Lauren, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder (an umbrella term that has
included Asperger Syndrome since 2013), navigates the ups and downs of
school and home life. School friendships have always been a challenge,
but Lauren finds she is exactly the friend a brand new classmate needs
On slug days Lauren feels slow and slimy. She feels like everyone yells
at her, and that she has no friends. Today there is a different bus
driver; Dan and Sachi are sitting in Lauren's seat on the bus; and
Lauren's teacher interrupts her reading time. It is definitely a slug
day. But not every day is like this. On butterfly days Lauren makes her
classmates laugh, or goes to get ice cream, or works on a special
project with Mom.
Lauren has Autism Spectrum Disorder (an umbrella term that has included
Asperger Syndrome since 2013), and she sees the world differently from
many people. Sometimes this can be frustrating and makes Lauren want to
flip her lid, especially at school where she learns differently from her
classmates. But with support and stubbornness and a flair that's all her
own, Lauren masters tricks to stay calm, to understand others' feelings,
and to let her personality shine. She even manages to find common ground
with her sticky, slobbery baby sister. Best of all, it is being
different that gives Lauren insight into the insecurities of the new
student, Irma.
Award-winning author Sara Leach writes Lauren's endearing story with
empathy and humor, and sends her flying off like a butterfly into a new
chapter of life with a new friend.
