Real

By: Carol Cujec, Peyton Goddard

Narrated by: Rachel Jacobs

Inspired by a true story, Real speaks to all those who’ve ever felt they didn’t belong and reminds listeners that all people are worthy of being included.

My name is Charity. I am 13 years old. Actually, 13 years plus 87 days. I love sour gummies and pepperoni pizza. That last part no one knows because I have not spoken a sentence since I was born. Each dawning day, I live in terror of my unpredictable body that no one understands.

Charity may have mad math skills and a near-perfect memory, but with a mouth that can’t speak and a body that jumps, rocks, and howls unpredictably, most people incorrectly assume she cannot learn. Charity’s brain works differently from most people’s because of her autism, but she’s still funny, determined, and kind. So why do people treat her like a disease or ignore her like she’s invisible?

When Charity’s parents enroll her in a public junior high school, she faces her greatest fears. Will kids make fun of her? Will her behavior get her kicked out? Will her million thoughts stay locked in her head forever? With the support of teachers and newfound friends, Charity will have to fight to be treated like a real student.

©2020 Carol Cujec and Peyton Goddard Irrevocable Special Needs Trust (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

Idk what to call dis comment

That must have been so hard! Really sorry about all dat, but theres a fifteen word minimum so ima type some more ok that should do it.

More understanding for Autism

As a college-graduate & teacher, this book was amazing about how someone with autism can be overlooked. As an aunt to an autistic nephew, this knowledge is such a blessing to comprehend the gifts available within someone who’s trapped inside their disabilities. Every educator should study this book.

Wow! Great Book on the value of everyone!

After having spent 30 years in the business offices of the public school districts in the state of Texas, I can attest to the love and support of the majority of teachers working with our special needs students! Their encouragement, belief in all children being worthy of an education, and their efforts to support all students, no matter their needs, has been an inspiration to me to do all I can do for ALL students! I see this book as a tribute to them and the students who need their voice heard..thanks to the authors for bringing it to life.

Head changer

I loved it. This book really opens your mind to someone having autism and their daily struggles. Very good read, it will open your world wider.

Very moving, gave me a new point of view

If you want a book that will make you laugh, cry, sympathize with the characters, and help you learn some new animal facts, then Real is the book for you! The characters are very funny, and the way the author describes things really makes you feel for the character. I got the hardcover copy and finished in 2 days. I’m so glad I picked it off my shelf. As for the audiobook, I preferred the physical copy. The narrator was slow and robotic, and I had to raise the speed to be able to fully understand what she says. Even then, I couldn’t get past the first 3 chapters and longed for the actual book. If I hadn’t already read the book, I wouldn’t have been able to finish this amazing read. Definitely not the voice I pictured for Charity.

As an aspiring author, I wish I could write like this. I moved with Charity, and felt like I was in the book, experiencing events and feeling all the emotions. An addicting read, I was sad when it was over. This book needs to be in every single classroom above 3rd grade.