Humboldt Park Branch Library Book Group discussion

Our next selection is available. John Elder Robinson is the older brother of Augusten Burroughs best selling author of Running With Scissors. This selection a fasinating memoir about an interesting man who happens to have aspergers.

Today Show Interview
Spoiler Alert!!! This interview gives away a few big plot points but if you aren't sure about this title this might get you interested.
http://youtu.be/SwzfgNWmR6E

Questions!!!!

1. As a child John got along better with adults than children. Why do you think that is so?

2. In Chapter 3, on page 32, Robison writes, “I cannot help thinking, based on the evidence, that many people who exhibit dramatic reactions to bad news involving strangers are hypocrites.” Do you think that’s true?

3. As a child growing up without a diagnosis, Robison was sometimes called names or labeled “deviant.” Do you think it would have helped John to have been diagnosed or do you think there were advantages to his lack of diagnosis?

Number three is a tricky question. I will say that I am biased because I have also read Robison's other books where discussed in depth the advantages of his condition and that being different should be embraced. I guess I will sit on the fence with my answer....I think there are many therapies available to benefit kids with Aspergers that can help them celebrate and become comfortable with themselves rather than push them to conform to "normal"

FEW MORE QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Have any of you read Augusten Burroughs "Running with Scissors"? Dr. Finch makes an appearance in chapter 6. How do those two images of the same doctor differ and how much do you think is Burroughs imagination or Robison's preception?

Part of how Robison relates to the people around him is to give them nicknames. How are his nicknames different than the nicknames that we give others?

This article was published in The Atlantic this month and caused quite the buzz about Aspergers. JER wrote a letter to the editor that you should visit his website to read in its entirety.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/a...

Hey! As we finish up this months book here is a book list I put together if you are interested in exploring autism or fiction featuring autistic characters.

http://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/li...