All the Small Wonderful Things by Kate Foster
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536225800
Genres: Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

In the middle grade novel All the Small Wonderful Things, Alex, an eleven year old living with autism, is sure that the way to become friends with the most popular kid at his school, and avoid future bullying, is to prove his worth by winning an award. Alex decides the best way to achieve his goal is to enter his dog Kevin in Australia’s best dog show, P.A.W.S. The novel follows Alex’s joys and struggles as he trains Kevin and hopes to make a true friend before the next school year.

Like most kids who are transitioning from elementary to middle school, Alex faces the familiar stresses of fitting in at school, developing friendships, and wanting to truly be understood. By experiencing the story first person through Alex, readers will be able to gain insight into how people with autism may interpret stimuli and make interpersonal connections. Neurotypical readers can feel empathy for Alex that may encourage social emotional connections with children whose neurodivergent experiences differ from their own. While everyone’s experience with neurodivergence will vary, readers with autism may be able to identify with Alex and the positive disability representation provided in the story.

All the Small Wonderful Things will appeal to elementary and middle grade readers who are interested in feel good stories with happy endings, friendship stories, and animal lovers.

Reviewed by Sarah Hartje, Lewiston Public Library, Lewiston