This is a powerful, well-crafted book that does something rare: it puts you inside the mind of an autistic kid without making her a caricature or inspiration porn. Rose is fully human—obsessive, determined, sometimes frustrating, always real.

But let's be clear: this is not an easy read. Rose's father is genuinely awful—neglectful, dismissive, emotionally abusive—and while the book handles it well, it's going to hit hard for any kid who's experienced similar dynamics. The lost dog plot is also genuinely distressing, not the kind of 'oh no, where's Spot?' situation that resolves in three pages.

That said, if your kid is ready for it, this is the kind of book that builds real empathy and understanding. It's enriching in the truest sense—not because it teaches a tidy lesson, but because it expands how you see other people. The homonym obsession is clever without being cutesy, and Martin's writing is clean and confident.

Not for sensitive younger readers or kids who can't handle emotional complexity. But for mature middle-graders? This is the good stuff.