Lisa and the lacemaker ISBN: 9781843100713
Published by Jessica Kingsley, 2002
Lisa is quite aware that she has Asperger's syndrome, and she explains it very clearly when she meets her Great Aunt Hannah at a family party. Great Aunt Hannah is a bit unusual too - into fluffy dresses and liking to be alone. They are soon getting on like a house-afire. When Lisa and her friend Ben (also an Aspie as they call themselves) find an old, disused cottage in Ben's garden, Lisa soon discovers there is a connection with Aunt Hannah, who lived there long ago. She had been a lace maker, as had Gwyneth, an old lady servant who had taught her the skill, and there appears to be a ghost flitting around the cottage.... Nevermind that the plot creaks mightily at the end; this is a great, very readable adventure, and Lisa makes a valid, interesting heroine. Full of obsessions and quirks, she shows us much about her life and how she feels. Ben too. They are very different in their Asperger-ness, a fact discussed by their mums at one point. Largish print on very white paper make the story easy to read. A new edition of this is in graphic novel form, and the ISBN is 9781785920288. I haven't seen this version. Both are available from Amazon, from bookshops, or from the publisher at www.jkp.com.
Age: 8+
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