Fragile Bones

Fragile Bones, by Lorna Schulte Nicholson, is a refreshing, delightful and fast read. The two stars of the book, Harrison and Anna could not be more different. Harrison is 15 and has high-functioning Autism, which he would like you to know was called Asperger's before some people decided to change the rules. Harrison is obsessed with bones, and when overstimulated, finds comfort in the strange world he lives in by repeating all the bones in the human body. Harrison is also very concerned about driving safely, hates sauces on his food, doesn't like his food to touch and watches Grey's Anatomy every day after school at a particular time, because time is important too.

Anna and Harrison meet when a new club is formed at school, similar to a big buddy program, that matches kids with disabilities with "normal" students to expand their social skills. Anna is a perfectionist and wants to get this perfect, just as she's done everything else in her life. Harrison doesn't want anything to do with Anna, especially because she's 1) a girl 2) called during Grey's anatomy and 3) might wear high heels.

Throughout the novel, we see their relationship blossom, and the struggles and victories that Anna and Harrison have both individually and together. Anna becomes more personable, and realized everything isn't black and white, and not everyone fits in a perfect box. Just because you read something about autism, doesn't mean that's what autism looks like for everyone diagnosed. And Harrison learns that stepping out of your comfort zone can bring about good things every once in a while. 

I loved the approach this book took. I loved how the author expressed Harrison through simple language and made him approachable and easy to relate to. You can feel what Harrison is going through and easily have empathy for him. The novel makes you sit back for a moment and reexamine yourself, at least it did for me. I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to anyone.