Barbara N. Clark's Getting to Know Andrew is a coming-of-age story that follows the adventures of a thirteen-year-old boy on the autism spectrum. Andrew doesn't like loud noises. Although he is still in eighth grade, Andrew aspires to become an astronaut one day. His loyal service dog, Fiona, a golden retriever, accompanies him everywhere, even at school. Sometimes, Andrew tends to daydream about being an astronaut in class, and Fiona ends up nudging him to come back to reality. He is friends with Isabella, a classmate with a golden retriever named Cloud. Andrew and Fiona also help their new classmate Christina, who fell down some stairs. Meanwhile, he sees a portal in his room from which rockets launch. Andrew gets a big boost when his dad takes him to NASA.

Getting to Know Andrew is a beautiful story about a neurodivergent boy who navigates middle school, home life, and friendships while chasing his lifelong dream. Author Barbara N. Clark draws on her own experiences working with neurodivergent people to provide an excellent perspective on people with autism with her portrayal of Andrew. It was fascinating to see how people like Andrew think and view the world around them. I loved the relationship dynamics between Andrew and his parents. Andrew making a cake for his mother on her birthday was one of my favorite scenes from the book. I also enjoyed his bond with Fiona and his friendship with Isabella. The ending definitely brightened my day, and I think it will make others smile too. All in all, it's an absorbing coming-of-age tale.

In Getting to Know Andrew by Barbara N Clark, PhD, Andrew is a thirteen-year-old boy navigating the challenges of middle school the same way as other normal kids his age. At school, Andrew encounters ignorance and bullying, annoying and loud classes, and new friendships, including a budding relationship with a girl who could become his girlfriend. But Andrew is not a normal kid. He’s on the Autism Spectrum and relies on his service dog, Fiona, to journey through life. Fiona not only helps him, she’s also his best friend. She accompanies Andrew everywhere, even on the dazzling journeys his mind takes into space via rocket launches from his bedroom.

Getting to Know Andrew is an interesting and intimate look inside the mind of a teen with autism. The way Andrew’s brain works makes perfect sense to him; his challenge comes from figuring out how best to manage the noise, clutter, and social norms of interacting with other people in his life. He has loving parents, who are an immense help to him and whom he appreciates, despite not always knowing how to communicate it to them. The most endearing part of the story is Andrew’s relationship with Fiona. It’s sweet, and the importance of service dogs and the incredible way they care for their humans is both loving and impressive. The narrative also gives you a brief look into the world of aerospace from Andrew’s perspective. Barbara N Clark provides a useful and informative look into the world of autism and offers a gentle and poignant reminder to embrace empathy as we encounter others and to appreciate each other's beautiful gifts.