Spaghetti Is Not a Finger Food: (and other life lessons)

The title – Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food (and other life lessons) – is the first thing that grabbed my attention, and then the happy innocence of the little boy on the front cover.For anyone not familiar with Asperger’s Syndrome, this book is such a great way to learn more about how it affects a child. The whole story is told through the voice of an eight-year-old boy who has Asperger’s Syndrome.Connor is happy, smart, eager, energetic, and gets into trouble easily because of how differently he relates to his surroundings. He doesn’t mean to, it just seems to happen. And it happens in innocent funny ways. The way Connor tells it is both amusing and informative. For example: after one incident at school, when he was sent – yet again – to the principal’s office, he dashed immediately to his favourite blue chair. It was smooth and calming for him. Obviously he had been there enough times before to have tried all the chairs, but it was not said that way, the reader understood it from the way Jodi Carmichael had Connor tell his experience.Here are the chapter titles: Mrs. Winters Does Not Like to Be Interrupted Girls Are Confusing Mr. O’Brien Does Not Believe Rules Are to Be Broken – Ever Smooth Things Are Calming Lunch Time Can Be Tricky A Library Voice Is Even Quieter Than an Inside Voice Stools Are for Standing on and Chairs Are for Sitting On Even Numbers Rule! Mrs. Rosetti Has the Best Smiley Face Feelings Are Confusing Not All People Are Dog People A Code Yellow Is Serious Business Stomach Swirls Can Be Both Good and Bad at the Same Time Kids Love Dog TricksSpaghetti is NOT a Finger Food (and other life lessons) by Jodi Carmichael is a very well-written book that educates while it entertains, while the illustrations by Sarah Ackerley add a wonderful dimension. Having the opportunity to see the world from Connor’s perspective is enlightening. Both children and adults can enjoy this chapter book and learn from it.

Review of Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons by Jodi Carmichael5 starsThis chapter book for middle grade readers taught me a lot about what it is like to be a young child with Asperger's Syndrome. Connor is a very smart little boy, he might even rate at genius level, and he possesses a wealth of information (especially about dogs and geckos). What he doesn't have are acquired social skills, and he tends to see the world through a tunnel of perspective: he wants so much to impart all his knowledge about animals and so forth, but he doesn't understand that not everyone wants to learn what he knows, nor that sometimes (for example, the classroom, the school hall, the principal's domain, and the school library) there are rules, and we all must follow them. That is a really difficult lesson for Connor to learn, because he has to process all this sensory input through his syndrome, and then learn to act "properly." He is really good-hearted, but that doesn't always translate to good behavior, though he tries.I hope that this book will find a wide readership, and be shared by parents, grands, and caregivers (and teachers!) with their charges. It's also appropriate for middle grade readers to peruse for themselves, and lavishly illustrated.

As a parent of an Aspie, I could so relate to Connor's conclusions and confusions. How refreshing to see life through his eyes. It is a great book to give relatives, siblings and teachers of Aspies to read, to help them see situations from a different perspective.As my son says about himself, Yes, I am different. But different is good. I think we try too hard to conform ourselves and others into unrealistic moulds and lose sight of the fact that we are, by God's grace, ALL different and that is good. We can benefit from the Connors of this world!And, to top it off, the illustrations are also lovely.

In a wonderfully humorous way, this book enlightens us about Asperger's Syndrome. It presents a great opportunity for parents and children to discuss Connor and his challenges, hopefully increasing compassion for anyone who might be "different" in some way. It is very well written and feels as though Connor is really telling his own story. I recommend this book to all parents, to read with their children.

I chose a rating of 3 out of 5 because the book was nice and all but had no moral, no true meaning. It was j just a bunch of mini stories. I would recommend this book to children entering or even leaving first grade.

This book was not only entertaining and engaging, but also very poignant. Reading this helps every child learn empathy for others by understanding truth really is in the perspective. Children with Asperger's Syndrome and other forms of autism encounter many obstacles throughout their lives. Many can be overcome within a loving family and supportive environment. But, we all know "it takes a village". Eventually, these kids need to find their place among their peers - in schools and the communities they live in. This book helps parents and children alike be more tolerant and welcoming toward kids with challenges. Acceptance of others is a lesson that needs revisiting throughout our lives. Thank-you, Jodi, for bringing this hilarious, loveable character, Connor into our home and shedding light on a very misunderstood issue.

I really enjoyed this book. As an Early Childhood Educator, who has worked with children for 15 years, i found that this book looked at the day of a child from their point of view, as they see things differently then we do.It was easy to understand and the accompanying pictures, added humor to the book and also helped to keep children interested.My son Harley, age 9, also enjoyed this book and gave it a rating of 5.

My son was recently diagnosed with Autism and this was a great book for our family to read. We got it for use on the kindle app on the ipad and it worked great.