Comments on: Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 27 May 2010 13:44:04 +0000

Great book. I think it’s cool that there is no mention of autism. Would have made it seem more like an after school special.

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:06:47 +0000

This is a very interesting discussion. I am quite interested in reading this book now. I do have to say that although I think labels can be detrimental, I have found in myself that in some cases they are helpful. I became aware recently that a teenage boy in my neighborhood was diagnosed with autism as a child. Knowing that helped me see him in a new light. I had always thought of him as a strange kid with weird quirks who is socially inept. When I realized that he had autism it completely changed my view of him. I admire him for how well he does. Having said that, I’m sure I come across as a real jerk but if I feel that way others probably do to, even if it is wrong.

By: Britt, Book Habitue

Britt, Book Habitue — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:39:11 +0000

I LOVED these books!!
Autism really didn’t occur to me… partly because I identified with her! I was always better at talking to adults than the other kids… and I think part of it was being an only child for years.
If she is autistic, she’s pretty high-functioning.

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:35:57 +0000

Okay, I have not read this book so have nothing to offer specifically about this character, but I wanted to point out that “labels” do not have to be bad things. I have a son with ADHD and a brother-in-law with autism (who wasn’t diagnosed until adulthood) and labels can bring understanding, educational, and community. Labels can also be helpful among children, who are not usually compassionate or kind. (Oh the heartache my little boy has been through!) Having some sort of handle for “the weird kid” can help kids who are trying daily to sort through impossible masses of information make the jump from judgment to understanding.

Are labels always good. Absolutely not. They can be awful. I’ve struggled all my life with my self-imposed labels of ‘ugly’ and ’shy.’ But if I teach my son to own some of his labels, like ADHD, and that that label is NOT bad, I can hand him a stepping stone instead of a mill stone. His label can be a tool.

I worry I’m not making sense as I try to type my scattered thoughts while wrestling cranky babies…I just want to throw out that this subject isn’t just black and white.

By: Natasha @ Maw Books

Natasha @ Maw Books — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:38:16 +0000

No – labeling somebody certainly doesn’t explain everything about a person- nor was I trying to imply that is the case. But as a reader, it was a label that I, based on my preconceived notions, placed on her. Seeing the book on a autism recommended book list and reading it on the heels of Born on a Blue Day certainly played into how I approached the book and the character. Had I not known this beforehand, would I have made that leap? I really don’t know.

The more I think about it, I really liked how the author didn’t attempt to put any labels on Emma-Jean and I think that this plays to the book strengths. I think that all literature has the ability to teach others about life experiences that are not their own. What this book illustrations is that not everybody thinks just like us, and I believe that that understanding can translate to how we treat others.

By: Liz B

Liz B — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:56:17 +0000

Oh! and on a more cynical level, some readers/parents stay away from “issue books.” If this was described as “Emma Jean who has Aspergers” instead of “Emma Jean who is quirky,” parents would turn away because they want a “fun” book for their kids/ not something serious / “she’s not interested in reading that….”

By: Liz B

Liz B — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:51:51 +0000

Why the need to label Emma Jean? To put her in a tidy box that says “she has x, so that explains all about her”?

Why would Emma Jean having that label make kids in a classroom more likely to have empathy/understanding for others with that label? Do the kids know that others have been labeled? Isn’t it a broader lesson to say, regardless of how a person fits a label, tolerate, understand, have compassion, whether its the kid in class you know has autism (because parents, teachers talk) or its the kid in the class who is different but doesn’t have a label?

I read it and wondered. As I wonder if Temperance Brennan (TV show Bones) is on the spectrum. Or Sheldon from Big Bang Theory. But that is more about me, as a relative of a child on the spectrum, looking to see adults on the spectrum depicted with whole lives.

Not every quirky kid is autistic or on the spectrum. Not every kid who doesn’t sit still in class is ADD/ADHD. Not everyone who falls outside “typical” behavour can be explained by a label, nor should they.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:26:41 +0000

It does sound like Emma-Jean is on the autism spectrum based on your description. But many manage to get through, undiagnosed, and are just seen as being “odd”. I wonder if the author has ever discussed this — would be interesting to know whether this was intentional.

By: J. L. Bell

J. L. Bell — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:12:55 +0000

Others have agreed with your and Jules's interpretation.

By: Melissa (Betty and Boo's Mommy)

Melissa (Betty and Boo's Mommy) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 01:36:38 +0000

As the parent of a child with autism, this book sounds intriguing … and one that I’ll definitely be picking up.

The whole premise of the autism not being names reminds me of “Make Lemonade” by Virginia Euwer Wolff. (Have you read that? Highly recommended … review on my blog, if interested.) Wolff doesn’t come out and say what race the main character is and it is the sort of book where you think one thing initially … but then question your thinking and continue to wonder.