The Unlikely Heroes Club by Kate Foster

Blurb from the author web page: Eleven-year-old Oli is spending his school holidays at Heroes Club, where kids can build friendships and learn about their emotions, but Oli just wants to be home … where it's familiar, not-so-boring and he can play his favourite game. But when Oli and the other kids at the club see a stray dog who keeps disappearing into a soon-to-be-demolished building across the street, Oli and his four fellow heroes hatch a daring rescue plan to save the dog before it's too late. It's going to take bravery, some seriously smart teamwork … and a few broken rules.

One of the best insights into Oli's autism comes when he talks about his sensory issues - fabric of his clothing that at times feels so uncomfortable; the smells around him good and bad - he has an acute sense of every smell; bright lights; and of course, noise. Oli is also a boy who needs routines, and I loved the way his mother and sister were able to accommodate this. His sister only has a small role in this story but I did want to offer her a hug for her kindness and deep understanding of her brother. I also wanted to know a little more about each of the kids in the club - especially Brian; Layla and Max.

Here are brief teachers notes from the publisher. 

A beautifully evolving story of finding the strengths within. Reading Time

This review has lots of plot details. You can meet Kate Foster in this interview with Paperbark words. 

The Unlikely Heroes Club is a 2024 CBCA Notable title in the Younger Readers category. I did shed a tear at the end when all the kids in the Heroes Club write honest appraisals of each group member. 

My only reservation with this book is that I feel it is important to know Oli will still be Oli at the end of the story - this club experience is not designed to 'cure' Oli but rather to give him coping strategies and also the extra benefit of making new friends who also find aspects of daily life difficult. 

CBCA Judges comments: Contemplating the world from the perspective of 11-year-old Oli, the reader of this book vicariously joins Oli, his family, peers and therapists as they participate in a holiday program. The program supports young people to build social skills and develop friendships with other neurodiverse preteens. However, they learn the best from their team effort to rescue a stray dog, which adds mystery and intrigue. The love and struggle of families living with autism are presented in a way that is humorous whilst being painfully close to the truth. This book affirms autism and provides a nuanced view for those seeking a better understanding. Its design features are age-appropriate and engaging. A delight to read, it sensitively explores inclusion, respect, challenge, acceptance, family relationships, and neurodiversity.

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

 

"The secret to surviving childhood

so far has been knowing when 

to keep my mouth shut.

But I am not a child anymore.

I have feelings.

I have thoughts.

I have the right to express them both."

I have no idea how to talk about this book because it has affected me so deeply so I am just going to share the blurb and some review comments and then say every high school library and public library should have this book - if you have a book shopping list add this title to the top of your list now. As Colby Sharp says (see link below) this is a book for teacher, teacher-librarians, gate keepers and all sorts of readers - bullies, kids with weight issues, and every other kid too. 

'It seems like these rules

would make you think about

and hate your body

every minute of every day.'

'That's what society wants.'

'What about what you want, Ellie?' ...

'I want people to accept me,

just as I am.'

Blurb: Ever since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she's been bullied about her weight. To cope, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Rules like "no making waves," "avoid eating in public," and "don't move so fast that your body jiggles." And she's found her safe space her swimming pool where she feels weightless in a fat-obsessed world. In the water, she can stretch herself out like a starfish and take up all the room she wants. It's also where she can get away from her pushy mom, who thinks criticizing Ellie's weight will motivate her to diet. Fortunately, Ellie has allies in her dad, her therapist, and her new neighbor, Catalina, who loves Ellie for who she is. With this support buoying her, Ellie might finally be able to cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life by unapologetically being her own fabulous self.

Here is Colby Sharp talking about Starfish. "This is a book you NEED to read!" "You need to experience this story."

This is absolutely on point when it comes to modern feelings about body image in young girls, and shows Ellie's struggles in a way I haven't seen very often in middle grade books. This is not a book about a girl struggling to lose weight (as books in the past would have been), but a book about a girl struggling to come to terms with her body and the people around her who constantly harass her. Ms Yingling

The text places readers in Ellie’s shoes, showing how she is attacked in many spaces—including by strangers on public transit—while clearly asserting that it’s other people who need to change. ... Make room in your heart for this cathartic novel. Kirkus Star review

I have had this book on my "to buy or borrow" list since reviewers first talked about it back in 2021. Every word of praise for this book is true - this is an engrossing, heart-breaking story of courage. I loved every word of this honest and emotional verse novel.

Awards - a selection:

• 2022 Association for Library Service to Children Notable Children’s Book
• 2022 International Literacy Association Notable Books for a Global Society Award Winner
• 2022 National Council of Teachers of English
• Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book
• 2022 NCTE/Children’s Literature Assembly
• 2021 Internationale Jugendbibliothek  White Raven

Starfish is available in English, Turkish, Korean, Spanish, Chinese and large print.

I would pair this book with;

Out of my Mind