-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

Sy Montgomery has succeeded in pulling back the covers from the mystery of autism, as expressed in the life of Temple Grandin. Montgomery's biography takes the reader from Temple's infancy to her current position as professor at Colorado State University. The descriptions of Temple's differences are compassionate and clarify for the listener the mechanics of her behavioral and learning difficulties. The treatment of each parent's reaction to Temple's difficulties is uneven. Her father's conviction that Temple would be better off in an institution was not unreasonable for the times. Her mother's defense of her daughter could be seen as stubborn denial, though her compassion and energy in researching options certainly saved Temple from what would undoubtedly have been a very diminished future. (It is worth noting that, apparently, Temple's father never cut off funds for the many different treatment plans initiated by her mother.) Overcoming discrimination and bullying, Temple ultimately enrolled in a specialized boarding school, graduating and continuing on to college and a doctoral program. Her work with stockyard animals has revolutionized the industry and Temple has achieved the distinction of receiving accolades from both the stockyard industry and animal rights groups. Montgomery's writing style includes both documentary content and biography/narration which results in some repetition. The narrative portions include, appropriately, different voices for the various characters. The mix of narrative and documentary styles, however, is confusing at times. The quality of recording and sound engineering of this audio book, complete on three CDs, is very good. The reader should be cautioned that the descriptions of stockyard and slaughter house conditions can be very disturbing. This is, nevertheless, an important book for advancing the general population's understanding of autism and in providing a comprehensive biography of an unusual and very successful role model for young people with autism. In this audio format, this book is especially accessible for children with reading difficulties and would be a good addition to both middle and high school audio libraries. Reviewer: Hazel Buys

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

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

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)