to present Jackson with the class gift for him before he moves creates a great novel for students of all ages.

Joan Clark is very much interested in the issue of Autism and Asperger Syndrome. She is a licensed speech and language Pathologist and has worked in several public schools. She has also served on the Autism Spectrum Disorders Assessment Team in the Macon-Piatt Special Education District. Because she clearly has an intensive background on autism and Asperger Syndrome I thought this would be a great book to include in my collection.

Clark's magnificent view of the world through two very different boys is perhaps the greatest part of the novel as a whole. Through Tyler's eyes, one can see how children struggle to and react to things that are different in their lives and through Jackson's eyes one can see the differences and similarities a child can bring to the lives of others.