Monday 11 April 2011

Autism Awareness Giveaway Hop!


April is Autism Awareness Month, and KathyLindsayHeather, and Pixie are  hosting another awesome giveaway hop to promote it!
When I was sixteen, I spent three years working as basically a childminder for children with special needs, mostly children who were on the Autistic spectrum. During this time, I had some of the most rewarding experiences of my life so far. I also saw some things which broke my heart: the one that springs to mind is a full grown woman backing away from a nine year old child on a bus with a look of disgust on her face, just because he was singing to himself.
Many many people still do not understand, and are therefore scared by, autism. In the U.K alone, currently 1 in 100 people are on the autistic spcectrum, so it’s really important that people understand it. For people who don’t know, here is a basic definition of autism. It’s difficult to define, as it manifests in many different ways, and many people with autism don’t display ‘classic’ symptoms (non-verbal, repetitive behaviour, inability to engage in reciprocal relationships etc). One of the children I looked after for example, I developed a very good relationship with, and he was prone to giving me random hugs, which was lovely. Anyway, basic definition, paraphrased from www.autism-awareness.org.uk:
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability, which affects the way a person communicates and relates to the world around them. People with autism often have a limited ability to relate to other people or to understand other people’s emotional expressions. They have difficulty making sense of the world around them, and often live within a world of their own.
The main 3 characteristics of autism are difficulty with social communication (i.e. not understanding facial gestures, tone of voice etc), social interaction (difficulty with relationships – people with autism often seem aloof and indifferent to others, and have problems expressing feelings), and imagination (autistic people often have difficulty with inter-personal play, and developing imaginative activities. These are often limited and repetitive).
I feel that the most important thing for people with autism, both adults and children, is that it is not made any harder than it already is for them to live their lives. I am very conscious of not sounding patronising when talking about this, so let me just say that I have always thought that people with any kind of disability at all should be entitled to the same kind of life experiences as fully able people, and I think that raising awareness about any kind of disorder is a hugely important part of this.
For more information or to help raise awareness about autism visit http://www.autism.org.uk/.

So, onto the giveaway! As my personal contribution to achieving this, I’m giving away a copy of House Rules by Jodi Picoult. I will add at this point, that it is my copy of the book, and so is not brand new, but is a hardback in good condition, I will post anywhere in the world, and it is a brilliant, emotional, informative and riveting read.
House Rules is a book about Jacob Hunt, a teenager with Aspergers Syndrome. It paints an amazing picture of what it is like to live in a family with somebody with Aspergers. Picoult uses her trademark of telling the story through the eyes of all the different characters, and she’s brilliantly believable. The major plot point is the murder of Jacob’s tutor, and the way that the police react to the typical behaviours of Asperger’s with suspicion, believing that he is responsible for the death. I read this book, and I loved it with every single emotion I had. It made me laugh, made me cry, and was just so real.
This is my first ever giveaway and I’ve not quite got my head round the entry form thingies soooooo to enter, please just leave a comment with your email address. It isn’t obligatory to be a follower of the blog, but please do feel free to have a look around and follow me if you like what you’re reading! The winner will be drawn via random.org on April 14th, and I will notify them by email.
Also, a question. You can win if you don’t answer it, it’s purely for me. Have you read any great books focusing on physical or mental disability?
Once you’ve entered my giveaway, hop on to the next blog on the list!

95 comments:

  1. I just wanted to say thank you for spreading awareness about Autism, and for hosting this amazing giveaway!

    GFC Follower: Enamored Soul

    ~Hira~
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
    Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

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  2. I'd love to read the book~

    Gian Faye
    mynameisgianfaye *at* gmail *dot* com

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  3. Thank you for being part of spreading the autism awareness!

    Inga Kupp-Silberg
    inga(dot)kupp(at)gmail(dot)com
    http://ingasilbergbooks.blogspot.com/

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  4. I don't think I've read that many books about disabilities so I can't think of a good example, thanks for the giveaway

    eveningreen (at) gmail (dot) com

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  5. I don't think I have actually read any about mental or physical difficulties unless you count anorexia, I've read a few about anorexia and depression.

    Thanks for the fantastic giveaway!

    Jadey!
    jade-walker@hotmail.co.uk

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  6. Thank you for the giveaway.

    I hope the blog hop will get a lot of bloggers and readers thinking about autism.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

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  7. Yes i have !! a book about a girl who has Schizophrenia. good book !

    uniquas at ymail dot com

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  8. cynni_Universe (at) hotmail (dot) com

    Please visit my giveaway as well :) Thank you :)

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  9. Thank you for spreading the word. As a mother of a special needs child, I have a pile of books that focus on special needs.

    weebeenoid(AT)cox(DOT)net

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  10. I haven`t read a book about disabilities. However, I have watched a lot of documentaries and true live stories on the TV. I think it is a great idea to spread the word and make people aware of everything that is surrounding us!.

    vena.nedkova at gmail dot com

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  11. Thank you for spreading the word my little nephew is autistic and it means a lot for people to be putting this info out there. I loved Dear John, his father was autistic and it showed the strain it can have on people who dont know.

    raynekitten@gmail.com

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  12. Thank you for the amazing giveaway! I am already a follower.

    mishamary@gmail.com

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  13. I think it is Awesome that there are so many people doing this blog hop. thanks for the giveaway!

    m.ramey@ymail.com

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  14. I would love to read the book. I have a son with aspbergers.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  15. My grandson has autism and I find the storyline of this book to be very interesting.
    I follow by google reader under cenya2.

    cenya2 at hotmail dot com

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  16. Please count me in!
    petra_socaciu(at)yahoo.com
    As for the question, I've never read a book like that, but I think I will do it in the future.

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  17. I've ever read some books about disabilities. This book looks interesting.
    Thank you for spreading awareness about Autism and for this great giveaway.

    dl(dot)love(dot)freedom(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. Have not read the book.. should be interesting.
    xinbei_789@hotmail.com

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  19. i can honestly say thank you for the great link about autism. i knew the signs of it but never the name. i would love to read this book.

    quimbayai@hotmail.com

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  20. Thank you for your participation in this blog hop. I have a grandson on the autism spectrum.

    GFC follow as seriousreader

    seriousreader at live dot com

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  21. Hi there.
    Thanks for hosting this giveaway

    Thinking back, I haven't read anything on mental or physical difficulties before. Looks like it's time to start one!

    my email add is serenekua at gmail dot com

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  22. Thanks for the giveaway. I remember reading a romance novel where the main character had a child with down's syndrome.

    jmesparza821(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. No, unfortunately. But I've read about kids who have special abilities. Indigo Awakening by Dr Janine Talty is very enlightening.

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

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  24. My older brother is autistic, and growing up, no one really knew what that was. I was constantly explaining what it meant for my brother and our family and it is incredible how much more awareness there is today. I am so grateful for the increased support and understanding of those with autism and can only pray that their lives will be greatly improved as awareness and help continue to increase! Thank you for your efforts in this great endeavor.

    judywhatilivefor at gmail dot com

    There's a book I read in college called "AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS" and it portrayed the life of a boy who's sister is autistic.

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  25. Hi, I am follower and I want to thank you for the giveaway! :)

    I read this book Nobody Nowhere - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240236.Nobody_Nowhere - it´s about autistic woman.

    Nikita
    bookworm.nikita@gmail.com

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  26. Thanks for spreading awareness. :)
    amazing_alex.0818[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  27. My daughter has Aspergers Syndrome and we are very new on this road of Autism (she has just been diagnosed)- I would love to read this book, I have heard it is very sad, but a good read.
    tracyschultz@yahoo.com

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  28. thanks for being in this hop!
    I am a gfc follower

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  29. enter me please :)

    P.S. thanks for this one
    punkme15 at gmail dot com

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  30. Thanks for the giveaway!

    jmluker (at) winco.net

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  31. One of my favorites is "Sixty-Five Roses" about cystic fibrosis.

    reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com

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  32. Please also enter me :)

    An old book by Danielle Steele SEASON ON PASSION has a mentally and physically disabled husband to the main character. It is an oldie but a goodie although not about autism :)

    Chrizette
    baychriz at gmail dot com

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  33. My son has sensory processing disorder so I have read just about every book on that disorder. Sadly it is also a disorder than most autistic individuals also must cope with. Thanks for the giveaway and raising awareness!

    Courtney
    stilettostorytime at gmail dot com

    Twitter Follower: stiletostrytime

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  34. Great giveaway, i'm really interested in this book, so thank you for the opportunity of winning it.

    sznikka(at)gmail(dot)com

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  35. Thanks for the giveaway. I have not read this book yet.

    I followed-GFC-judy


    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

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  36. I read the book Nothing Hurts But My Heart about a girl with scoliosis.

    Lisa, bell198(at)aol(dot)com

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  37. Thank you for doing your first giveaway!! Love to be your first winner! :) GFC follower Shannon Johnson
    shannonjean14(at)gmail(dot)com

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  38. The Memory Palace by Mira Birtok!
    Thank you for spreading awareness about Autism! Best wishes and thanks for a chance to win this giveaway!
    Chanticlear1(at)gmail(dot)com

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  39. I've read The Curious Incident with the Dog in the Nighttime.

    spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com

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  40. I'd like to read this book.


    mystica123athotmaildotcom

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  41. Thanks for doing this giveaway! I have one coming up tomorrow myself.
    I would love to win the book.

    jh303015 at gmail dot com

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  42. thanks for the support! i'm part of this hop as well

    americangirlie1991 AT yahoo DOT com

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  43. Thank you for being part of the hop. Have I read any good books on disabilty or disorder? I know I have. It's hard to remember what I've read, though.

    leah49 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  44. Thanks for the giveaway!

    darkangel231988@gmail.com

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  45. It is great to see participants in this hop from around the world!
    I am a new GFC follower.
    rickimc[at]aol[dot]com

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  46. "The Notebook" is great dealing with one of the characters and aspergers. (I know I probably slaughtered the spelling.)

    ke7yca at gmail.com

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  47. Thanks for the giveaway and for spreading autism awareness.
    caliblue7 at gmail dot com

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  48. Thanks for the giveaway and participating and spreading the awareness about autism.
    gfc follower.
    lindadao2060 at yahoo dot com

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  49. Thanks for this great giveaway and for helping to make people aware of Autism.

    swaggirl01 at gmail dot com

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  50. So amazing how many blogs are supporting this cause!
    officiallyjewels@gmail.com
    Thanks!!

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  51. The only book I can think of I've read about disabilities was Gianna about a girl with cerebral palsy.

    texastypeamom at gmail dot com

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  52. I love Picoults books please enter me. Thanks for hosting!
    jhoorm01atyahoodotcom

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  53. I would love to read this book! I haven't yet, and Jodi Picoult is one of my favourite authors :)

    jo.tee35 AT gmail DOT com

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  54. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Thais Pampado
    thais_rpc(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  55. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  56. Thank you for the giveaway.

    methirteenATyahooDOTcom

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  57. Thanks for the giveaway. Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors. She always writes about important social issues in her signature style.

    GFC(MonaG)

    monagatg@yahoo.com

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  58. Thanks so much for taking part in this hop!!

    AmethystDaydreams at zoho dot com
    AmethystDaydreams.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. The only really good book I've read is WHERE IS THE MANGO PRINCESS by Cathy Crimmins, which is about traumatic brain injury. Good book!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Amy // amyismyfriend at aol dot com

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  60. Thanks for the giveaway!
    musicalhobbit at aol dot com

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  61. Last year I read Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten, which has a plot a bit like Jodi Picoult's book.

    hopester777 at gmail dot com

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  62. Great giveaway. I can't think of any books at the moment but it's a really interesting topic.

    jessicamariesutton@msn.com

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  63. Great giveaway!

    infertilenanny (at) gmail (dot) com

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  64. Thanks for the chance!

    GFC follower

    simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

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  65. i haven't read any i think. or if i have they aren't coming to mind.

    katie_tp(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  66. I read the book about autism called, Daniel Isn't Talking by Marti Leimbach
    Digicat {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  67. I think it's great that you took the jump into Blog Hops with this particular Hop. Kudos to you!

    I do not think that I have read any books with autism or an ASD featured in any way. That will need to change soon.

    Thanks for doing this.

    ~Katrina

    akiray.ak002[at]gmail[][dot]com

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  68. Thanks for such a great giveaway!!!

    ckaylie777(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  69. Thank you for participating in Autism Awareness. My brother has severe autism and is 55 years old. Back then, hardly any one even knew what it was.

    Gfc follower

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  70. I'd love to read this book!
    gfc follower: nicolesender
    I can't recall reading any books with a focus on disabilities but the book Sybil(about a woman with multiple personalities).
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  71. I haven't read any books, but my son has a profound hearing loss so we live with challenges.

    marypres@gmail.com

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  72. the book sounds really awesome, and well done for raising awareness :)
    does the curious incident of the dog in the night time count? thats the only one i can think of atm

    Esther Fairbairn
    funkyfrog1994@hotmail.co.uk

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  73. Thanks for spreading the awareness and thanks for the chance!
    aleksa91 hotmail com

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  74. Thanks for the giveaway. I think this is a wonderful hop to spread awareness about autism.

    GFC Follower

    lillieblue613(at)gmail(dot)com

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  75. Thank you for the giveaway and spreading awareness on Autism!

    Mary

    mary_reiss @ hotmail.com

    Following GFC.

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  76. GFC Follower - Rita M
    rmelton[at]hotmail[dot]com
    You might want to check out Truddi Chase's When Rabbit Howls a gut-wrenching retelling of the authors personal story of multiple personality disorder.

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  77. Thank you for helping to spread awareness and for your lovely giveaway.

    One of my favourite books is a truly engaging book called Set This House in Order by Matt Ruff in which the protagonist struggles with Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly Multiple Personality Disorder). It is a story of self-discovery.

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  78. I would love to win this book!

    And answering your question, No.

    joanne.j at hotmail dot com

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  79. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
    girl23rocks at hotmail dot com

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  80. re-your question of books on disability - many by Jean Vanier.

    thx for this opp! would love the book - your generosity is much appreciated...

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  81. Please count me in the giveaway. I would like to read this book.
    k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

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  82. I'd love to play please. Thanks.

    lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  83. Ooh, the book sounds good (: Thank you!

    Hi Larry
    purkey[dot]returns[at]gmail[dot]com

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  84. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    xxsquigglesxx(at)gmail(dot)com

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  85. thanks for the opportunity
    mpelosi at partners dot org

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  86. I don't think I've ever read a book about disabilities. I do have a nephew with Asperger's though, so I'm glad people are bringing awareness to this.

    lhoffpauir at gmail

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  87. I recently read Gone by Michael Grant and there's this little kid with autism. The story doesn't focus on him, but I was really impressed by the way he was portraited, and how his sister took care of him.

    Thanks for the giveaway :)

    jen7waters at gmail dot com

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  88. I think I have not read anything on this one but I've read Handle With Care by Judi Picoult on rare disease but quite forgotten the name of it.

    I would love to read the book. Thanks!

    darlyn225 at gmail dot com

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  89. Thank you for spreading awareness about Autism (:
    I have read the Curious Incident of the Dog in the night time and that was one of the most interesting books I've ever read about a mental disability.
    ejhtan at gmail dot com

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  90. Thanks for taking part in the Hop. More Voices Louder Words.

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  91. I love Jodi Picoult's books. The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night Time is interesting.

    sarah.setar@gmail.com

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  92. Thank you for the giveaway. I would love to read this book.

    luvwendy87 at hotmail dot com

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  93. Thanks for spreading Autism awareness.

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  94. Very nice post!

    velvethubler(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  95. This book had a great story to tell. I have yet to read a book with this kind of story line from the perspective of someone with Autism. The story line was in fact engaging but where it falls short are the characters. Normally Jodi Picoult's books have so many fascinating characters and with this one I really have to say that only one or maybe two of the characters caught my attention. I even found myself speed reading the chapters of the characters I had no interest in. I will say that she made Jacob very believable. I can only assume because I have personally never had the pleasure of knowing anyone with autism but it did seem very believable to me.

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