Kate Foster is back with another paw-some and emotionally-intelligent book with her tried and tested trio of family, friendship and dogs coming up trumps once again. It’s the school holidays and eleven-year-old Oli would really like to be spending it at home, eating pizza and designing a house on his favourite app. Instead, his mum is carting him off to Heroes Club so he can learn about his emotions and become more socially aware. Oli’s mood lifts when he spots a dog disappearing into an abandoned building. Sighting the dog more often, he knows it needs help. With the building scheduled for demolition and the adults not listening, a plan is needed. Can Oli and the other children become unlikely heroes and save the day… Kate has firmly established herself as a brilliant author of intelligent and necessary middle-grade reads that honestly and perceptively portray experiences of autism, mental health and neurodiversity. The Unlikely Heroes Club is another perfectly pitched and astutely aware read that will resonate with and be welcomed by many children and their families.
I really enjoyed my week at Hero Club! This fun school holiday club story with a difference as autistic and resourceful children find the courage to help a dog in need, uncover a mystery and discover friendship proves anything is possible and is a joyous and heartfelt celebration of personal growth and the strength of children to do that that seems impossible. In a complicated and challenging world that just isn’t designed for those with autism, Kate offers hope and inspiration in a ‘tail’ filled with empathy, understanding and valuable messages. Autism is such a wide umbrella and Kate’s carefully written characters allow for a breadth of experiences and representation; Oli and the four other children all have their own unique traits as does one of the leaders, who is also autistic. The daily lessons are brilliant - and not just for the juice and biscuits - as we get to learn about life’s many challenges for Oli and the others. Friendship, familial relationships, anxieties, social awkwardness, confidence, self-esteem and sensory overload are all explored with the insightful leaders delivering really helpful strategies, especially around emotional intelligence, interacting with others and self-regulation, that can be used immediately. In life, you cannot always come from where you are at, sometimes you have to come from where someone else is at. Kate gives that valuable window into the world of others; allowing us the chance to place ourselves in another's shoes, to see the world through a different lens, to understand and accept struggles, emotions and experiences even though they are different to our own. Weaving fictional narrative with the realties of autism, Kate has the wonderful knack to educate, entertain and empower, all in the space of a few sentences. Her words are valuable to all but the impact they will have on autistic children who will feel seen, their feelings valued and their experiences recognised is impossible to overstate. Autistic children need to know that it is OK to be different and Kate is at the forefront of writing engaging, accessible and important books that empower youngsters to be themselves and to embrace their inner autistic hero. We do not want children feeling like they have to hide their autism and with Kate’s books - I also highly recommend Harriet Hound and Paws - autistic children, their confidence and their ability to shine in a perfectly imperfect world is in safe hands. An essential addition to homes, classrooms and libraries. Another tail-wagging success! Recommended for 8+. With huge thanks to Walker for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
March 2024
|