| | | | | give high praise to the author, Mary Calhoun |
| Book nominated for "Outstanding Literary Work | | | | Brown, for being able to help me understand and |
| of the Year"just in time for Autism Awareness | | | | experience life in a way that an autistic child might. |
| Month | | | | How many times do we overlook or simplify |
| There Are No Words, a novel that has already | | | | what Autism is simply because we do not |
| been honored as "Outstanding Book For Young | | | | understand it or have never experienced its |
| People With Disabilities" by IBBY and won | | | | effects in our lives? How frustrating it must be to |
| runner-up at the Nashville Book Festival, has been | | | | be that child. To have to wonder about life every |
| nominated for the Autism Society's coveted | | | | day and yet never have any answers to your |
| "Outstanding Literary Work of the Year." | | | | questions." |
| The award is given annually to individuals in | | | | There Are No Words has earned five stars from |
| recognition of their commitment to the autism | | | | The Feathered Quill and continues to score |
| community. Awards are announced each year at | | | | positive reviews from both readers, educators |
| the Autism Society's Annual Meeting. This year | | | | and the autism community alike. |
| the meeting will be July 7-10, 2010, in Dallas, TX. | | | | Author Mary Calhoun Brown said, "I've been |
| Respected autism speaker and author Stephen | | | | having such a great time visiting with classrooms |
| Shore, who wrote Understanding Autism for | | | | all over the place. I've given creative writing |
| Dummies, called the book "A fascinating entry in | | | | workshops and answered questions at author |
| the world of autism through an endearing | | | | visits. The response from readers has been |
| character going back into time to rescue her | | | | overwhelming. I'm just so happy to have given |
| grandfather's best friend. In addition to being a | | | | breath to these characters. I had no idea how |
| great piece of writing, this book is for anyone | | | | much a hero like Jaxon was needed." |
| wanting to learn more about autism from an | | | | In honor of Autism Awareness Month, Brown will |
| ‘inside' view." | | | | donate $1 from each book sold from her web |
| The Midwest Book Review says, "The most | | | | site or personal visits to autism charities. The web |
| terrifying future is a future you cannot change. | | | | address is Members of the autism community |
| There Are No Words tells the story of a mute | | | | who would like to nominate their group to receive |
| girl who finds herself with a voice, but sent back | | | | funds may contact Brown at |
| decades ago. With the knowledge of a train | | | | The autism classroom at Enslow Middle School |
| wreck that will kill one of her grandfather's friends, | | | | have read There Are No Words and have invited |
| Jaxon MacKenzie finds herself in a time before | | | | Brown to visit and answer their questions Apr. 21, |
| said accident. But a twelve year old girl can't do | | | | 2010. Brown said, "I am so excited to visit Enslow |
| much to stop a government train...can she? There | | | | Middle School. I understand they have some |
| Are No Words is a charming story of | | | | strong opinions about There Are No Words. I |
| determination and friendship, highly recommended." | | | | can't wait to hear them." |
| Heidi Cortner Boiesen, of the IBBY Documentation | | | | Brown will be signing There Are No Words at the |
| Centre in Norway said, "[There Are No Words] is | | | | Ohio River Festival of Books Sat. Apr. 10, from 10 |
| a beautiful, genuine story about love and | | | | to 6 at the Cabell County (WV) Public Library. She |
| friendship, and I think [it has] captured the true | | | | will be speaking and signing at the Southern |
| hyper sensitivity to touch and sounds that so | | | | Kentucky Book Festival Sat. Apr. 17, from 9 a.m. |
| many autistic persons experience." | | | | to 4 p.m. in Bowling Green, KY. |
| Charline Ratcliff at Rebecca's Reads responds, "I | | | | |