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Julia Finley Mosca
Julia Finley Mosca
Author Qualification(s): Had extensive conversations with Temple Grandin before writing her biography
Illustrator Qualification(s): Has illustrated all of Mosca's Amazing Scientists series and several others, but no personal experience with autism
Genre(s)
Genre(s)
Picture Book
Biography
Nonfiction
Diverse / Multicultural Topic(s)
Diverse / Multicultural Topic(s)
Autism
Self-acceptance of being different
Awards
Awards
Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award (2018)
Plot Summary
Plot Summary
This autobiography of Temple Grandin takes you through her life story to date. She went from not speaking until age three to becoming a well-known public speaker. Her parents were told that she would best benefit from being institutionalized, but her mother declined. She went on to receive three degrees in Psychology and Animal Science. She is best known for designing a "hug machine" for children with autism and devising a similar device for cattle to calm them, as well as a calming slaughtering process.
Connections & Representation
Connections & Representation
Students with autism that see the world in a very visual way will relate to this book. It would really appeal to any student who finds their methods of learning a bit unorthodox.
Stereotypes
Stereotypes
The main character is an autistic person with traits similar to some that are on the spectrum--likes spinning, doesn't like hugs, easily overstimulated, has clothing and food sensory issues, etc.
Conflicts
Conflicts
Temple Grandin's greatest conflict was dealing with people who felt she didn't belong--the male farmers who felt women had no place there, the other students at her school where she was kicked out for throwing a book at a girl who teased her
Insider/Outsider
Insider/Outsider
This book portrays Grandin as an Outsider for her autism and for the way she thought in visual representations only. The book's illustrations help drive home this point by showing only her face in the scenes, even though it is written as a third person narrative.
Teachable Moment
Teachable Moment
This book teaches us that it's okay to be different and to think differently from everyone else. It gives hope to ASD students and their parents that they may achieve great things.
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