Josh is in Year 5. On Fridays, his teacher looks at World Affairs. The video is followed with an in-depth discussion on the subject with class participation.
Josh is moved by what he sees, and the main theme of kindness, makes a strong impression on him.
How can he help people who need help?
Due to his autism, Josh is a loner. He depends on his lists, which are methodically documented in his black notebook.
His classmates don’t understand him and he is ridiculed by them. The one friend he had, has withdrawn from him.
Ollie, Josh’s classmate, is also on the spectrum.
She is committed to her art, the only thing that makes sense to her.
She also wants to help people but has learnt to keep to herself.
She is an observer though with an analytical mind, who notices small details about others. She realizes that she can recognize people’s needs by watching them.
Josh attempts to exercise small acts of kindness
but doesn’t immediately succeed. Then he loses his notebook. He is distraught.
Things don’t go well.
When Ollie finds it and reads the entries, she learns a lot about Josh and when, in an act of kindness she returns the notebook, at last, Josh understands what kindness means.
They move toward each other after that simple act. Could
they become instruments of change in someone’s life. Even real friends?
They get together to brainstorm how they can offer
kindness to others. An idea to create a Kindness Club changes both Ollie and
Josh. Friendships come full circle.
The two Kates have collaborated to create an inspiring and optimistic, yet simple story, explaining how to learn what acts of kindness are; their value to those who receive, and equally, if not more, to those who offer them.
Readers also learn about the thoughts, feelings and emotions of autistic children, which is one of the Kates' frequent references in their writings.
Sprinkled throughout with thought-provoking pieces of poetry, it is set in stages of Term time, which is juxtaposed against the growth and change of the characters.
Title: Small Acts
Author: Kate Gordon & Kate Foster
Publisher: Walker, $ 16.99
Publication Date: 4 September 2024
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760655938
For ages: 8+
Type: Junior Fiction