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

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

By: Naoki Higashida, David Mitchell - translator, Keiko Yoshida - translator
Narrated by: David Mitchell, Thomas Judd
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The No. 1 Sunday Times and internationally bestselling account of life as a child with autism, now an award-winning documentary film.

'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.©2013 Naoki Higashida Children's Health Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Neurodiversity Relationships Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Autism
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Critic reviews

An extraordinary account of how autism feels from the inside.
The most remarkable book of the year. The book throws a pontoon bridge over the chasm dividing autistic and neuro-typical experience. (Charlotte Moore, Books of the Year 2013)
The Reason I Jump reads effortlessly, each page challenging preconceptions that autistic people lack empathy, humour or imagination.
This is a wonderful book. I defy anyone not to be captivated, charmed and uplifted by it. But above all, you will never feel the same about autism again.
The freshness of voice coexists with so much wisdom . . . it will stretch your vision of what it is to be human.
Impossible to forget.
All stars
Most relevant

Would you listen to The Reason I Jump again? Why?

The book is written very well so would definitely listen to it again

What did you like best about this story?

Found the whole book interesting and it made me really think how to care for children like the author

What does David Mitchell and Thomas Judd bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I find it easier to remember the story when it's read to me

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I think it would be quite difficult to make a film out of this book you would need to make a film about the author

Any additional comments?

If you have any interest in SEN CHILDREN definitely listen to or read this book

BRILLIANT

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Plenty of interesting insights about autism. All question answered by Japanese autistic person are joyfull and hopeful. His stories are also very good. Narration well done. Would reccomend this book.

wonderful audiobook about autism

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This book doesn't give guidance on how handle dealing with Autistic children but an understanding on why.
I really enjoyed expanding on my understanding and gaining additional knowledge.

I work with Autistic children. This book helps. x

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes and to anyone working with autistic children, because it helps us to understand a bit more and to be more compassionate in daily living with people who are autistic.

What other book might you compare The Reason I Jump to, and why?

I have nothing to compare it with

Which character – as performed by David Mitchell and Thomas Judd – was your favourite?

They were all one.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. The questions put forward are often different ways of asking the same thing so I prefered to listen in sections. I understand that this was probably for the boys comfort and to get a more extensive answer on the subject matter in question.

Any additional comments?

A very interesting listen, worth spreading the word about.

A brilliant insight

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Being mum of autistic girl I wish everyone would read this book to understand how much struggle our children have to go through and stop judging them by their appearance. The book gives you good understanding of autistic minds. Definitely looking at my girl with more patience, understanding and strength in this difficult times.

Brilliant

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