Things Seen From Above – Shelley Pearsall, Alfred A. Knopf; (9781524717391), 2020
Format: hardcover
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Genre: realistic fiction
What did you like about the book? When April has a falling out with her only friend on the first day of sixth grade, she volunteers to help out with the Buddy Bench for fourth grade recess during her lunch period to avoid having to be social with her own peers. April is kind and sees herself as a helpful person; she writes an advice column for the school newspaper and acts mature for her age in her role as sixth grade Buddy Bench volunteer. In her time on the playground, April notices a boy named Joey Byrd who acts strangely. April and fellow Buddy Bench volunteer Parveena (Veena) work together to try and talk to Joey, but he is inscrutable. He walks in circles, doesn’t talk to anyone, and sometimes lies on the ground with his eyes closed. April takes notes and eventually discovers that Joey is making art that can be seen best from above. April and Veena connect with Mr. Ulysses, the school janitor, to help the school and larger community appreciate Joey’s gifts. Occasional chapters show Joey’s point of view (albeit in 3rd person). Black and white illustrations help the reader see the world from Joey’s perspective, as well. The author’s afterword discusses visual-spatial gifts in other people, the phenomenon of crop circles and other large art like Joey’s. If you’re looking for a feel-good story about kindness and appreciating everyone’s unique gifts then this will be a good choice.
To whom would you recommend this book? Students who like books about neurodivergence and kindness. This is a great readalike for Wonder.
Anything you didn’t like about it? Not really. It was a quick read, but also not one of my favorites. It felt a little didactic and saccharine at times, but overall it’s a wonderful read.
Who should buy this book? Recommended for most elementary and middle school libraries.
Where would you shelve it? Realistic
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? no
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Laura Gardner, Dartmouth Middle School, Dartmouth, MA
Date reviewed: February 29, 2020
Youth Services Book Review 
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