Shelly's Book Blog

I wanted to read Colder Than Ice, by David Patneaude, because it features a character with Asperger's Syndrome. This is a short book, written at a third grade level but about 6th and 7th grade kids. Josh Showalter is one of three new kids in his class and he really wants to fit in. One of the other new kids, Mark, has Asperger's, and the other is a girl, Skye, who started at the school only a few months before. The three new kids are given seats at a table together and soon become friends. As in so many school stories for kids, though, there is a bully and his cohorts (think Draco Malfoy with friends Crabbe and Goyle) to mix things up and make the hero's life difficult. This story is a little different, though, because Josh wants very much to be friends with the bully (who is named Corey) and be a part of his social circle, so Josh tries to pull off the impossible and be friends with everyone.

Mark's eccentricities do seem consistent with Asperger's to me. He doesn't look people in the eye, doesn't like to be hugged, worries about things that seem silly to others, and has an intense interest (photography). However, I'm not sure if I buy how quickly and easily Josh and Skye accept Mark and become friends with him. I guess these two are just exceptionally kind and understanding people, which is wonderful to see. I liked this book, and I think the suspenseful ending will captivate many young readers, even if they have no interest in learning about Asperger's.