She Persisted: Temple Grandin
Inspiring biography of brave woman with autism.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that She Persisted: Temple Grandin, by Lynn Miller-Lachmann and Chelsea Clinton, is an inspiring biography of a woman with autism who achieved great things in a time when society pushed people like her away. The way Temple's parents responded to her autism diagnosis is a reminder to embrace the idea that everyone develops in their own time, and to be gentle with ourselves when we aren't at the same place in school or life as others expect. "Different not less" is repeated in the book and is a great topic for families to talk about as it applies to their own lives. At the end of the book, there's a list of references to further explore these topics, and seven very helpful suggestions for related ways the reader can persist.
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What's the Story?
SHE PERSISTED: TEMPLE GRANDIN tells the life story of a woman born with autism who became an accomplished scientist, public speaker, and animal behavior expert. Though she was born at a time when people with autism were sent to live in institutions, Temple's parents kept her at home when she was young, hired people to teach her at her own pace, and sent her to local schools. That set her on a path to inventing things that help improve the lives of animals, which opened up a world where she could put her talents to use helping others understand both autism and animals. Even when people told her she didn't belong or couldn't do the work, she persisted and proved them wrong.
Is It Any Good?
This inspiring biography is a nice reminder that everyone has different gifts and talents, and that success doesn't depend on fitting into other people's expectations of "normal." She Persisted: Temple Grandin shows how Temple succeeded in ways that defied society's expectations. Temple's work with animals and in education gave her opportunities, and she doesn't shy away from acknowledging that it was hard and sometimes scary to take risks. Author Lyn Miller-Lachmann does a wonderful job showing the ways Temple and the people in her life persisted, especially when she decided to go public with her autism diagnosis.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what they can do to help people whose brains work differently, like the teachers and parents did in She Persisted: Temple Grandin. What are some of the things you can do to be sure their gifts and talents aren't wasted?
How can a community help everyone feel welcome and valued?
Have you thought about things you could invent? What problems would you like to solve?
Book Details
- Authors: Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Chelsea Clinton
- Illustrators: Alexandra Boiger, Gillian Flint
- Genre: Biography
- Topics: Activism, STEM, Great Girl Role Models, History, Horses and Farm Animals
- Character Strengths: Courage, Curiosity, Perseverance
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Philomel
- Publication date: April 5, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 6 - 9
- Number of pages: 80
- Available on: Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: April 25, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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How to Build a Hug: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine
Moving tale of Temple Grandin's girlhood pursuit of a hug.
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The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin
Upbeat rhymes tell amazing tale of scientist with autism.
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Calling All Minds: How to Think and Create Like an Inventor
Fun hands-on projects, inspiration for different thinkers.
For kids who love biographies and stories of people on the autism spectrum
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