“One of the most remarkable books I’ve ever read. It’s truly moving, eye-opening, incredibly vivid.”—Jon Stewart, The Daily ShowNAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BYNPR • The Wall Street Journal • Bloomberg Business • BookishFINALIST FOR THE BOOKS FOR A BETTER LIFE FIRST BOOK AWARD • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERYou’ve never read a book like The Reason I Jump. Written by Naoki Higashida, a very … BESTSELLER
You’ve never read a book like The Reason I Jump. Written by Naoki Higashida, a very smart, very self-aware, and very charming thirteen-year-old boy with autism, it is a one-of-a-kind memoir that demonstrates how an autistic mind thinks, feels, perceives, and responds in ways few of us can imagine. Parents and family members who never thought they could get inside the head of their autistic loved one at last have a way to break through to the curious, subtle, and complex life within.
Using an alphabet grid to painstakingly construct words, sentences, and thoughts that he is unable to speak out loud, Naoki answers even the most delicate questions that people want to know. Questions such as: “Why do people with autism talk so loudly and weirdly?” “Why do you line up your toy cars and blocks?” “Why don’t you make eye contact when you’re talking?” and “What’s the reason you jump?” (Naoki’s answer: “When I’m jumping, it’s as if my feelings are going upward to the sky.”) With disarming honesty and a generous heart, Naoki shares his unique point of view on not only autism but life itself. His insights—into the mystery of words, the wonders of laughter, and the elusiveness of memory—are so startling, so strange, and so powerful that you will never look at the world the same way again.
In his introduction, bestselling novelist David Mitchell writes that Naoki’s words allowed him to feel, for the first time, as if his own autistic child was explaining what was happening in his mind. “It is no exaggeration to say that The Reason I Jump allowed me to round a corner in our relationship.” This translation was a labor of love by David and his wife, KA Yoshida, so they’d be able to share that feeling with friends, the wider autism community, and beyond. Naoki’s book, in its beauty, truthfulness, and simplicity, is a gift to be shared.
Praise for The Reason I Jump
“This is an intimate book, one that brings readers right into an autistic mind.”—Chicago Tribune (Editor’s Choice)
“Amazing times a million.”—Whoopi Goldberg, People
“The Reason I Jump is a Rosetta stone. . . . This book takes about ninety minutes to read, and it will stretch your vision of what it is to be human.”—Andrew Solomon, The Times (U.K.)
“Extraordinary, moving, and jeweled with epiphanies.”—The Boston Globe
“Small but profound . . . [Higashida’s] startling, moving insights offer a rare look inside the autistic mind.”—Parade
more
This is an amazing look into the mind of an autistic 12 year old. While every child, and every experience is different, this book demands that we look beyond autistic behaviors and realize that there is a real, thinking, feeling individual inside who is even more frustrated by the inability to communicate as caregivers are. Anyone who knows an autistic child, or knows a caregiver, should read this book.
This book helped me to better understand my autistic grandson.
Very interesting, written from perspective of autistic teenager
This book gave me the insight of an autistic child. It was all that I had hoped it would be!
Great information for anyone who knows someone on the autism spectrum.
Great insight into the hidden world of the child with autism.
I was amazed that an autistic person can communicate by using tactile devices.
It gives people hope that things can be done to help these people with
autism.
It helps to understand autism from the inside as this young man has shown.
Gives a rare look inside the mind of an adolescent autistic boy. He does not speak but his mind is so brilliant. He tries to answer some of the questions we have about why autistic kids do the things they do.
This book describes the thinking and motivations of a 13-year-old autistic young man. He is bright and articulate, though he can’t speak orally. He makes very clear what is going on in his mind and actions and how we, the “normal“ world, can better understand the autistic world. This book was easy to read and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn. I am ready to read his next book, written several years later.
Great insight into the feelings and actions of one with autism.
This book really gave me a good insight into the behaviors of someone on the autism spectrum. I am not sure it’s legitimate though. I don’t think that an autistic person would have the advanced theory of mind this author demonstrates. Hmmmm…
Not very interesting or informative.
incredible view into the amazing autistic brain. and he is only 13yrs old. only just discovering his potential
I listened to this book on audible and loved it. As the grandmother of an autistic boy, I can say that it is very accurate.
If you have a child, family member, or close friend living with autism, this book is a must read. Glimpsing into the mind of this boy and the daily struggles involved, gives one appreciation for the courage necessary to face each day.
I’m not sure this is what’s going on in every autistic child’s world but it was a good opening for people to see they are people. They may need extra help and understanding but they can achieve anything.
Eye opening view of autism from the inside. Thanks to the young author for his insight.
One of the most remarkable books I’ve ever read. It’s truly moving, eye-opening, incredibly vivid.
This is an amazing lens into the world of autism. It answers those questions…..” I wonder what he’s/she’s thinking.”