Book Review

Basic Details:

Book Title: Juggling the Issues

Subtitle: Living With Asperger's Syndrome

Author: Matthew Kenslow

Genre: Children’s Health/Real-life issues

Part of a series?

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49492461-juggling-the-issues

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

In this book, Matthew shows us an insight into what it is like to live with autism, Asperger’s specifically. As he states clearly, everyone is different and this also means every person with Asperger’s or autism is an individual. This means we can’t generalise his experiences to the wider public. He clearly stated the issues he deals with and his writing style illustrates these issues brilliantly.

What I liked about the book:

It was a good insight into what it’s like to live with Asperger’s.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The waffling speech within the book, but that is also one of the characteristics of a person with Asperger’s.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book was easy to read.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

I’m not aware of any other books by this author.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a great insight into life with Asperger’s.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children No

Young Adult Yes

Adult Yes

If you like to find out more about Asperger’s and autism, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

Matthew Kenslow was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, which is within the autistic spectrum, when he was six years old. He shares its common symptoms, such as lacking social and conversational skills, and having poor eye contact with others. In school he had difficulty with certain subjects, but others (like math and science) came easily to him. He has the ability to remember a myriad of facts and the events in his life--some he would rather forget!

Juggling the Issues: Living With Asperger's Syndrome is a collection of short stories from his life. He describes many of the issues that those with autism and Asperger's face each day. He also talks about some of the positive aspects of having Asperger's as well. What is life like living with Asperger's? Matthew describes it as having "an enhancer" plugged into his brain, which accelerates his thoughts and even his emotions. "Asperger's will deepen everything's significance, causing us to take things to a more intense level," he confides.

If you want to better understand those living with Asperger's, you need to read this book. The insights Kenslow shares come from his deep experience of living with it and making the most of life's opportunities.

About the Author:

MATTHEW KENSLOW has grown up with a form of Autism known as “Asperger’s Syndrome.” Life has been an adventure as he pieced together all of his surroundings amid both praises and teases. His mission is to teach others from a firsthand perspective of how autistic people interprets things differently than the rest of the world.

He believes God has blessed him with the gifts to juggle, playing piano, and recalling facts about the American presidents, geography, science, and mathematics. He goes to juggle at elementary schools and encourages the children there to never give up on their passions.

He has earned the Gold Medal of Achievement (which is equivalent to the rank of Eagle Scout) through Royal Rangers, a program he has been in since he was five. Now, he is giving back to children and teenagers who are at the ages he once was – teaching and mentoring them in a wide set of skills and knowledge.

He graduated Orange Coast College with an Associate of Science degree in Chemistry and is pursuing Vanguard University of Southern California. He currently aspires to be a middle school math and science teacher.