Hello–I curate the library at a small K-12 school for kids with autism. It's a challenge because the space is small and the readers vary from well-below grade level to eating books for breakfast. There are also issues with varying levels of maturity and some high sensitivity and anxiety meaning I might not buy some books that I'd put into a neurotypical library, especially at the high school level. I have very little adult fiction in there. (Some autistic kids experience books at a hyperempathetic level, so, for example, if the end of the book reveals that a child has been tricked into destroying the entire universe, that might be really tough.)
Which brings me around to my question. There's a kid in the middle school that's requested Mistborn. I haven't read it, so I looked it up and the content just isn't right. So I want to buy some good thick books for a young reader who wants adult Brandon Sanderson.
In the K-8 library I already have: Rick Riordan, Tristan Strong, Aru Shah, Amari, Bartimeus, Golden Compass, Nevermoor, Wings of Fire, Warriors, Keeper of the Lost Cities and others. In the high school I have Sunbearer Trials, Legendborn, Vespertine, Six of Crows, Children of Blood and Bone, Wee Free Men, and more.
Key: He wants books with no romance. I want to avoid sexual assault in fantasy in general. And he's still 12 and may possibly be below his age in maturity.
I have not read YA Brandon Sanderson. Might they work?
As a regular reader of this sub, I will say:
Not Ender's Game
Thank you everyone!
by mzzannethrope
2 Comments
I haven’t read Sanderson. But from looking at his books, some of these might suit?
*Elatsoe* has an asexual protagonist. Her best friend is dealing with a break-up, but seems okay with it. No romance on-page.
*The Thief*, by Megan Whalen Turner. The later books in the series do have romantic elements.
Not really a YA book, but Lord of the Rings never fails