In 'The Reason I Jump,' Naoki Higashida, a thirteen-year-old boy with autism, provides a rare and profound insight into his world. Through a series of poignant reflections and vivid questions, he conveys the challenges and joys of living with autism. Readers are invited to experience his unique perspective, revealing the thoughts that often remain unspoken by individuals with the condition. Higashida's poetic prose transcends the barriers of communication, allowing us to understand and empathize with his reality. This illuminating narrative not only fosters awareness but also celebrates the richness of human experience, leaving readers reflective and inspired.
By Naoki Higashida
Published: 2016
""People with autism don’t need pity, they need understanding and acceptance, for our silence often speaks volumes of our inner world.""
“One of the most remarkable books I’ve ever read. It’s truly moving, eye-opening, incredibly vivid.”—Jon Stewart, The Daily Show NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR • The Wall Street Journal • Bloomberg Business • Bookish FINALIST FOR THE BOOKS FOR A BETTER LIFE FIRST BOOK AWARD • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER You’ve never read a book like The Reason I Jump. Written by Naoki Higashida, a very smart, very self-aware, and very charming thirteen-year-old boy with autism, it is a one-of-a-kind memoir that demonstrates how an autistic mind thinks, feels, perceives, and responds in ways few of us can imagine. Parents and family members who never thought they could get inside the head of their autistic loved one at last have a way to break through to the curious, subtle, and complex life within. Using an alphabet grid to painstakingly construct words, sentences, and thoughts that he is unable to speak out loud, Naoki answers even the most delicate questions that people want to know. Questions such as: “Why do people with autism talk so loudly and weirdly?” “Why do you line up your toy cars and blocks?” “Why don’t you make eye contact when you’re talking?” and “What’s the reason you jump?” (Naoki’s answer: “When I’m jumping, it’s as if my feelings are going upward to the sky.”) With disarming honesty and a generous heart, Naoki shares his unique point of view on not only autism but life itself. His insights—into the mystery of words, the wonders of laughter, and the elusiveness of memory—are so startling, so strange, and so powerful that you will never look at the world the same way again. In his introduction, bestselling novelist David Mitchell writes that Naoki’s words allowed him to feel, for the first time, as if his own autistic child was explaining what was happening in his mind. “It is no exaggeration to say that The Reason I Jump allowed me to round a corner in our relationship.” This translation was a labor of love by David and his wife, KA Yoshida, so they’d be able to share that feeling with friends, the wider autism community, and beyond. Naoki’s book, in its beauty, truthfulness, and simplicity, is a gift to be shared. Praise for The Reason I Jump “This is an intimate book, one that brings readers right into an autistic mind.”—Chicago Tribune (Editor’s Choice) “Amazing times a million.”—Whoopi Goldberg, People “The Reason I Jump is a Rosetta stone. . . . This book takes about ninety minutes to read, and it will stretch your vision of what it is to be human.”—Andrew Solomon, The Times (U.K.) “Extraordinary, moving, and jeweled with epiphanies.”—The Boston Globe “Small but profound . . . [Higashida’s] startling, moving insights offer a rare look inside the autistic mind.”—Parade
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“"People with autism don’t need pity, they need understanding and acceptance, for our silence often speaks volumes of our inner world."”
The Reason I Jump
By Naoki Higashida
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Naoki Higashida is a Japanese author and advocate, best known for his remarkable memoir, "The Reason I Jump," which provides profound insights into the mind of a non-verbal person with autism. Written when he was just 13 years old, this groundbreaking work allows readers to understand the often-misunderstood experiences of individuals on the autism spectrum. Higashida's writing style is characterized by its lyrical simplicity and emotional depth, making complex feelings accessible to a broad audience. In addition to his memoir, he has written several other notable works, including "Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8" and "The Little House," further exploring themes of perception, communication, and the human experience. Through his writing, Naoki Higashida challenges stereotypes about autism and fosters empathy and connection.
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