School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up-McCreary was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum in 2001, at age five. His younger brother had recently been diagnosed, and his parents were concerned about some of his own behaviors. After three different psychologists' visits, each relayed in five-year-old comical perspective, he was finally given the diagnosis that would shape his future. McCreary's memoir articulates the often hilarious side of growing up with sensory issues, hypersensitivity, fixations, and quirks while not shying away from the more painful aspects. Oftentimes funny, other times heartbreaking stories of navigating school, friendships, and relationships with girls keep readers invested in the narrative. Interspersed among the humor and touching anecdotes are text boxes and sidebars that educate neurotypical readers about the reality of the disorder. McCreary offers thoughtful, positive counsel for "Aspie" readers as well as advice to those who may encounter Aspies on how to connect with them without fear or judgement. VERDICT Delightfully engaging and informative, this is a noteworthy addition to a school or public library.-Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A breezy, upbeat memoir from a 22-year-old Canadian autism advocate and stand-up comic.Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age 5, McCreary is quite unlike the stereotypical Aspie (a term he uses interchangeably with autistic person, person on the spectrum, and similar phrases): hopeless at math but extroverted, verbose, and in love with performing. He repeatedly emphasizes that ASD manifests differently in everyoneindeed, his younger brother, also autistic, is in many ways his polar opposite. He recounts his journey to his dream of becoming a professional comedian, including triumphs and humiliations, family, teachers, friends, and enemies, all in a wry, self-deprecating voice peppered with innumerable pop-culture references and relentless optimism. Along the way, he provides an intimate glimpse of one autistic person's inner life, highlighting common experiences, explaining widespread coping mechanisms, and demolishing popular misconceptions. Some readers might yearn for his advantages of economic means, supportive community, and excellent, well-funded special needs programs in the public schools; still, he acknowledges his struggles with living independently and that some persons with ASD may never achieve that. Nonetheless, the hard-won lessons he sharesbe understanding, don't judge, live for the moment, never give up, and "shut up and listen"are worthwhile for autistic and neurotypical alike."I didn't want to be inspirational; I just wanted to be funny." Happily he manages to be both. (Memoir. 12-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
McCreary is the AspieComic, a stand-up comedian whose routine focuses on his experiences growing up on the autism spectrum. Over the course of this memoir, he covers what a diagnosis includes and what it is like to live in a neurotypical world, where stereotypes and misunderstandings about autism abound. His comparison to a character sheet in Dungeons & Dragons with one attribute at 100 percent and everything else at 15 percent is particularly apt and useful. He explains the difference between high- and low-functioning autism as not being a measure of intelligence but rather of how much independence or assistance one needs to get through the day. Throughout the book he stresses that there is no one-size-fits-all definition of what it means to be on the spectrum. Other topics include dealing with bullies, standing up for oneself in the face of ill-informed individuals, and learning not only how to be independent but also how to gauge to what extent one can achieve that. McCreary's narrative is fresh, zippy, and funny while at the same time engrossing and enlightening.--Donna Scanlon Copyright 2019 Booklist
