The Reason I Jump

The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism

By Naoki Higashida | Publisher: Knopf Canada

About the book

A story never before told and a memoir to help change our understanding of the world around us, 13-year-old Naoki Higashida's astonishing, empathetic book takes us into the mind of a boy with severe autism. With an introduction by David Mitchell, author of the global phenomenon, Cloud Atlas, and translated by his wife, KA Yoshida.
     Naoki Higashida was only a middle-schooler when he began to write The Reason I Jump. Autistic and with very low verbal fluency, Naoki used an alphabet grid to painstakingly spell out his answers to the questions he imagines others most often wonder about him: why do you talk so loud? Is it true you hate being touched? Would you like to be normal? The result is an inspiring, attitude-transforming book that will be embraced by anyone interested in understanding their fellow human beings, and by parents, caregivers, teachers, and friends of autistic children. Naoki examines issues as diverse and complex as self-harm, perceptions of time and beauty, and the challenges of communication, and in doing so, discredits the popular belief that autistic people are anti-social loners who lack empathy.
     This book is mesmerizing proof that inside an autistic body is a mind as subtle, curious, and caring as anyone else's.

Editions of The Reason I Jump

Hardcover
ISBN 9780345807809
Hardcover
ISBN 9780812994865
Paperback
ISBN 9780812985153
Paperback
ISBN 9780345807823
EBook
ISBN 9780345807816
EBook
ISBN 9780812994872

Read an Excerpt

A story never before told and a memoir to help change our understanding of the world around us, 13-year-old Naoki Higashida's astonishing, empathetic book takes us into the mind of a boy with severe autism. With an introduction by David Mitchell, author of the global phenomenon, Cloud Atlas, and translated by his wife, KA Yoshida.
     Naoki Higashida was only a middle-schooler when he began to write The Reason I Jump. Autistic and with very low verbal fluency, Naoki used an alphabet grid to painstakingly spell out his answers to the questions he imagines others most often wonder about him: why do you talk so loud? Is it true you hate being touched? Would you like to be normal? The result is an inspiring, attitude-transforming book that will be embraced by anyone interested in understanding their fellow human beings, and by parents, caregivers, teachers, and friends of autistic children. Naoki examines issues as diverse and complex as self-harm, perceptions of time and beauty, and the challenges of communication, and in doing so, discredits the popular belief that autistic people are anti-social loners who lack empathy.
     This book is mesmerizing proof that inside an autistic body is a mind as subtle, curious, and caring as anyone else's.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Reason I Jump about?

A story never before told and a memoir to help change our understanding of the world around us, 13-year-old Naoki Higashida's astonishing, empathetic book takes us into the mind of a boy with severe autism. With an introduction by David Mitchell, author of the global phenomenon, Cloud Atlas, and translated by his wife, KA Yoshida.
     Naoki Higashida was only a middle-schooler when he began to write The Reason I Jump. Autistic and with very low verbal fluency, Naoki used an alphabet grid to painstakingly spell out his answers to the questions he imagines others most often wonder about him: why do you talk so loud? Is it true you hate being touched? Would you like to be normal? The result is an inspiring, attitude-transforming book that will be embraced by anyone interested in understanding their fellow human beings, and by parents, caregivers, teachers, and friends of autistic children. Naoki examines issues as diverse and complex as self-harm, perceptions of time and beauty, and the challenges of communication, and in doing so, discredits the popular belief that autistic people are anti-social loners who lack empathy.
     This book is mesmerizing proof that inside an autistic body is a mind as subtle, curious, and caring as anyone else's.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Reason I Jump?

Health, Relationships and Personal development > Family and health > Coping with / advice about personal, social and health topics > Coping with / advice about neurodevelopmental issues or topics > Coping with / advice about autism spectrum disorder

Where can I read a sample of The Reason I Jump?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780345807809

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Reason I Jump?

Naoki Higashida

Who is the Publisher of the book The Reason I Jump?

Knopf Canada

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Reason I Jump is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780345807809) and hardcover(ISBN 9780812994865) and paperback(ISBN 9780812985153) and paperback(ISBN 9780345807823) and ebook(ISBN 9780345807816) and ebook(ISBN 9780812994872)

Where can I buy The Reason I Jump online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy The Reason I Jump from below

Where can I buy The Reason I Jump?