Juniper, 21st centur Scotland, is where we find Addie, and her older sisters Keedie and Nina. Keedie and Nina are twins, but Keedie has more in common with Addie; they’re both Autistic. Addie moves into Mrs Murphy’s class, a teacher Keedie has previously struggled with, and she introduces the subject of witch trials in 15th century Juniper – and Addie is filled with hyperempathy for these long ago women.
This book is a fantastic piece of Autistic representation I really wish had existed when I was 9 years old. It covers current issues facing the Autistic community today, such as long term hospitalisation, masking, stigma, and burnout. There are small infodumps on what these (and other aspects of the Autistic experience) are, which to me as an Autistic reader leant a real authenticity to the writing style – and yet, they’re never too long as to detract from the plot. The plot is relatively simple, as befits a YA novel, and that makes for a quick, joyful read. Even more so, the characters are enjoyable to spend an afternoon (as an adult reader) with.
The characters feel real, and have a real sense of depth to them. The mix of tension and affection between the sisters felt very true to teenage life, especially when siblings are neurodiverse. As much as Addie is a great character, I think Keedie is my favourite character, and I am intrigued to learn more about her in the upcoming prequel. Keedie faces her own challenges at the time of the story, but there’s clearly been an awful lot of challenges on the way to that point for her. She makes a fantastic older sister to Addie despite this.
The main theme of the book is that people shouldn’t have to face the challenges we do face (particularly women) for being different. Addie resonates with the women of the witch trials, realising that the way they are treated now for being Autistic is similar to the persecution experienced in the past, and that herself and her sister would have been victims to. It shows that we should acknowledge our wrong-doings and make whatever amends we can, when we have discriminated against those who we don’t understand.
I came to this book quite late, after it had already been adapted to TV for the BBC. I can definitely understand how it gained enough popularity with it’s target audience for that to happen. I’d recommend this book to any reader who wants a good comfort read for their inner Autistic child, or for anyone with an Autistic child who needs to see themselves in their stories.
PDA fae 