An Unusual Boy was such a moving story I couldn't put it down, I highly recommend this book. I absolutely loved it

Such a powerful book. My heart was breaking for this family, for Jackson. So much ignorance and misunderstanding in the world, trying to fit people in one set line, box. But what if we don't fit. I trully fet for his mum, but she fought his corner well, so incredibly strong. Amazing characters, great story and definitely something for everyone to learn from this book

A very well written and moving story about a boy who is ‘different’. Told from the perspectives of the boy and his mother, I liked getting an insight into the two viewpoints.

A moving and beautifully written story of a 'different' boy. Thoroughly enjoyed this and loved the characters and the meaningful insights it gave. It will definitely stay with me for a while. Highly recommended and well deserves the 5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley.

There is 2 people telling the story in this book. You really connect to the characters. There was turns I didnt see coming, love it when that happens. Felt so many emotions with this book. I love the fact she is an Australian writer. I cant say enough about this book. Highly recommend.

Ah Jackson, my heart hurt for him, his mother was amazing but I did also want to scream at her many times, the useless father urgh says it all...

What a riveting and truly beautifully written piece of literature we have here, you could talk about it all day long back and forth, it’s amazing.

Deals with lots of difficult subjects and sometimes it was hard to read, in all it’s honestly one of the best books I’ve ever read, and usually I’d not read this kind of genre but I have been blown away with this one, I loved it, I loved Jackson’s and his little world and the way he thought about things and just, well I bloody loved him, I didn’t want to leave him when the book was over and found myself thinking about this book days and weeks later.

An absolute masterpiece right here. Must read for 2021.

Suck a good book both from the perspective of the boy and the mother. Being a special needs parent you truly have to become your child advocate. Very well written couldn’t put it down once I started

What a beautiful, well written and emotional book. I fell in love with Jackson and his unusual ways as he tries to live in a world where no one quite understands him. It tells the story of a mother struggling to cope while a husband is working and Jackson who is neurodivergent faces his own daily struggles

Told in the perspectives of Julia, his Mum and Jackson himself, it highlights how people can interpret a situation differently from the truth based on their own experiences and perspective. It was heart breaking at times and I longed to jump into the story, grab and hold Jackson tight to take him away from situations especially when it veered in a direction I was not expecting. In contrast, there were moments of fun and uplifting emotions. The topics covered were dealt with sensitively and well researched.

I didn’t want to leave Jackson behind because I felt I knew the family as a friend and wanted to keep in touch.

Fiona Higgins An Unusual Boy is an impressive and thought provoking read.

The writing is absolutely fabulous. With the story told from two povs, Jackson and his mother Julia, both characters and their family life are wonderfully developed. And the storyline is one hell of a difficult subject.

Jackson is a young boy with special needs. He lives in his own very literal world. His story, and the way he views and interacts with the world, was a very difficult read for me. I was worried throughout and my heart hurt so badly for Jackson. As a boy often stuck in his own head, unable to communicate fully with the world as a whole, I dreaded where this story was going.

Julia's pov, fully illustrating how all consuming and difficult it can be to raise such a child, is amazingly well done. I appreciate the small moments when she can break through to what he's thinking and appreciate this special child. And damn, one can easily relate to some of her thoughts that if only the other people knew how tough every damn day is for her. And that, damn, it can always be worse.

I don't want to give away the twists and turns. This story definitely gets serious and hits on some harrowing subjects. Go into this story with an open mind, knowing you will be unable to put down this riveting tale. That said, I did want to put it down. I wanted to stop reading because I couldn't take the pain anymore. But I couldn't actually put it down. And I am glad.

I can't recommend An Unusual Boy enough. Every single moment of this Fiona Higgins story is making an important point. Every single moments is telling a tale of extremely important issues, and some of the problems in our society with dealing with children such as Jackson.

I read this book very quickly thanks to such an engaging talented author! Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Great characters, setting and storyline. Would highly recommend.

I wanted to carry on reading this book but things got in the way last September with over commitments so I picked this book book a couple of days ago and finished it in a flash. Such a well written book with a subject matter that really keeps your attention, not only that, you’re emotions are going to be wrecked. I kid you not when I say how all over the place I was with my feelings.

I’m with the majority, it’s a book you shouldn’t miss.

Some books had to be read to really understand the beauty of it. This one by author Fiona Higgins blew me away with the concept where a boy on the spectrum was accused of an unmentionable incident.

My first foray into the author’s writing, I got a vivid picture of how life was for a mother with 3 kids, with an absentee father, and who was working too. Life was a matter of dealing with the individual mini-crisises of the day and keeping them safe.

Jackson, the middle child, was different from birth. He did headstands; he remembered some things suddenly; he phoned his dead granny. He was pure innocence as his brain was wired that way with inane curiosity at times.

The author slowly built up their lives with alternate chapters from Mother Julia and Jackson’s POV, until the day when Jackson diverted from his path.

With the cops involved, the story turned. I was ready to throw my fists at the mother for not understanding how to get the truth from the son, the cops at their slip-shoddy methods, and the absentee father who suddenly appeared to lord over them.

The writing brought out the hidden nuances. It was enlightening to see how the mind of a child so different from others worked. But there was a niggle or two. The chapters didn’t have a heading, I didn’t know whose POV I was reading. I found that distracting to switch over. I wanted more of my emotions to be evoked.

The story transformed beautifully when the family finally settled and the truth was laid bare. Jackson truly was an unusual boy, an angel from heavens, with the blessing of his granny.

A sweet read. Go on… Try it.

I saw a review of this book on social media and it sounded like something I really needed to read.
I wanted to read this as the subject was something close to my heart, I have family members with Autism, ADHA, Aspergers along with friends whose children also have issues.
This book was brilliantly written, and could be an eye opener for a lot of people who don't understand. This book is warm but heartbreaking. this book shows just what a family can go through. Spending years trying to find reasons, diagnosis or even any for of help. You would jump through hoops for your children, but how much do you have to Jump to get the correct help and care.
This book was real, this book come alive, this book could be about any one of our familes.

A fantastic read.

This is one of those books that could cause debates, one that you could talk about a long time after reading it. There maybe things you don't agree with, there maybe moments that 'you could have written those words' don't hold it in, talk.

Jackson is an unusual boy & his behavior is misunderstood. After a significant incident at school causes him to be in the middle of a legal case, his mom and family have to go to bat for him- in order for others to finally understand how his brain works.

What a wonderful story highlighting the struggles a Neurodiverse person faces. I loved how the narrative switched between Jackson and his mum.

This a wonderful story, heart warming and often humorous with a range of well depicted characters which made me smile and made me cry. Highly recommend as a winter snuggle into book.

As Nana Pam says to Jackson's sister "Normal doesn't exist, darling" "It's just a cycle on the washing machine." 4.5★

I picked this book as stories with neurotypical characters interest me, especially as I have 2 children with autism. But I don’t think I was ready for how dark this story got. Jackson has an undiagnosed condition, he is different to other kids his age, he gets unsettled easily, and remembers everything from his life - he calls himself a memory magnet.

This story shows just how easily manipulated children be, especially if they are easily impressionable like children with special needs. The story delves into the life of Jackson, his mum Julia, dad Andy, and 2 sisters 9 year old Ruby and 14 year old Milla. Jackson befriends a boy from soccer who is also in his class at school, but things aren’t as they seem and it gets a bit scary. Especially when the ‘toilet incident’ happens and the police come calling.

My heart broke for the family and poor Jackson going through this awful ordeal. And Julia, I can’t even imagine, going through something like this as a mother must be horrendous, especially when your child doesn’t understand fully what’s even happening. The shoe phone was a lovely touch and made me feel like Jackson had somewhere he could escape and talk about things. There were a few times I gasped, and other times I sat with my hand across my mouth as I read.

I rated this book 5 stars as I just could not put it down, but be warned there are trigger warnings in this story before you read.

Thanks again to Boldwood Books, Netgalley and as always, the author Fiona Higgins.

Jackson is the middle child, he has an elder sister & a younger one. However he is very different from them He has a great memory, likes things to be black & white & often gets overwhelmed by all the thoughts in his head ( he finds headstands help- no matter where he is!) Having recently moved to a new area & new school he struggles to make friends. His dad works away a lot & he misses him. When he gets invited back to Digby's house after a soccer game he & his mum are delighted! However something upsets him there. An incident in the school toilets results in unimaginable consequences.

The story is told alternately from Julia & Jackson's perspective which gives the reader an insight the narrators don't have. I really liked the family. I loved Jackson & his trains of thought. The sisters were great- it must be hard living with someone who is different. I really wanted to shake some sense into the father! This gave an insight into how life might be for families who struggle on trying to find answers.

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this unusual book.

5☆ A Thought Provoking, Poignant and Unforgettable Read!

An Unusual Boy is a story that not only got under my skin, it was poignant, thought provoking, a roller coaster of emotion and quiet frankly an unforgettable read!

This is the first time when writing a review I'm stumped at what to write....and believe me it's nothing to do with anything wrong it's because this book was so brilliant I don't know where to start. But what I do know is that you need to read this book for yourself!!

I adore reading books where disabilities are featured, and I've watched many a crime tv show and some not dissimilar to this story.
But what I will say is this book is in no way predictable, Higgins made this book come to life.
I could feel Jackson's Mum (Julia) anguish and heartbreak trying to find the truth whilst fighting.
At times Jackson's quirks and innocence made me want to hug him.
As I said before this book is a roller coaster of emotion and every bit deserving of 5☆ I would give 10☆ if I could! An Unusual Boy is a book that will stay with me for a very long time!

Just one last thing, the book cover is absolutely stunning, in some ways haunting, and draws you in. I loved it!

I don't think I have anything left to say except You Need To Read This Unputdownable Book ASAP!!!

Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A beautiful and heartbreaking book. Jackson is an unusual and unique boy who struggles to fit into a society that doesn't have the time to deal with anyone who doesn't conform. Julia is a Mum who would give anything to make her son's life easier and wants the world to understand her son for the beautiful soul he is. An incredibly well written book that will keep you gripped throughout.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books of the arc of An Unusual Boy by Fiona Higgins.

4 star read for me, this was a very heartwarming emotional and sensational read for me, this was an amazing book and this is a heart stoppable read in which i really enjoyed this book so much and I recommend for all.
⭐⭐⭐⭐