Annual Autism Awareness Giveaway Hop



Because I feel it is a worthy thing to spread awareness of diseases, I decided to join the Autism Awareness Hop along with the hosts I Am a Reader, Not a Writer, Just Another Book Addict, Fire and Ice Photo, and Page Turners. Autism is one of those diseases on the rise. Whether because it is now being more correctly diagnosed or because there are more cases of it, it's still something that everyone needs to be aware of. Autism Speaks is a great site with current info about autism and strides being made in treatments, cures, and discovering the causes of autism.



Several years ago I read a book written by a woman who had autism. It was a fascinating autobiographical look into her mind, to see why she did the things she did, how the world was affecting her, and how she fought to live as normally as possible. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the book or the author, which is so disappointing because I'd love to read it again. If any of you have any idea what the book is, please let me know.

Recently I read a fiction book called Unlocked: A Love Story. This is the blurb:

Before You Take a Stand ... You've Got to Take a Chance. Holden Harris is an eighteen-year-old locked in a prison of autism. Despite his quiet ways and quirky behaviors, Holden is very happy and socially normal---on the inside, in a private world all his own. In reality, he is bullied at school by kids who only see that he is very different. Ella Reynolds is part of the 'in' crowd. A cheerleader and star of the high school drama production, her life seems perfect. When she catches Holden listening to her rehearse for the school play, she is drawn to him ... the way he is drawn to the music. Then, Ella makes a dramatic discovery---she and Holden were best friends as children. Frustrated by the way Holden is bullied, and horrified at the indifference of her peers, Ella decides to take a stand against the most privileged and popular kids at school, including her boyfriend, Jake. Ella believes miracles can happen in the unlikeliest places, and that just maybe an entire community might celebrate from the sidelines. But will Holden's praying mother and the efforts of Ella and a cast of theater kids be enough to unlock the prison that contains Holden? This time, friendship, faith, and the power of a song must be strong enough to open the doors to the miracle Holden needs.

I loved this book. The author switched POV's from Ella, Holden's mom, and Holden himself. It was fascinating to see all their different thoughts on why he was doing some of the "weird" things he was doing, and then to see from Holden's POV exactly why he was doing it. It was great watching Holden't journey as he fights to come out of his own world and rejoin the "real" world. I thought it was fitting for this giveaway to give a copy of this book. (Domestic Only)

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