Name: Thaletta ferkingstad kirkeleit's review of Do You Know Me? by Rebecca Westcott
Item: Do You Know Me?
Rating: 4
Author: Thaletta ferkingstad kirkeleit

Rebecca Westcott

Libby Scott

In this sequel to Can You See Me?, Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott return with another heartwarming and eye-opening story of friendship and middle school, inspired by Libby's own experiences of autism. Everyone else in Tally's grade seems excited for the class trip... And she knows she is supposed to be too. Ever since her classmates found out she is autistic, Tally has felt more comfortable being herself. But the end-of-year trip will be an entire week -- her longest overnight trip ever. How will she sleep? What about all the bugs? What will her dog, Rupert, do without her at home? Though she decides she doesn't want to miss out, bad news strikes as soon as she arrives: She isn't bunking with her friend Aleksandra. Instead, she is rooming with her former friends and two girls from a neighboring school -- who both reject Tally on day one. Tally isn't sure she'll ever make new friends. And how will she survive for so long away from home? Told through a mix of prose and diary entries, this authentic and relatable novel is about finding your people, and learning what it takes to be a true friend.

Do You Know Me?

With diary entries written by eleven-year-old Libby Scott, based on her own experiences of autism, this pioneering book, written in collaboration with esteemed author Rebecca Westcott, hasbeen widely praised for its realistic portrayal of autism. Tally is eleven years oldand she's justlike her friends. Well, sometimesshe is. If she tries really hardto be. Because there's something that makes Tally notthe same as her friends. Something she can't cover up, no matter howhard she tries: Tally is autistic. Tally's autism means there are things that botherher even though she wishesthey didn't. It means that some people misunderstand,her and feel frustratedby her. People think that because Tally's autistic, she doesn'trealise what they're thinking, but Tally sees and hears - and notices- all of it. And, honestly? That's not the easiest thing to live with. Perfect for fans of Wonderand The Goldfish Boy, this sucker punch to the heart is valuable reading for children and adults alike. Endearing, insightful and warmly uplifting, Can You SeeMe?is a story of autism, empathy and kindness that will touch readers of all ages.

Can You See Me?

Ian Brakspear

Thaletta ferkingstad kirkeleit

Tally is autistic and proud. She used to feel like she had to hide her autism, but now Tally is determined to make sure people see who she really is. But now Tally has a new worry - her school trip. And that means new places, new people and new challenges. She quickly falls in with the popular girls and is grateful that they don't make a big deal about her autism, but it's not long before Tally realises that, while the girls arepopular, they aren'tverykind. With a jolt Tally understands that she's not the only one who's been made to feel like she has to hide her true self. But will she find the strength to stand up for herself and the people she knows are being treated unfairly, or will she stay quiet? And will Tally ever find her people?

Can You See Me 2

"Even on the days when you feel invisible and misunderstood, there is always someone out there who can see you; someone who knows you and understands what it's like to be you. You just must look for them. And if you can find those people and make them your friends then everything will end up working out better than you ever thought it would. Everything will be ok."

Do You know me is a Sequel to Can You See Me by Libby Scott who is an Autistic Author telling the story of a Fictional Girl Tally who is Autistic and in year 7. Following on from the events of book 1 It’s amazing to be back with Tally again and to see her grow, learn and come out of her shell a little more and it’s amazing to follow her on her journey of self-discovery and learning how to fit into the World around her once again. 

This One covers Tally’s First residential trip away from her Parents and spending the week in the outdoors and learning how to face your fear as well as coping with Change and dealing with a lot of emotions and anxiety that come with being away from your Safe space for a week. 

This book was equally brilliant and offered a valuable insight and portrayal of autism in children's literature which I think is much needed, as the book mentions Tally feels like she's the only person with autism before the school trip as she never reads books with characters like her. As a teacher, the book contains lots of helpful little 'top tips' in Tally's diary entries at the end of some chapters along with providing facts and knowledge about autism, reinforcing how people are like snowflakes - no 2 people will be the same. The book contains the important message that autism is not something bad or a disease, it's just different. People with autism may have strengths and weaknesses in different areas and may have differences in emotions and feelings, they may feel emotions more strongly than their peers, particularly things like anxiety.

Once Again, A Book with a Lot of Heart and Meaning attached to it that Honestly felt like a Warm hug at times!

"Even on the days when you feel invisible and misunderstood, there is always someone out there who can see you; someone who knows you and understands what it's like to be you. You just must look for them. And if you can find those people and make them your friends then everything will end up working out better than you ever thought it would. Everything will be ok."

 

Do You know me is a Sequel to Can You See Me by Libby Scott who is an Autistic Author telling the story of a Fictional Girl Tally who is Autistic and in year 7. Following on from the events of book 1 It’s amazing to be back with Tally again and to see her grow, learn and come out of her shell a little more and it’s amazing to follow her on her journey of self-discovery and learning how to fit into the World around her once again. 

 

This One covers Tally’s First residential trip away from her Parents and spending the week in the outdoors and learning how to face your fear as well as coping with Change and dealing with a lot of emotions and anxiety that come with being away from your Safe space for a week. 

 

This book was equally brilliant and offered a valuable insight and portrayal of autism in children's literature which I think is much needed, as the book mentions Tally feels like she's the only person with autism before the school trip as she never reads books with characters like her. As a teacher, the book contains lots of helpful little 'top tips' in Tally's diary entries at the end of some chapters along with providing facts and knowledge about autism, reinforcing how people are like snowflakes - no 2 people will be the same. The book contains the important message that autism is not something bad or a disease, it's just different. People with autism may have strengths and weaknesses in different areas and may have differences in emotions and feelings, they may feel emotions more strongly than their peers, particularly things like anxiety.

 

Once Again, A Book with a Lot of Heart and Meaning attached to it that Honestly felt like a Warm hug at times!

Taryn Quigg

I thought that this book was very well done and it was such a good way to open people's eyes and educate people on what really goes on in autistic people's minds (well at least from Libby Scott's perspective). 

I think that it is really cool how this book is almost a direct reflection of Scott's own feelings and personal experiences with autism. The fact that this book was written by an autistic person makes you take in every word all that much more. 

I would definitely recommend everyone read this book as it may help you in understanding more about autism and what to do if you meet someone with it (or I guess what not to do).

This Book is Focused on what it’s Like to be Autistic and a First-Person account of the struggles, differences and the happiness that come from being autistic. This Book has made me feel SEEN as an Autistic person myself. Its shows so much that one of the authors is Autistic and I can say that I felt the things the Character went through as I have been through some that myself. This took me right back to my School Experiences and while some didn’t ring true for myself some hit me in the face, and I was right back at school again

Tally Olivia Adams is 12 years old and has just finished Year 6 and apart to Start Secondary School for the First time with her friends Lucy Aisha and Layla. Her big sister Nell & Her Parents. However, for me Her parents struggle to help her with her autism & Her Sister just wants to “Change” and make Tally grow up and for her not to be Autistic along with the normal siblings’ relationships. Tally life turns around as unexpected events come around ....

Through the struggles of adjusting to a New School, New People, New Environments and New Teachers you see life through Tally’s eyes and her just trying to find a place in the world, learn to adjust and trying to just fit in when things are so difficult. However, her friends that promised to look out for her decided that they need to grow up and want to mix with different people so that means ditching Tally and join the circle of Bullies that pick on her for being different and want nothing to do with her when all she wants is a Friend to talk to and support her.

This is an intense read and when Tally was hit with anxiety and the meltdown when she was overloaded, I just wanted to run through the pages and wrap her in a hug to calm her down as it was clear that despite the diagnosis her Parents and sister where still learning to come to terms with the unique way that Tally interacts and process the world around her. The way her Parents treat here for me was super unhelpful and was not helping the situation at all and at times I think that is made the situations worse, when they could have been way more helpful and supportive especially her dad and Sister. 

The Main Takeaway message from this book is the masking that Autistic people must do to just exist in the world around us and the fight with ourselves when we want to fit in. This is a Book that I think all Autistic People need to read but not only that but the people that want to learn some of the things we go through; Thanks to Tally’s diary entries she wants to help others understand how she sees the world and how people can help.

It’s clear that this 12-year Author is talented and I’m glad that she has been given the chance to create this book to help others. A Book I’m going to Treasure. 


Rebecca  Westcott

Tally is autistic and proud. She used to feel like she had to hide her autism, but now Tally is determined to make sure people see who she really is. But now Tally has a new worry - her school trip. And that means new places, new people and new challenges. She quickly falls in with the popular girls and is grateful that they don't make a big deal about her autism, but it's not long before Tally realises that, while the girls are popular, they aren't very kind. With a jolt Tally understands that she's not the only one who's been made to feel like she has to hide her true self. But will she find the strength to stand up for herself and the people she knows are being treated unfairly, or will she stay quiet? And will Tally ever find her people?

Nina Keogh

Eilidh 

I would rate this book 20/10 (if it was possible). It was the first book I've read this year in under 24 hours. It made me laugh and cry. It is defiantly one of my favourites. I love this type of book but this one was even better because it was about someone not far off my age going through something I went through not long ago. Tally taught me new things about autism and showed it in a different light. Tally shares many of my fears but they are harder for Tally to deal with. I understand why Tally didn't want to tell people about her autism. People are really ignorant. I look forward to reading the next one in the series.

Thaletta ferkingstad kirkeleit &
Do You Know Me? by Rebecca Westcott

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Thaletta ferkingstad kirkeleit &Do You Know Me? by Rebecca Westcott

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Join the club

Thaletta ferkingstad kirkeleit &
Do You Know Me? by Rebecca Westcott