From the Publisher
-NYPL 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing, 2012
"A well written, admiring and thought-provoking portrait."—Kirkus
"Montgomery's book not only tells the powerful story of one amazing woman's life journey, but also has potential to help readers understand autistic people and animals."—Horn Book
"It isn't easy to describe how the mind of someone with autism works, but Montgomery's biography effectively breaks the disorder down for a younger audience while introducing the extraordinary life of activist Temple Grandin."—Booklist
"Lively, well-worded narrative...For librarians who struggle to find well-written biographies of women, this is a must-buy."—School Library Journal, starred review
VOYA
- Sharon Blumberg
Temple Grandin is a powerful biography featuring the life and accomplishments of Temple Grandin. The author reveals Grandin's genius intelligence and extraordinary, modern-day inventions. Grandin, diagnosed with autism when she was three years old, grew up in the 1950s, when little was known about the disease. In fact, her father wanted to place her in an institution because he thought she was "retarded," but her mother would not allow it. She believed in her daughter and sent Grandin to places and schools that fostered her strengths. Temple's mother was the driving force behind her success. In spite of unique kinds of thought processes, Grandin would not change a thing about being autistic because that is who she is—she embraces it. HBO produced a memoir about her life, and actress Claire Danes spent time with Grandin while playing her. In 2010, Grandin was recognized as one of the one hundred most influential people in Time Magazine for tirelessly devoting her life to inventing humane conditions for the final moments of cows and other livestock. This work of nonfiction is a riveting memoir. It is meant for readers who would like to learn more about autism and contemporary inventors. The author includes illustrations and a resourceful listing of further information on the topic. Reviewer: Sharon Blumberg
School Library Journal
Gr 6–8—Montgomery paints a picture of a woman who overcame enormous odds to be highly successful in her chosen career as an animal scientist, designing humane livestock facilities. Although autism can be a devastating diagnosis, Grandin's own words help readers understand why she says her autism adds a dimension to her life that she would not want to be without. The descriptions of the many people who knew her when she was a child and the ways they either helped or hindered her progress give a clear understanding of some of the obstacles in her path. Montgomery includes a thorough explanation of the disorder, helping readers to comprehend this atypical neuropathy. The lively, well-worded narrative is complemented by ample use of photographs and Grandin's complicated drawings of her inventions. For librarians who struggle to find well-written biographies of women, this is a must-buy.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD
Kirkus Reviews
The biography of an exceptional woman who, remarkably, made use of her condition to discover her calling and changed her own and many animals' lives. From earliest childhood, Dr. Temple Grandin, professor of animal science at Colorado State University, stood out with her "odd" ways. Her own father wanted to institutionalize his "retarded" child. Luckily Temple had friends who appreciated her creative mind and a mother who steadfastly believed in her and sought out schools, teachers and therapists who began to help develop her many talents, including a fierce intellect. A kindly high-school teacher led her to realize that her career lay in science. Today Grandin is a world authority and consultant on the respectful, humane treatment of animals raised for food and has designed groundbreaking facilities and equipment that protect livestock from fear and suffering--because her autism permits her to think the way animals do. (Animal lovers particularly may find some descriptions of ranching and slaughterhouse practices hard to take.)Montgomery makes a compelling argument that though one never outgrows autism, it doesn't condemn those who have it to unproductive lives, and an appendix, "Temple's Advice for Kids on the Spectrum," provides first-hand wisdom. Photos and diagrams depict Grandin's work as well as documenting her early life and career. A well written, admiring and thought-provoking portrait. (foreword by Grandin, index, facts about autism and factory farming) (Nonfiction. 10-13)
