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Funny, You Don't Look Autistic - A Comedian's Guide to Life on the Spectrum

Funny, You Don't Look Autistic

A Comedian's Guide to Life on the Spectrum

By Michael McCreary
Categories: Young Adult Nonfiction
Themes: performing arts, humor, special needs, neurodiverse, neurodiversity, stand up comedy, stand up comic, ASD, aspergers, autism, autism spectrum disorder, comedy, coming of age, memoir, own voices, teen, teen nonfiction
Interest Age: 12+
Grade: 7+
Reading Level: Common Core Correlations
CCSS.ELA-Literacy Strand-Reading literature: W.7.2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10
RI.7.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
L.7.3,3a,4,4a,5,5a,5b,5c,6
SL.7.1,1c,1d,2,3,4,5,6

Reading Level: Lexile 900L
Paperback : 9781773212579, 176 pages, March 2019 , 9.0" x 6.0"
Ebook (EPUB) : 9781773212609, 176 pages, March 2019 Audiobook : 9781773213347, March 2019

Table of contents

Part 1: Portrait of the Aspie as a Young Man

   1 Obligatory Origin Story

   2 Senses Consensus Can Sense Us

   3 The Elementary School Doorstop

   4 Breaking My Legs

   5 The Funisher: Vol. 1

Part 2: Everyone Has an Anime Phase

6 Michael Begins: The Search for Approval

   7 I Fought the Law, and the Law Called My Parents

   8 Socially Awkward Man

   9 Cinema du Autism

   10 Say (Literally) Anything

   11 The Quest for Immortality

Part 3: Stim City

   12 Good Cop, Transit Cop

   13 Here Today, Improv Tomorrow

   14 The Temple Grandin Saga

   15 The Brothers Stim

   16 Generator 2: Judgment Day

Epilogue

Autism Resources

Related Media

Description

Like many others on the autism spectrum, 20-something stand-up comic Michael McCreary has been told by more than a few well-meaning folks that he doesn’t “look” autistic. But, as he’s quick to point out in this memoir, autism “looks” different for just about everyone with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Diagnosed with ASD at age five, McCreary got hit with the performance bug not much later. During a difficult time in junior high, he started journaling, eventually turning his pain e into something empowering—and funny. He scored his first stand-up gig at age 14, and hasn't looked back.

This unique and hilarious #OwnVoices memoir breaks down what it’s like to live with autism for readers on and off the spectrum. Candid scenes from McCreary's life are broken up with funny visuals and factual asides. Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic is an invaluable and compelling read for young readers with ASD looking for voices to relate to, as well as for readers hoping to broaden their understanding of ASD.

Awards

  • Joint winner, Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre 2019
  • Short-listed, Willow Award, Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards 2020
  • Joint winner, Best Bets List, Top Ten, Ontario Library Association 2020
  • Short-listed, Next Generation Indie Book Award 2020
  • Joint winner, Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List 2020
  • Joint winner, IBBY 2021 Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities 2021

Reviews

“Funny and powerful.” 

- Youth Services Book Review, 11/30/18

“A breezy, upbeat memoir.” 

- Kirkus Reviews, 12/09/18

“Delightfully engaging and informative, this is a noteworthy addition to a school or public library.” 

- School Library Journal, 02/19

“Original and captivatingly funny . . . The writing is catchy and sophisticated.” 

- CM Reviews, *starred review, 02/08/19

“Fresh, zippy, and funny while at the same time engrossing and enlightening.” 

- Booklist, 02/19

“Reflective yet quippy memoir . . . insightful and helpful.” 

- The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, 04/19

“Fun to read and filled with insights.” 

- Guelph Mercury, 05/29/19

“Inspiring and insightful, it’s a solid choice for a wide range of YA readers.” 

- Resource Links, 10/19

“Unique and hilarious.” 

- Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Center, 01/20