A Real Boy and over 900,000 other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more

Have one to sell? Sell yours here

Start reading A Real Boy on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

A Real Boy: How Autism Shattered Our Lives - and Made a Family from the Pieces [Paperback]

Christopher Stevens (Author), Nicola Stevens (Author)

4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.

Formats	Amazon Price		New from	Used from
Kindle Edition	�4.30		--	--
Paperback	--		--	--

Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store for more details.

› See more product promotions

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm
4.8 out of 5 stars (33)

�8.94
A Friend Like Henry by Nuala Gardner
4.7 out of 5 stars (32)

�6.02
Daniel Isn't Talking by Marti Leimbach
4.7 out of 5 stars (30)

�9.89
Joe: The Only Boy in the World by Michael Blastland
4.4 out of 5 stars (5)

�5.39
Ian's Walk: A Story about Autism by Laurie Lears
4.6 out of 5 stars (13)

�3.91
My Brother is Different: A Book for Young Childr... by Louise Gorrod
4.6 out of 5 stars (16)

�3.64

Product details

Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Michael O'Mara Books; 1st Edition edition (28 Feb 2008)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1843172666
ISBN-13: 978-1843172666
Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 2.4 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 150,118 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #90 in Books > Biography > Tragic Life Stories
- #90 in Books > Biography > Social & Health Issues > Living with Disabilities

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

More About the Authors

Discover books, learn about writers, and more.

Christopher Stevens

Chris Stevens

Product Description

Jane Asher, President of the National Autistic Society

"This wonderfully honest book tells us a great deal, not only about autism, but also about the extraordinary tolerance and unselfishness that is borne out of unequivocal love. At the same time, it reveals some uncomfortable truths about the struggle it takes to access the rights of those with disabilities in our so-called civilized society."

The Sun, 15 Feb 08

"incredibly moving"

See all Product Description

Inside This Book (Learn More)

Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

(What's this?)

Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.

autism(4)

family(1)

living with disabilities(1)

Agree with these tags?

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?

Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm Paperback
4.8 out of 5 stars (33)

�8.94

A Friend Like Henry by Nuala Gardner Paperback
4.7 out of 5 stars (32)

�6.02

Daniel Isn't Talking by Marti Leimbach Paperback
4.7 out of 5 stars (30)

�9.89

Joe: The Only Boy in the World by Michael Blastland Paperback
4.4 out of 5 stars (5)

�5.39

› Explore similar items

Customer Reviews

17 Reviews

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.9 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book!, 10 Feb 2009

Dr. Rory J. G. Kidd (lancashire) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Real Boy: How Autism Shattered Our Lives - and Made a Family from the Pieces (Paperback)

The extended title of this book suggests a depressing tale - not so! Certainly the reality of living with an autist is described but in the most upbeat way.

I absolutely loved this account. Since the diagnosis of our son in September, I have kept notes of his progress and it was absolutely fascinating to see how much of our experience mirrors this Chris and Nicky's.

My catch phrase is that autism is not an intuitive condition, so to read such vivid accounts of off the wall situations which we have lived through too was really uplifting.

I loved the style of this writing; I laughed out loud at the experience with the woman's skirt and slapping the bald man's head; incredibly we've experienced very similar. As parents of autists, we need to be able to laugh and get back into the (figurative) driving seat; this book helped me gain some perspective and put me back in control ... who wants to feel a victim?

I loved how A Real Boy brought to the fore thoughts I hadn't even realised; how I miss not hearing anything about school, how I too, hold my son by the wrist, how very powerful the words from the sibling about the condition are and the importance of participation in the school nativity, to list just a few.

One big difference between our experience with our son and the Steven's experience with David is that of DVDs. To use the Steven's metaphor; DVDs to our son are as heroin to an addict such is his obsession. So, whilst the introduction of DVDs worked well for the Nichols, in our case, I'm sure they have shaved years off my life! I can cope with hours, days ..weeks even ... of fast forwarding and rewinding Rosie and Jim and other favourites on video... but watching �14.99 DVDs shooting in and out of the DVD player for hours on end and then being used to sandpaper our walls or in place of ice skates is a direct route into orbit for me.

I loved being able to compare David's echolalia with my own son's and I appreciated the accompanying explanation - fascinating.

I thought it was extremely clever and very poignant how the parents' dreams for the future were touched upon.

I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in living with autism.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse | Permalink

Comment Comment

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Life Autism, 16 Jun 2008

cyberseraphim (Glasgow, Scotland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Real Boy: How Autism Shattered Our Lives - and Made a Family from the Pieces (Paperback)

A very moving and interesting account of living with autism. I liked the way the vulnerability and the fragility of David's life was shown with such love and poignancy. Often (unintentionally) autistic children are protrayed as frightening destructive creatures because they don't understand the rules of life. This book showed us, as far as is possible, how the world looks from the point of view of the child.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse | Permalink

Comment Comment

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, moving and brilliantly written, 3 May 2010

purplepolly "purplepolly" (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Real Boy: How Autism Shattered Our Lives - and Made a Family from the Pieces (Paperback)

I don't often take the time to write reviews but really wanted to write this as a thank you to the authors, David's parents. I work with families affected by autism and as such have read plenty of 'textbook' accounts. However, these don't capture the harsh realities that face many families. David's parents have taken the time to write about the difficulties they have faced but also about the joy and love they have for their child. This isn't a book with a cure or a happy ending but it still managed to make me smile as well as feel the despair of the David's parents when continuously faced with challenges and barriers. It is an account that will stay with me and I hope help me to work with a greater understanding. Thanks to Christopher and Nicky for sharing your story.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse | Permalink

Comment Comment

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 17 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of many
This book is written with love and humour about a boy with severe autism. Having now read many I think this is my favourite as it is sad and funny and inspiring and gives really... Read more

Published 2 months ago by Tweedie

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
I have just finished reading 'A real boy' and I was so moved by the story! I couldn't put the book down! Its a heart warming read. Read more

Published 5 months ago by helenf

5.0 out of 5 stars A real boy
A fantastic read, my husband and I both enjoyed it, we also bought another copy for our Social worker, this book could have been written by us about our Son Ross who is also... Read more

Published 19 months ago by Christina

5.0 out of 5 stars a real boy
This is a very good insight into autism, its opened my eyes to this condition. This would be an excellent read for anyone with an autistic child. Read more

Published 21 months ago by Mrs. Susan E. Green

5.0 out of 5 stars Compeling reading
Of all the books I have read on this subject the most informative and relatable are those written with first hand experience - By Parents and Carers. Read more

Published 23 months ago by L. Wilson

5.0 out of 5 stars A real gem- suprisingly honest!
I really enjoyed reading this book and the deeper insight into autism it provided. I appreciated the honest account given by the author of the difficulties they experienced... Read more

Published on 17 Jan 2010 by Mrs. E. L. Davis

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Boy
What a fantastic book - I didn't want to put it down. It made me laugh and cry - but mostly cry. The lad in the story is called David and the book is written by his father - it... Read more

Published on 17 July 2009 by Jasmine

5.0 out of 5 stars Real insight
I read this book in virtually a day. It is beautifully written and gives a real insight into autism and how it feels to cope as a family with an autistic child.

Published on 28 Jun 2009 by Mrs. Elizabeth Hayton

5.0 out of 5 stars Super reading
My neighbours have an autistic boy and I just came across this book (translated into the Dutch language) and thought I give it a go. I finished it in two days. Read more

Published on 19 Jun 2009 by F., E., Van Rhijn

5.0 out of 5 stars unexpected gem
this book made me laugh out loud & cry when i least expected to. it certainly opened my eyes & made me think twice about how we as a society can at times be extremely judgemental... Read more

Published on 31 May 2009 by M. Weir

› See all 17 customer reviews...

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jqOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jqOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jqOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; }

Customer Discussions

This product's forum

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Start a new discussion

Topic:

First post:

Receive e-mail when new posts are made

Prompts for sign-in

Guidelines

Active discussions in related forums

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
biography forum want to move away from the celebrity auto/biography- ideas please	280	5 hours ago
biography forum If you like biographies about ordinary people...	111	5 days ago
biography forum Funny working travel books	3	6 days ago
biography forum African writers for nine year old daughter	14	6 days ago
biography forum Are there any people out there writing biographies of obscure people?	63	7 days ago
biography forum holocaust biographies	5	7 days ago
biography forum Auto/Biogs dealing with mental illness or madness in old money	39	8 days ago
biography forum Halifax during the depression	9	19 days ago