Ways to Be Me
As seen:
By Libby Scott, and and, Rebecca Westcott
avg rating
15 reviews
From the bestselling author duo behind Can You See Me? comes this exceptional portrayal of autism diagnosis, with diary entries by 12-year-old autistic author Libby Scott. Taking place before Can You See Me? and Do You Know Me? this standout prequel follows Tally through her autism diagnosis in her final year of primary school. Ten-year-old Tally had high hopes for Year 6. Being in the top class at school means a whole host of privileges, but even better than that is the school production - and Tally is convinced she’ll win the lead role. But at home, things aren’t going so well. Mum and Dad have been making Tally feel pressured and upset, and Tally wishes things didn’t bother her so much – but they do, and sometimes she feels so misunderstood and frustrated, she could explode. Then Tally’s mum and dad tell her about something she’s never heard about before. Something called autism. And everything changes. The third book written in collaboration with Libby Scott & prequel to the bestselling Can You See Me? When Libby’s mum shared a short piece of Libby’s writing online it soon went viral, with tens of thousands of people saying that Libby’s writing helped them understand autism for the first time This fictionalised portrayal of a young autistic girl is written by Rebecca Westcott, in close collaboration with Libby Scott, making it a truly original and inspirational book that will give readers of all ages a deeper understanding of what it’s like to be autistic Perfect for fans of The Goldfish Boy, Wonder and The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night-time PRAISE FOR CAN YOU SEE ME ’This is a powerful and highly relatable story about fitting in and being yourself. Tally’s diary entries give an authentic insight into one girl’s perspective of being autistic, and smashing a host of common assumptions and stereotypes about autism as we see Tally’s potent sense of humour and her deep empathy.’ Booktrust ’Recommended for readers with autism who will feel genuinely
seen and for those desiring to see others
more clearly’ Kirkus
Reviews
This book is great for people who have autism because even if you have autism it doesn't mean you aren't normal or nice .
The story takes place as Tally is about to transition to secondary school—a daunting change for any child, but especially challenging for someone with autism. Tally’s life is filled with routines that help her feel safe, but her world often feels chaotic when those routines are disrupted. She struggles with sensory overload, social interactions, and a general feeling of being different from her peers. However, Tally also possesses a keen sense of observation, a deep love of animals, and a fierce desire to be accepted for who she is. What sets Ways to Be Me apart is the raw honesty in the portrayal of Tally’s experiences. I got a first-hand look at the frustrations, fears, and joys that come with being neurodivergent in a world that often doesn’t understand or accommodate those differences. Through Tally’s perspective, the novel explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the importance of empathy.
First time I read/hear about Autism. Absolutely loved the book.
This book is a true book that I read for hours on end. The 3rd book by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott it is incredible and moving.
It was good, but I wasn't overly impressed with it like I am with most books. It's brilliant for understanding autistic people, but like most books like these, the only reason Tally is in this book is because she finds out she's autistic. There is hardly a side character that is autistic in books which is quite unfair.
I like it and it's very cool
I would maybe not recommend it to my friends because this book is kind of my personal favorite because I'm autistic and I don't like sharing what I read.
I enjoyed this book about ten-year old Tally, a girl desperate to fit in and be like her classmates but not understanding why she finds this hard to do. She learns during the story that she is autistic and at first struggles to accept this about herself. I have recently learnt that I am autistic myself, so although my experience does not exactly match Tally's, I could relate to some of her struggles and the surprise of discovering there is a name for our quirks.
This book is very deep as Tally gets diagnosed with Autism and goes through challenges but I liked it.
I rate this book a 4 because it is very nice and spreads awareness but it lost a star because it could have been a bit more fun. My favourite character is Tally’s (Natalia’s) best friend as she helps Tally when things are difficult. I would recommend it to anyone who likes family books or just wants to have a lovely, calm read.
i would definitely recommend this to everyone here i really have learnt a-lot and loved this book about tally and hhe family \
p.s i really liked nell
I really enjoyed this prequel to "Can you see me?" A great book for children, parents, teachers and TA's, as it gives an insight into the world of Year 6 student Tally, as she comes to accept herself for who she is, as well as her autism diagnosis. Some great tips from Libby "on how to be friends with an autistic person" at the back of the book too. Looking forward to reading "Do you know me?" next!
This was a great book. It helped you understand what life might be like for an autistic person. My favourite character was Ginny.
A good, fun, easy to read book which gives you a good insight into the life of an autistic person. My favourite character was Miles or Tally. I would recommend.
A brilliant prequel to the rest of the trilogy. Has really helped me and my daughter. Sensitively follows the journey of Tally, a girl in year 6 receiving her autism diagnosis. Recommended to all teachers to read as well as UKS2.
