Bibliography
Kochka, and Sarah Adams. 2006. The Boy Who Ate Stars. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9781416900382.
Plot Summary
Twelve year old Lucy is eager to reach her goal of meeting every neighbor in her new apartment building at 11 Rue Merlin, as she is intrigued by all of the foreign-sounding names on the mailboxes. However, her goal is immediately changed when she meets 4 year old Matthew, a boy with autism that lives upstairs. She and her best friend Theo set out to learn more about autism as they try to understand Matthew and his mysterious actions. They enlist the help of Franҫois, a dog belonging to the neighbors, Mr. & Mrs. Marotte de Montigny, or the Maroettes for short.
Critical Analysis
Kochka, and Sarah Adams. 2006. The Boy Who Ate Stars. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9781416900382.
Plot Summary
Twelve year old Lucy is eager to reach her goal of meeting every neighbor in her new apartment building at 11 Rue Merlin, as she is intrigued by all of the foreign-sounding names on the mailboxes. However, her goal is immediately changed when she meets 4 year old Matthew, a boy with autism that lives upstairs. She and her best friend Theo set out to learn more about autism as they try to understand Matthew and his mysterious actions. They enlist the help of Franҫois, a dog belonging to the neighbors, Mr. & Mrs. Marotte de Montigny, or the Maroettes for short.
Critical Analysis
The only book written by author, Kochka, who was born in Lebanon to a French father and Lebanese mother, has many cultural markers. She now resides in France and many of the French influences are depicted throughout this novel which approaches the topic of autism from the viewpoint of a young French girl named Lucy and her best friend Theo as they desperately try to understand the reason for 4 year old Matthew’s actions as he spins himself into his own world. The two girls make use of a neighbor’s house dog that is treated like a “fashion accessory” by his owners. The dog and Matthew form a bond and the bond allows Lucy and Theo to observe more of Matthew’s actions in hopes of him experiencing some interactions with people other than his unusual infatuation with women’s hair that he feels he must twist and twirl with his hands. The four go on adventures to notable places in France and visit sidewalk cafés, and bakeries to purchase their family’s daily baguette, which is reminiscent of the culture in France. Never far behind is Matthew’s nanny, Maugo who is from Russia and speaks no French.
Lucy is intrigued by Maugo and her innate ability to understand Matthew without being able to speak the language of Matthew’s mother, Marie. Lucy compares Maugo to her own Russian matryoshka doll that is made of many layers. Maugo also has many layers including her own cultural connection through the food she serves to Matthew and his mother, and the rugs that she displays in the family’s home.
The author looks at autism through an open lens. Matthew’s disabilities are real and their severity, at times, is intense. It leaves Lucy and Theo frightened and unsure about how to handle him although they quickly begin to explain to the customers in a bar they visit that he has autism, and they explain what autism is and why Matthew reacts in a certain manner. In this case, Lucy and Theo are fortunate that the French people are open minded and willing to overlook his behavior.
In the end, Matthew’s connection with Franҫois turns out to be a huge awakening. When Franҫois runs away, it is Matthew’s instinct to return to a familiar place they had each visited in the past. Once there, he began to tap his drum. The sound led Franҫois back to Matthew, Lucy, and Theo. After this common link was connected, Lucy decided that she wanted to grow up and teach children with autism. Her goal was to banish the world from preconceived ideas about the disorder and those affected by it.
Awards
Nominee - Rennes Prize, France
Review Excerpts
“In this French import, twelve-year-old Lucy's goal is to learn about every neighbor in her family's new apartment building. Lucy is particularly intrigued by four-year-old Matthew, who is autistic, and she makes friends with his mother, Marie, so she can be closer to him. Lucy and friend Theodora's new mission is to understand autism (the dictionary definition of "a pathological withdrawal into an interior world" doesn't cut it) by getting to know Matthew.” Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“This stunning first novel is an eloquent meditation on autism, love, and courage. Having just moved to a Paris apartment, 12-year-old Lucy can't wait to meet her neighbors. She encounters Marie, the loving mother of autistic four-year-old Matthew, and Maougo, their silent Russian nanny. The description of autism is mysterious and elusive. Matthew is characterized as a small independent planet spinning inside of himself, and as an extraterrestrial who feels reality intensely. The celestial imagery continues as Lucy, seeing the boy's fascination with a jar of sparkling marbles, observes that he "eats stars as he goes to sleep." School Library Journal
Lucy is intrigued by Maugo and her innate ability to understand Matthew without being able to speak the language of Matthew’s mother, Marie. Lucy compares Maugo to her own Russian matryoshka doll that is made of many layers. Maugo also has many layers including her own cultural connection through the food she serves to Matthew and his mother, and the rugs that she displays in the family’s home.
The author looks at autism through an open lens. Matthew’s disabilities are real and their severity, at times, is intense. It leaves Lucy and Theo frightened and unsure about how to handle him although they quickly begin to explain to the customers in a bar they visit that he has autism, and they explain what autism is and why Matthew reacts in a certain manner. In this case, Lucy and Theo are fortunate that the French people are open minded and willing to overlook his behavior.
In the end, Matthew’s connection with Franҫois turns out to be a huge awakening. When Franҫois runs away, it is Matthew’s instinct to return to a familiar place they had each visited in the past. Once there, he began to tap his drum. The sound led Franҫois back to Matthew, Lucy, and Theo. After this common link was connected, Lucy decided that she wanted to grow up and teach children with autism. Her goal was to banish the world from preconceived ideas about the disorder and those affected by it.
Awards
Nominee - Rennes Prize, France
Review Excerpts
“In this French import, twelve-year-old Lucy's goal is to learn about every neighbor in her family's new apartment building. Lucy is particularly intrigued by four-year-old Matthew, who is autistic, and she makes friends with his mother, Marie, so she can be closer to him. Lucy and friend Theodora's new mission is to understand autism (the dictionary definition of "a pathological withdrawal into an interior world" doesn't cut it) by getting to know Matthew.” Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“This stunning first novel is an eloquent meditation on autism, love, and courage. Having just moved to a Paris apartment, 12-year-old Lucy can't wait to meet her neighbors. She encounters Marie, the loving mother of autistic four-year-old Matthew, and Maougo, their silent Russian nanny. The description of autism is mysterious and elusive. Matthew is characterized as a small independent planet spinning inside of himself, and as an extraterrestrial who feels reality intensely. The celestial imagery continues as Lucy, seeing the boy's fascination with a jar of sparkling marbles, observes that he "eats stars as he goes to sleep." School Library Journal
Connections
Look for these books as resources for young readers to learn more about autism:
Coe, Julie L. The Friendship Puzzle: Helping Kids Learn about Accepting and Including Kids with Autism. ISBN 9780978918248
Ely, Lesley. Looking After Louis. ISBN 9780807547465
Band, Eva B. Autism Through a Sister's Eyes: A Book for Children about High-Functioning Autism and Related Disorders. ISBN 9781885477712
Look for these books as resources for young readers to learn more about autism:
Coe, Julie L. The Friendship Puzzle: Helping Kids Learn about Accepting and Including Kids with Autism. ISBN 9780978918248
Ely, Lesley. Looking After Louis. ISBN 9780807547465
Band, Eva B. Autism Through a Sister's Eyes: A Book for Children about High-Functioning Autism and Related Disorders. ISBN 9781885477712
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