The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Author Mark Haddon
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Mark Haddon
Doubleday, 2003
ISBN 0-965-75089-2
Ideal for Young adult and adult
4.5 out of 5 Stars on Amazon.com
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Reviewed by Anna Stewart
Challenges: Aspergers, divorce, betrayal
Tip: If your strong reader is ready for the idea of a parent betraying a child, then this book is highly readable by a wide range of readers.
Christopher, a 15 year old with a very different approach to life, 'writes' his story. It opens with him finding the neighbor’s dog killed with a garden fork in the middle of the night. When he decides to solve the case, we meet his teachers, neighbors, parents, and other adults but as is typical of kids like him, no other friends. Set in England, he attends a school for kids with special needs. Christopher has Aspergers' syndrome, an autistic-like syndrome that makes him self-aware but in great need for structure, routine, and predictability in his life.
In his quest to solve the murder, Christopher has to move outside of his comfort zone and knocks on neighbors' doors, have conversations, and ultimately take a train to find his mother. Christopher explains some of his quirks and habits- if he sees 4 yellow cars on the way to school it become s Black Day. He won't eat yellow food and he dislikes novels because they are so full of lies. He goes of f on all kinds of tangents in story but they give his tale texture and interest. Haddon put readers right into Christopher unusual mind but brings us back to the "plot" before the tangents become uncomfortable.
Like any rite-of-passage story, Christopher does things outside of his realm of experience. By the end he solves the murder case, finds his mother, and realizes he is capable of much more than he or anyone else thought.
Though there are other books with characters like Christopher, they are usually about him and not by him. This book stands out. Through the carefully constructed portrayal of Christopher's mind, readers are likely to find connections, leading to understanding and ultimately to compassion. Like most kids, Christopher likes what he likes and doesn't like what he doesn't like. And he's loved for who is is, not who he isn't.
Purchase Book on Amazon.com
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time; $9.60
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