The London Eye Mystery, by Siobhan Dowd

Bibliographic Information:
Dowd, S. (2007). The London Eye Mystery. Random House. ISBN-10: 0375849769

Book Awards:
2008 - Book Sense Children's Pick List
2008 - School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
2008 - Booklist Children's Editors' Choice
2008 - Horn Book Fanfare
2008 - Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Books
2008 - Book Links Lasting Connection

Plot Summary:
Ted is a 13 year old high functioning autistic boy. When his cousin, Salim, comes to visit, Ted and his sister take him to ride on the London Eye. Sometime during the 30 minute ride in a sealed capsule, Salim disappears! The police don't seem to have a clue. Now Ted must join forces with a big sister who is not always kind to him to solve the mystery and find Salim. Ted uses his different worldview and "big brain" to look at the pieces of the puzzle.

Critical Evaluation:
This book is told in the first person from the point of view of an autistic boy. It provides a fascinating and amazing insight into the world view of autism. Ted has to deal with his hand that "flaps itself out", his complete inability to read body language, the way his mind returns convulsively to his obsession with the weather, and the way his parents don't think he will say anything important. Horowitz develops the relationship between Ted and his sister, with each person trying to overcome their own shortcomings in order to relate to each other.

Reader's Annotation:
A 13 year old autistic boy and his older sister try to solve a locked-room style mystery that baffles even the police.

About the Author:
Siobhan Dowd was born in 1960 in London. She was a world-wide activist for issues relating to human rights, writers, children, and censorship. She died of breast cancer in 2007, and is survived by her husband of 6 years, Geoff Morgan. She set up the Siobhan Dowd Trust, whereby all the proceeds from her literary work are used to assist disadvantaged children with their reading skills.

Genre:
Mystery

Curriculum Ties:
Special Ed
Psychology

Booktalking Ideas:
Ted has a five point system for seeing how other people feel.
He knows almost everything about the weather.
He has twitches, and counts everything

Interest Age:
9-14

Challenge Issues:
None

Reason Included:
This book won a lot of awards. Also, due to family issues, I am interested in autism.