Reading Metrics
Description
Upon moving to a new apartment, twelve-year-old Lucy befriends an autistic boy who lives upstairs and, along with her friend Theo and a pampered pooch, takes Matthew on neighborhood adventures, hoping to open him up to the world around them.
Quick Summary
After moving to a new apartment, twelve-year-old Lucy befriends Matthew, an autistic boy who lives upstairs, and together with her friend Theo and a pampered dog, she starts taking him on neighborhood adventures in hopes of opening his eyes to the world around him. This French import is a genuinely touching story that manages to be both funny and heartfelt it doesn't lecture kids about acceptance but lets them discover it through the characters' growing friendship. It's perfect for readers who love character-driven stories with warmth, and parents will appreciate how naturally it handles neurodiversity without being heavy-handed. Think of it as a middle-grade version of "Wonder" in tone, though the approach is completely different. The short length (around 16,000 words) makes it a great choice for reluctant readers, though the emotional depth gives it more substance than a typical quick read.