Book Review with Lauren: Real

Real by Carol Cujec is a story about a young girl with autism and her struggle with communication and the educational opportunities presented to her. In the book, Charity is unable to speak and cannot communicate her wants or needs to her parents, teachers, or friends. She is going to a school “for throw away kids” where she is abused by the teachers and spends her days ignored or locked in a closet. Eventually, she is transferred to a school where she is able to interact with her peers in a regular classroom. Charity eventually overcomes all odds and is at last able to communicate. Other students go out of their way to bully her and make her life miserable, everything from embarrassing her purposefully to sliding a finger across their throat while glaring at Charity to make her feel threatened. A gossip site is used to rally students into wanting Charity to leave the school. The book culminates in Charity finally finding herself, her voice, and her feeling for the first time like she is a real person.

This is quite a lengthy story, and it is hard to keep track of Charity’s narration, thoughts, animal facts, and the descriptions of her outbursts. As a teacher, I found it hard to read. I know that this is based on a true story and that bullying is real, but I did not enjoy how so many people, even adults, were able to be terrible to Charity and get away with it. Everywhere Charity turns, it felt as though she is met with unwarranted hatred and mistreatment. It was a difficult read because of how cruel family members, teachers, and students were to Charity, but the message of hope and giving everyone the chance to be included makes this an enjoyable read.

You can get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

Charity may have mad math skills and a near-perfect memory, but with a mouth that can’t speak and a body that jumps, rocks, and howls unpredictably, most people incorrectly assume she cannot learn. Charity’s brain works differently from most people’s because of her autism, but she’s still funny, determined, and kid. So why do people treat her like a disease or ignore her like she’s invisible?

When Charity’s parents enroll her in a public junior high school, she faces her greatest fears. Will kids make fun of her? Will her behavior get her kicked out? Will her million thoughts stay locked in her head forever? with the support of teachers and newfound friends, Charity will have to fight to be treated like a real student.

Inspired by a true story, Real speaks to all those who’ve ever felt they didn’t belong and reminds readers that all people are worthy of being included.