Description
This graphic novel re-telling of Kathy Hoopmann's best-selling Blue Bottle Mystery brings the much-loved fantasy story to life for a new generation of readers. The hero is Ben, a boy with Asperger Syndrome (AS). When Ben and his friend Andy find an old bottle in the school yard, little do they know of the surprises about to be unleashed in their lives. Bound up with this exciting mystery is the story of how Ben is diagnosed with AS and how he and his family deal with the problems and joys that come along with it.
A warm, fun-filled graphic novel for children with a difference: the hero is Ben, a boy with Asperger Syndrome
About the Author
Kathy Hoopmann has written over twenty books with translations into nineteen languages. Her work sells widely in Australia, the UK, the US and the Middle East. She has won, and been shortlisted for many literary awards, including the Children's Book Council of Australia Award, the ALCS Educational Award (UK), the Living Now Award (US) and has four times been awarded a Nautilus Award (US) which is granted to 'books that change the world'. Kathy is best known for her writing on autism spectrum disorders and mental illness, in fiction and non-fiction. The simplicity, charm and insight of Kathy's books have made them must-haves for children and adults worldwide.
Reviews
Blue Bottle Mystery is not just a solid exercise in taking an already successful work and re-imagining it for a new readership but also an object lesson in how to adapt material in a way that makes full use of the exclusive storytelling potential of the comics form. We need to see far more graphic medicine aimed at a younger readership like this that never patronises its target audience but informs and elucidates through the remarkable communicative power of sequential art. -- Broken Frontier
It's short and sweet, pretty fun on its own merits, but even better because it teaches about a group of kids on the autism spectrum who are often misunderstood. Rating: Pretty Darn Good. -- Newbery and Beyond
If you're looking for a short, yet intriguing read - either for yourself or for kids and younger siblings - I would definitely recommend this. -- Books Biscuits and Tea
This is a book that offers an explanation of aspects of Asperger's Syndrome in a fun way making it accessible to a wide range of readers, especially those (on the spectrum or not) who have a particular passion for visuals... All in all this is a perceptive, optimistic story that artfully weaves information relating to the condition throughout. It should find a place on the classroom shelves of all primary schools and in lower secondary libraries: those who read it will one hopes come away with a greater understanding of what it is to be 'an aspie'. Let's hear it for individuality and difference, and the way such characteristics can enrich the lives of us all. -- Red Reading Hub
I found this graphic novel both an absorbing story and an excellent way to try to better understand people with Asperger syndrome... I like the information boxes that are interspersed with the dialogues to help the reader understand situations from the point of view of someone with Asperger syndrome. -- Juno Magazine
This book is fun! I learnt a bit more about Asperger Syndrome. Would I recommend it to other kids? I sure would. I think they would understand it as well as me. -- Bobby Elley, aged 12 * Aukids *
Readers will come away with a valuable understanding of Asperger's, both through the text and the very clear illustrations. -- Anne Harding * The School Librarian Journal *
Book Information
ISBN 9781849056502
Author Kathy Hoopmann
Format Hardback
Page Count 68
Imprint Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publisher Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Weight(grams) 300g
Dimensions(mm) 266mm * 174mm * 12mm
A warm, fun-filled graphic novel for children with a difference: the hero is Ben, a boy with Asperger Syndrome
About the Author
Kathy Hoopmann has written over twenty books with translations into nineteen languages. Her work sells widely in Australia, the UK, the US and the Middle East. She has won, and been shortlisted for many literary awards, including the Children's Book Council of Australia Award, the ALCS Educational Award (UK), the Living Now Award (US) and has four times been awarded a Nautilus Award (US) which is granted to 'books that change the world'. Kathy is best known for her writing on autism spectrum disorders and mental illness, in fiction and non-fiction. The simplicity, charm and insight of Kathy's books have made them must-haves for children and adults worldwide.
Reviews
Blue Bottle Mystery is not just a solid exercise in taking an already successful work and re-imagining it for a new readership but also an object lesson in how to adapt material in a way that makes full use of the exclusive storytelling potential of the comics form. We need to see far more graphic medicine aimed at a younger readership like this that never patronises its target audience but informs and elucidates through the remarkable communicative power of sequential art. -- Broken Frontier
It's short and sweet, pretty fun on its own merits, but even better because it teaches about a group of kids on the autism spectrum who are often misunderstood. Rating: Pretty Darn Good. -- Newbery and Beyond
If you're looking for a short, yet intriguing read - either for yourself or for kids and younger siblings - I would definitely recommend this. -- Books Biscuits and Tea
This is a book that offers an explanation of aspects of Asperger's Syndrome in a fun way making it accessible to a wide range of readers, especially those (on the spectrum or not) who have a particular passion for visuals... All in all this is a perceptive, optimistic story that artfully weaves information relating to the condition throughout. It should find a place on the classroom shelves of all primary schools and in lower secondary libraries: those who read it will one hopes come away with a greater understanding of what it is to be 'an aspie'. Let's hear it for individuality and difference, and the way such characteristics can enrich the lives of us all. -- Red Reading Hub
I found this graphic novel both an absorbing story and an excellent way to try to better understand people with Asperger syndrome... I like the information boxes that are interspersed with the dialogues to help the reader understand situations from the point of view of someone with Asperger syndrome. -- Juno Magazine
This book is fun! I learnt a bit more about Asperger Syndrome. Would I recommend it to other kids? I sure would. I think they would understand it as well as me. -- Bobby Elley, aged 12 * Aukids *
Readers will come away with a valuable understanding of Asperger's, both through the text and the very clear illustrations. -- Anne Harding * The School Librarian Journal *
Book Information
ISBN 9781849056502
Author Kathy Hoopmann
Format Hardback
Page Count 68
Imprint Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publisher Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Weight(grams) 300g
Dimensions(mm) 266mm * 174mm * 12mm
