The Reason I Jump - Naoki Higashida, Ka Yoshida & David Mitchell

The Reason I Jump

By Naoki Higashida, Ka Yoshida & David Mitchell

  • Release Date: 2013-08-27
  • Genre: Family & Relationships
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 778 Ratings

Description

“One of the most remarkable books I’ve ever read. It’s truly moving, eye-opening, incredibly vivid.”—Jon Stewart, The Daily Show

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY
NPR • The Wall Street Journal • Bloomberg Business • Bookish

FINALIST FOR THE BOOKS FOR A BETTER LIFE FIRST BOOK AWARD • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

You’ve never read a book like The Reason I Jump. Written by Naoki Higashida, a very smart, very self-aware, and very charming thirteen-year-old boy with autism, it is a one-of-a-kind memoir that demonstrates how an autistic mind thinks, feels, perceives, and responds in ways few of us can imagine. Parents and family members who never thought they could get inside the head of their autistic loved one at last have a way to break through to the curious, subtle, and complex life within.
 
Using an alphabet grid to painstakingly construct words, sentences, and thoughts that he is unable to speak out loud, Naoki answers even the most delicate questions that people want to know. Questions such as: “Why do people with autism talk so loudly and weirdly?” “Why do you line up your toy cars and blocks?” “Why don’t you make eye contact when you’re talking?” and “What’s the reason you jump?” (Naoki’s answer: “When I’m jumping, it’s as if my feelings are going upward to the sky.”) With disarming honesty and a generous heart, Naoki shares his unique point of view on not only autism but life itself. His insights—into the mystery of words, the wonders of laughter, and the elusiveness of memory—are so startling, so strange, and so powerful that you will never look at the world the same way again.
 
In his introduction, bestselling novelist David Mitchell writes that Naoki’s words allowed him to feel, for the first time, as if his own autistic child was explaining what was happening in his mind. “It is no exaggeration to say that The Reason I Jump allowed me to round a corner in our relationship.” This translation was a labor of love by David and his wife, KA Yoshida, so they’d be able to share that feeling with friends, the wider autism community, and beyond. Naoki’s book, in its beauty, truthfulness, and simplicity, is a gift to be shared.

Praise for The Reason I Jump

“This is an intimate book, one that brings readers right into an autistic mind.”Chicago Tribune (Editor’s Choice)

“Amazing times a million.”—Whoopi Goldberg, People

The Reason I Jump is a Rosetta stone. . . . This book takes about ninety minutes to read, and it will stretch your vision of what it is to be human.”—Andrew Solomon, The Times (U.K.)

“Extraordinary, moving, and jeweled with epiphanies.”—The Boston Globe
 
“Small but profound . . . [Higashida’s] startling, moving insights offer a rare look inside the autistic mind.”Parade

Reviews

  • Beautiful Soul

    5
    By Acucraniatsu
    If we slow down and take the time to listen, there are treasures in those we find so different from ourselves...
  • Heart-wrenching

    5
    By silly-o
    I connected with a lot moments in this. The spinning and laughing at old memories. The difficulty at finding the right words. It made me tear up at times. It was a wonderful read.
  • Well worth reading

    5
    By Nihozas
    As the grandparent of an autistic child this book highlights our duty to stick with and not ignore our precious gifts of children. Autism is a spectrum disease as is most of life’s challenges. Once you realize your job is, as a provider of an environment to help your child, you can enjoy the daily interactions with your special child.
  • Thought provoking insights

    5
    By Reno Linda
    Highly recommend this easy to read, enlightening book. I don’t quite know what else to say except that I will try to remember to be more patient with the person in my life who I believe has undiagnosed Aspergers when he’s doing annoying things... he can’t really help himself.
  • Great read

    5
    By danvas11
    I really enjoyed this book. Raising a child with Autism is not easy and I learned a lot from this book. It help me better understand what my son goes through and how he sees the world. I see similarities with my son that made me smile while reading and some that made me cry. Its a great read.
  • The sample is a forward

    1
    By Jamesdrewafhihxdyjbdr
    The sample for this is the forward for the book. How does that tell me ANYTHING about the contents?
  • By Brianne’s Reviews

    5
    By brianne0741
    This book was a short, sweet, and to the point type book. I would highly recommend this book. Reading it gives you somewhat of an understanding of what someone with autism is thinking. Granted, everyone is different in his or her thinking, but it gives you a general idea. This book would benefit anyone. You never know when you are going to run into someone with autism, and being able to understand and not get frustrated with them when you are interacting with them will help both parties involved.
  • Unforgettable

    5
    By Jonnie csr
    This is the most important book about autism I have read.
  • The Reason I Jump

    5
    By ot nan
    This book should be read by everyone who interacts with people with autism. It gives you a glimpse into a mind that works very differently than your own but has the same heartfelt desires as yours. it is enlightening and touching. As an OT that works with many children with autism I am going to read this book a number of times so the lessons contained in it can be fully absorbed by my mind and my soul. I am so glad this is available and I am going to share it with many others.
  • So disappointed

    1
    By Katushinka
    I read many reviews before purchasing this book. As a teacher and family member of a child on the spectrum, I decided to buy it despite several negative reviews I'm so sorry I did! This book was wholly unbelievable to me. I doubt its authenticity. It was not helpful in the least. Pass this one by.