No One Needed to Know
A Children's Novel Kindness, Empathy and Autism Acceptance
A Children's Novel Kindness, Empathy and Autism Acceptance
ISBN: 978-0-69282913-4
For people who enjoyed the bestselling children's novel Wonder by R. J. Palacio or the Newberry Honor Award winning novel Rules by Cynthia Lord, comes a new award-winning children's novel about learning empathy and kindness toward people with autism and special needs. Perfect for readers 8-13 years old.
Heidi's older brother, Donald, is 16 and autistic. She has always loved playing with him, but now she's 11 and her life is changing. She's embarrassed to have her brother around and doesn't want her friends to know about him. High school boys bully him. When the kids at her school find out about him, she gets bullied too.
It's not fair. No one seems to understand what she's going through.
But Heidi also needs to learn some things. She can't change her brother, but she can change how she feels about him. And she can get people to see why her brother is special.
In my most personal novel to date, based loosely on personal childhood experiences, I explore what it's like to emerge from childhood into adolescence and discover that fun brother you've always had a blast playing with actually has developmental disabilities. It's a story about bullying, tolerance, and learning to rise above to be an advocate for doing what's right.
ISBN: 978-0-692-82913-4
Available in print from Amazon.
Barnes and Noble
Indiebound
Books a Million
You can order a signed copy from Parnassus Books in Nashville. If you write in the order notes that you'd like it personalized, they will call me to come in and sign it to you.
Now available as an ebook for only $2.99!
Kindle Nook iBook Kobo and for librarians, it's available at Overdrive
Also available through Ingram for booksellers and librarians.
Heidi's older brother, Donald, is 16 and autistic. She has always loved playing with him, but now she's 11 and her life is changing. She's embarrassed to have her brother around and doesn't want her friends to know about him. High school boys bully him. When the kids at her school find out about him, she gets bullied too.
It's not fair. No one seems to understand what she's going through.
But Heidi also needs to learn some things. She can't change her brother, but she can change how she feels about him. And she can get people to see why her brother is special.
In my most personal novel to date, based loosely on personal childhood experiences, I explore what it's like to emerge from childhood into adolescence and discover that fun brother you've always had a blast playing with actually has developmental disabilities. It's a story about bullying, tolerance, and learning to rise above to be an advocate for doing what's right.
ISBN: 978-0-692-82913-4
Available in print from Amazon.
Barnes and Noble
Indiebound
Books a Million
You can order a signed copy from Parnassus Books in Nashville. If you write in the order notes that you'd like it personalized, they will call me to come in and sign it to you.
Now available as an ebook for only $2.99!
Kindle Nook iBook Kobo and for librarians, it's available at Overdrive
Also available through Ingram for booksellers and librarians.
The audiobook of No One Needed to Know is now available. It's narrated by Allie James, and you will love it! Audible
WINNER!
2017 Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval!
2017 Human Relations Indie Book Awards (Gold Medal for Special Needs Awareness in Children's Books)
2017 Purple Dragonfly Children's Book Award (Honorable Mention, Special Needs Awareness)
2017 Children's Literary Classics Award (Silver Medal for Preteen Fiction)
2017 Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval!
2017 Human Relations Indie Book Awards (Gold Medal for Special Needs Awareness in Children's Books)
2017 Purple Dragonfly Children's Book Award (Honorable Mention, Special Needs Awareness)
2017 Children's Literary Classics Award (Silver Medal for Preteen Fiction)
Click image to find book at Amazon.
Now available in print too!
Put both books together for a great Christmas gift!
REVIEWS
"This is the best story about dealing with bullies and with a child with Autism I have ever read. I found myself crying from the sheer heartwarming moments in this story about a sister who looked out for her older brother. He was challenged in his life of sixteen years with so many things. Yet, he remained happy and virtually unaffected by all the nonsense from mean children in his neighborhood. He could give a lesson of humanity to many about how to bounce back from negativity. His sister tried so hard to help him but also had to deal with kids that were terribly mean to her as well. The lesson she taught them with the help of some teachers was priceless and defined the true friends from the fake ones.
This was a wonderful story and I recommend everyone read it. One should never be ashamed of themselves or others for a disability or anything else. It is who we are inside and the spirit we hold that dictates how we tackle friendships all our lives. We can also change with understanding through life lessons. This book was a truly beautiful reading experience. Bravo! FIVE BIG STARS!"
By Quill, Ink and Parchment
"Beautifully tells a story about how one girl learns to balance a complex situation at home with a complex situation at school... Adults who remember reading books by Katherine Patterson and Paula Danziger will recognize the honesty with which it is written."
Kid's Book Weekly
"This is definitely a book that I recommend for kids with a sibling on the Autism Spectrum, or with any other disability, or who just want to broaden their horizons and learn a bit more about some of the many diverse personalities out there that make up our kaleidoscope world.
A great read especially in April for Autism Awareness Month!"
So Few Books
"This middle grade novel tells the story of a brother and sister relationship; it’s quirky, loving, there is tension, and it’s complicated too... This book is heart-wrenching. D.G. Driver pulls you in immediately. You see Heidi try to process what is happening. We use the complication of protecting her brother. She works hard not to embarrass him. Heidi loses friends because they misjudge Donald. I admired how much Heidi sees the loss she is experiencing, she sees the unnecessary bullying she is enduring, but she does not back down from defending her brother. I love a strong sibling relationship and No One Needed To Know has done such a good job.
The story takes a turn I didn’t see (I hate spoilers, so I won’t share), but I will say: I cried. As soon as the book ended, I immediately wrote D.G. Driver and thanked her for her book. It’s beautifully done. While this is a middle grade book, I think parents should read this book. It’s a great way to discuss being kind to friends and their family members. Autism, as well as other special needs should not be seen as “problems” (a teacher in No One Needs To Know addresses this), but as people who can grow our hearts with compassion, empathy and FRIENDSHIP."
Book Review Mama
"Heidi is such a strong tween with more influence than she realizes. She stands true to her values and friendships. Although she struggles with what her friends might think or do if they meet her brother, she begins to understand the kind of life Donald will have ahead of him... This takes me back to 6th grade elementary school when everyone started to change and life began to get more complicated, confusing, restless. Emotions and feelings started to overpower our actions. We were growing, more curious than ever, a little rebellious, awkward. I truly believe that when you read this book it will grab you and transcend you into that time and place in your life when you first learned about the specially challenged." Lisa Rogers, Special Education, 1st Amazon customer review
"I am a sucker for a strong female character, especially in middle grade and young adult novels, and Heidi is one of the more convincing 11 year old characters that I have read in recent times. She is smart, passionate, caring, athletic, and yet still has the flaws that make her a convincing, well-rounded character. Throughout the story, Heidi has many struggles that readers can relate to as she is grappling to understand life, especially her brother, who isn’t quite like every other 16 year old... Consequently, as you read through the scenes of this book, you can feel the love, confusion, and cringe-worthy moments that come along with self- discovery and a preteen’s introduction to the encroaching awareness of other’s opinions.
"This book also has a graceful way of introducing readers to the variety of developmental delays or disabilities that someone may see when interacting with a population of people with special needs. It is informative as well as entertaining, and could serve as a way to open up conversation about a potentially tough topic. I also appreciate that D.G. Driver also goes a step further to including links to resources that are useful in learning more about Autism in the back of the book. All in all, an enjoyable and authentic read that entertains and informs all in one."
Courtney Morgan, Literacy Coordinator, United Way
"All children need to read this book to learn about situations children in families with disabled children face each and every day. They also need to learn how to relate to these challenged individuals as feeling persons, not to pity them, but to understand, so they are not afraid. The situations in the book are realistic, the feelings genuine, and the outcome extremely reasonable.
It is a short book and would make a great classroom project. I highly recommend it."
C. M. Huddleston, Monday Morning Indie Reviews
I would definitely recommend this book to teachers and students alike (as well as literally everyone else on the face of this planet), since it promotes activism and empathy, two characteristics that Heidi strongly displays in this book. The great thing, though, is that Heidi isn't necessarily this way right from the start - as a reader, I loved seeing her evolve from a rather insecure girl who can't really stick up for herself or her autistic brother, to a strong-willed, caring girl who makes for a perfect role model. And although this story was short, Driver got her point across easily with great writing that made the story flow nicely from start to finish. There was never a dull moment, which I loved. All in all, a fantastic book that I highly recommend to literally everyone, no matter who you are!
Kid Book Reviewer
In this very sensitive novel about autism awareness and bullying, Driver develops characters that are realistic and evoke sympathy. In keeping with the theme that people are afraid of that which they do not understand, once word gets out that Heidi's brother is developmentally disabled, a secret Heidi kept to herself for years, she becomes ostracized from her friends. Now, not only is her brother the victim of bullies, she too is being ridiculed and tormented by classmates who do not understand Donald or his condition.
This is an important novel that is as much about anti-bullying as it is about autism awareness. I hope schools and educators discover this story and encourage their classes to read it and discuss its relevant themes. It makes a perfect read for National Anti-bullying Day held each October. I am sure many middle grade children would benefit from Heidi's story.
Lavender Inspiration Reviews
specifically about the audiobook
Powerful unfolding of what we all need to know
I listened to the audiobook which I received free at my request and offer this honest review. Allie James authentically voices these characters and presents the appropriate angst for the young hero, her friends (and enemies) and her brother. D.G. Driver presents a powerful message of discovery, Heidi's discovery that impacts her whole circle of friends. Transformation ensues. Amazing that it's couched in this 2hr 40min tale.
Amazon reviewer
I do school presentations about bullying and special needs awareness for upper elementary and middle schools.
Learn more at www.dgdriver.com/about-me.html or email me.
Learn more at www.dgdriver.com/about-me.html or email me.
An excerpt from No One Needed to Know:
This is from a scene about half-way through the book. Heidi has been skipping school because the kids there have been bullying her about her brother. She hasn't told anyone about it, hoping it will all blow over.
This is from a scene about half-way through the book. Heidi has been skipping school because the kids there have been bullying her about her brother. She hasn't told anyone about it, hoping it will all blow over.
Donald was walking his bike down the street toward the house. He wasn’t making any loud noises. What was up?
I got out of bed and threw on some sweatpants to go with the sweatshirt I’d been wearing in bed. By the time I was dressed, Donald had come in the garage door.
“Oh, my . . . Donald! What happened?” I heard my mom cry in alarm.
“I think I rode my bike in front of someone’s car,” he stammered.
“You think?” our mom questioned. “Did you or didn’t you?”
By this time I’d run down the stairs to see for myself. Donald was bruised up, with cuts all over his arms. His khaki slacks and cotton shirt had grease stains and large rips. I gasped at the sight.
“Well . . .” Donald seemed uncertain about how to answer Mom’s question. “I know that they got out of the car and said I rode in front of them.”
“It was Matt and Daryl, huh Donald?” I clarified.
“Uh, yeah. Them and some others.”
“Mom, those are the guys who were following me around on Saturday.” She nodded her understanding. I faced my brother. “Did they beat you up?”
“They, uh, they said I was in their way.”
“Were you?” I pushed.
“I guess so. That’s what they said.”
“Come on, Donald,” I said, getting angry. “Don’t be a wimp. Either you were in their way or not. Did they have any reason to beat you up?”
“Heidi,” my mom warned, knowing I was pushing him too hard.
“I . . . I . . .” Donald began to break down. Forehead creased, strained smile. I knew the expression well.
“You’re so pathetic!”
I stormed back upstairs and slammed the door.
My mom hollered after me. “Heidi, get back here!” I didn’t respond. I didn’t care what my mom thought of me right then. If Donald was going to let bullies beat him to death, let him. I wasn’t going to protect him anymore since no one bothered to protect me.
Fifteen minutes later (I guess it took that long because my mom had to help Donald clean up all his scratches), my mom walked into my room and closed the door behind her.
“What has gotten into you? What you said to Donald was completely unfair.”
“So?”
“How would you feel if you were the one who was beaten up today?”
“And what makes you think I wasn’t?”
“What do you mean?”
I turned over and buried my face in my pillow. “Nothing,” I said, but it was muffled by the cotton fluff.
“Are you having trouble with your friends at school?”
I shrugged and sat up, punching the pillow as I spoke. “Friends? I don’t have any friends thanks to the freak of a brother I have. No. I have a bunch of kids at school who are planning to play some kind of trick on me tomorrow night because they think I’m a retard like Donald.”
“Heidi,” my mom warned, “we don’t use that word.”
“Oh, yeah,” I said nastily. “I forgot. I just hear it said to Donald and me so often that I forget it’s not a compliment.”
My mom sighed. “I know it’s hard growing up with a brother like Donald, but you can’t take your anger out on him. He can’t help it.”
“I know,” I said. “I just wish that for once he would fight back. Daryl and Matt shouldn’t be allowed to pick on him like that and get away with it. Why can’t he toughen up?”
“You think it would be better if Donald fought those boys?” Mom asked.
“I guess. I don’t know.”
“If he tried, we would be at the hospital with him now. Is that what you want?”
“No.” I pulled my hair over my eyes. “I just want things to be normal.”
Mom smiled softly and snuggled me under her arm. “We just have to redefine normal in this house.”
For another excerpt, read my blog post: A Book Excerpt for Down Syndrome Awareness Day
I got out of bed and threw on some sweatpants to go with the sweatshirt I’d been wearing in bed. By the time I was dressed, Donald had come in the garage door.
“Oh, my . . . Donald! What happened?” I heard my mom cry in alarm.
“I think I rode my bike in front of someone’s car,” he stammered.
“You think?” our mom questioned. “Did you or didn’t you?”
By this time I’d run down the stairs to see for myself. Donald was bruised up, with cuts all over his arms. His khaki slacks and cotton shirt had grease stains and large rips. I gasped at the sight.
“Well . . .” Donald seemed uncertain about how to answer Mom’s question. “I know that they got out of the car and said I rode in front of them.”
“It was Matt and Daryl, huh Donald?” I clarified.
“Uh, yeah. Them and some others.”
“Mom, those are the guys who were following me around on Saturday.” She nodded her understanding. I faced my brother. “Did they beat you up?”
“They, uh, they said I was in their way.”
“Were you?” I pushed.
“I guess so. That’s what they said.”
“Come on, Donald,” I said, getting angry. “Don’t be a wimp. Either you were in their way or not. Did they have any reason to beat you up?”
“Heidi,” my mom warned, knowing I was pushing him too hard.
“I . . . I . . .” Donald began to break down. Forehead creased, strained smile. I knew the expression well.
“You’re so pathetic!”
I stormed back upstairs and slammed the door.
My mom hollered after me. “Heidi, get back here!” I didn’t respond. I didn’t care what my mom thought of me right then. If Donald was going to let bullies beat him to death, let him. I wasn’t going to protect him anymore since no one bothered to protect me.
Fifteen minutes later (I guess it took that long because my mom had to help Donald clean up all his scratches), my mom walked into my room and closed the door behind her.
“What has gotten into you? What you said to Donald was completely unfair.”
“So?”
“How would you feel if you were the one who was beaten up today?”
“And what makes you think I wasn’t?”
“What do you mean?”
I turned over and buried my face in my pillow. “Nothing,” I said, but it was muffled by the cotton fluff.
“Are you having trouble with your friends at school?”
I shrugged and sat up, punching the pillow as I spoke. “Friends? I don’t have any friends thanks to the freak of a brother I have. No. I have a bunch of kids at school who are planning to play some kind of trick on me tomorrow night because they think I’m a retard like Donald.”
“Heidi,” my mom warned, “we don’t use that word.”
“Oh, yeah,” I said nastily. “I forgot. I just hear it said to Donald and me so often that I forget it’s not a compliment.”
My mom sighed. “I know it’s hard growing up with a brother like Donald, but you can’t take your anger out on him. He can’t help it.”
“I know,” I said. “I just wish that for once he would fight back. Daryl and Matt shouldn’t be allowed to pick on him like that and get away with it. Why can’t he toughen up?”
“You think it would be better if Donald fought those boys?” Mom asked.
“I guess. I don’t know.”
“If he tried, we would be at the hospital with him now. Is that what you want?”
“No.” I pulled my hair over my eyes. “I just want things to be normal.”
Mom smiled softly and snuggled me under her arm. “We just have to redefine normal in this house.”
For another excerpt, read my blog post: A Book Excerpt for Down Syndrome Awareness Day
A little bit about my new middle grade book:
No One Needed to Know is fiction, but it is loosely based on my experiences growing up with an older brother with Learning Disabilities. In real life, I did suffer from bullying in elementary school, however most of it was not about my brother. I did watch him get picked on and made fun of a lot. My mother taught in PreSchool Special Education when I was growing up, and one of my earliest jobs post college was substituting in the classrooms at her school. I eventually made a career out of teaching in various schools for special needs. I currently work as the lead teacher in an infant classroom at a child development center with the mission of teaching special needs students alongside their typically developing peers.
No One Needed to Know is fiction, but it is loosely based on my experiences growing up with an older brother with Learning Disabilities. In real life, I did suffer from bullying in elementary school, however most of it was not about my brother. I did watch him get picked on and made fun of a lot. My mother taught in PreSchool Special Education when I was growing up, and one of my earliest jobs post college was substituting in the classrooms at her school. I eventually made a career out of teaching in various schools for special needs. I currently work as the lead teacher in an infant classroom at a child development center with the mission of teaching special needs students alongside their typically developing peers.
Learn more about my life with a special needs brother and the story behind No One Needed to Know at these blog posts:
Listen to a 30 minute podcast of me discussing Autism, Bullying, and No One Needed to Know for the Tennessee Library for Accessible Books and Media. It's a shortened version of my school presentations. https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/tn-library-for-accessible-books-and-media/a-universe-of-stories-young-adult-series/e/61709914
I'm doing a series of blog posts for the Autism Society of East Tennessee, and the first one: "Growing Up the Sibling of Autism (Before We Knew it was Autism) is posted. Take a look at our lives in the early 1970s. http://www.asaetc.org/awareness/growing-up-as-a-sibling-of-autism-before-we-knew-it-was-autism-by-d-g-driver
The second of my posts for the Autism Society of East Tennessee. I interviewed 3 siblings (who are much younger than me) about their experiences growing up with autistic siblings. http://www.asaetc.org/awareness/siblings-of-autism-different-points-of-view-a-guest-post-by-d-g-driver
A recent post on my own Write and Rewrite Blog about the process of updating my story from 1981 to present day and comparing the lives of "Sixth Grade Then and Sixth Grade Now". Another fun nostalgic look back. http://www.dgdriver.com/write-and-rewrite-blog/6th-grade-then-and-6th-grade-now
An interview about my book with Geek Club Books https://tinyurl.com/y7eez275
An interview about the book with author Chess Desalls https://chessdesalls.wordpress.com/2017/08/12/interview-literary-classics-award-winner-d-g-driver/