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My Brother Charlie is a great book conceived by Ryan Robinson Peete, who is 13 years old and whose twin brother has autism.
In this book, Callie tells the fictional story of her brother Charlie, explaining that at first she didn’t understand why he acted the way he did, and how she wanted him to act like other brothers, but then coming around to share what is special and unique and wonderful about “my brother Charlie.”
This book does a great job of explaining how kids on the autism spectrum are different from some kids, and how they are the same as other kids. I think that this would be an excellent book for siblings of children with special needs who wonder why their sibling is “different,” but also for grandparents and friends and people who just don’t seem to understand.
My Brother Charlie just touches the surface, but it tells just enough to open people’s eyes or give them a little bit of understand about the different world that a family that includes someone on the autism spectrum experiences.
But this is also a great book that any of today’s kids would enjoy. They are already so sensitive to differently-abled kids (at least mine are because of integration in their schools), so I think that what used to be “taboo” is safe to talk about it, and we’ve all benefited from that. I think that the more information kids — and their parents — have on the way that all kinds of people work, the better.
Holly Robinson Peete is Ryan’s mother, and co-wrote it with her, but this is not your typical celebrity vehicle. She has been an autism fundraiser and awareness-raiser for a long time. Ryan does in fact have a twin brother who is on the autism spectrum, but she is not Callie, and he is not Charlie. However, this family’s experiences have helped them write this meaningful book.
Watch this video to see the book come to life:
Coinciding with Autism Awareness Month, I am so pleased to be able to offer a copy of My Brother Charlie to three of you (U.S. addresses only) — one of you will receive an autographed copy!
Please leave a comment, and we’ll announce the winners in the April 26th 5 Minutes for Books column right here.
I don’t have a winner to announce because last week’s giveaway is still open. Enter to win your choice of one of the Readable Classics right now!
If you like book giveaways, we have SIX giveaways open right now at 5 Minutes for Books. Check them out!
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book to review.
Julie (Knitting and Sundries) says
I don’t know if the giveaway is still open or not, but I want to thank you for highlighting this book. My son was diagnosed at 3 1/2 with PDD/NOS and I was told he would NEVER be mainstreamed. I worked very hard with him, reading up on all of the available therapy, putting him on a gluten-free diet and using vitamin therapy. I slowly began socializing him, and I am now proud to say that he is one of the top students in his school, and has friends, and is functioning very well. Of course, he still has the frustrations, but I taught him some coping skills and just repeated and repeated and repeated things like, “That’s not socially acceptable THIS is what you do when you feel that way.” I’m going to get this book for HIM, so that he can see that it’s not really just him that feels the way he does sometimes.
Annette W says
This would be great to help a sibling deal with any special needs, I suspect.
heather c says
I come into contact with more and more people dealing with autism. This should be required reading, so others who aren’t dealing with it will have a bit of understanding.
James Coyne says
Enter me please
Sharon Stoudt says
My 9 year old son has moderate-to-severe autism. We’ve come so far with him, but still have so far to go. What a great resource to help ‘typical’ kids understand how a child on the spectrum sees the world!
Gianna says
Please enter me 🙂
kristi edwards says
I have heard great things about this book, it is amazing what Holly is doing to help autistic children. I would love to win.
kathy pease says
Thank you for the Great giveaway please count me in 🙂
Lily Kwan says
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
Renee G says
This looks like a great book.
[email protected](DOT)com
Rebecca says
This book looks great!
Charlene says
My nephew would love this. Thanks for offering it 🙂
Marc says
A nice, heartfelt book I would love to educate my children with.
Melissa B. says
Sounds like a sweet story.
Deb says
Sounds like a great book! Would love a copy!
Wani says
My second son has dramatic global developmental delays and is likely on the autism spectrum (though not yet diagnosed as such). We would love to have this book to help our older son understand him better. May have to buy it if I don’t win! 😉
Lela Wilson says
I would love to receive a copy of this book for my six year old son to read and relate better to children with autism, and then pass it along to one of my church members who one of her 3 sons has autism. Sounds like this could really help her other sons.
LaNette says
Looks like a good book! Would love to win!!
Mellissa C says
I would love to read this book and learn ore about this condition.
dj says
please sign me up
angie says
This would be great for the classroom.
Nicole C. says
I would love to win this book.
susan says
I would love to read this to my daughter.
Michele Anne says
Really wouls be great to win…..sign me up
Susan says
What a fantastic book. It is so important that we teach all children about autism. (This is Susan here, so please don’t count this comment as an entry in the giveaway.)
Shannon Baas says
I would like this for my friends kids.
Rebecca says
This book looks great…please enter me in this one. It’s great for all kids…not only kids who are personally dealing with autism.
Melissa A. says
I would love to have a copy to share with my students, who are struggling to relate for one of our classmates with autism. Thanks for getting the word out about this book!
John Ferris says
The children would like this book.
Mary K aka angmag55 says
I would Love to read this book as I have a Nephew with Autism and we are very proud of him as he is now getting his 2nd Degree from Collage his first one was in Computer Science and now he is going for his History degree. He is very knowing in History around the world and He can argue Politics till the cows come home!! LOL We all cherish him in our Family!!
Beth C says
I’d love to have this book. Thanks for the chance!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Angel Ledbetter says
I would love to get this book for a friend of mine who has an autistic son! It sounds like such a wonderful book!
Kirsten T. says
Love to read this…before having kids, I used to take care of several autistic boys…varying levels on the spectrum. Thanks.
Jenn says
Would love to win! I have been watching Holly Robinson Pete on the Celebrity Apprentice where she is trying to win money for her autism charity.
Veggiemomof2 says
As a mother of a child on the autism spectrum, I’d love this book to share w/my daughter & other family members!
Laura says
I would love a copy of this book. I work with autistic kids in the summer and it would be nice to have! thanks for a chance! 🙂
Angie L. says
I would love to have this book. One of my 3 children has just been diagnosed with PDDNOS (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and this book sounds like it might be helpful for our family.
Eternal Lizdom says
I picked up this book at Target when I was perusing for ideas on what to read to my daughter’s pre-K class a few weeks back… I cried in the aisle. It’s a beautiful book. I took it and read it to a bunch of 3-5 year olds and they were so intent and open to it. They asked some great questions when it was done. I love this book!!
Barbara Manatee says
I am a teacher for students with Autism and I am always looking for new books and resources that help explain Autism to other students. Thanks for sharing this one and the chance to win it!
Elena says
This is a really terrific book! It’s got really deep meanings – but so great for kids. I know another great book Its The Littluns Book – You have to check it out. It isn’t just for kids a family kind of book. http://www.thelittlunsbook.com. Good Luck everyone!
Carolyn says
Please count me in. This would be great for school.
Some Lucky Dog says
Thanks, this would be a great way to explain autism to other kids that don’t understand…
katklaw777 says
Like to win this book and donate it to my local library, thanks.
Jenell Hunter says
This is great! I’d love to have this for my son!
Roxanne D. says
That sounds like a wonderful book for all children to read and to raise awareness! I would love to win this for my 2 sons! 🙂
Nanette ~ AMomBlog says
Oh I would love to win this book and share it with my daughter and my son and my son’s school and classmates.
Linda Kish says
I’ve heard about this book. Count me in, please.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
NTE says
I’d love to read this – thanks for the opportunity.
Robyn says
I know I can’t win ( I live in Canada), but I justed wanted to say thank-you! My 6year old son has ASD and we are in the process of explaining this to our 8 year old daughter. It is tough on her because it hard to fully understand as an adult never mind a child. So thank-you for helping to getting out the awarness.
Heather says
I would love to win this! I work with several Autistic kids!
Tomi says
I would love to win this book and donate to our school library.
Jenn says
I have been wanting this book for my daughter- our son is autistic and this book looks like a wonderful resource for any family with a special needs member. Thanks so much for the great giveaway!! 🙂
Rachel C says
I’m a teacher so would love to have this book in my classroom!
Sarah at themommylogues says
I’d love that book! My nephew’s autistic.
Elizabeth N. says
I would love to win this book for the library at work. I work in a non-profit for kids with autism and other issues, and this would be a wonderful resource to have for the siblings and families!