THAT BEAUTIFUL MIND

Tami Charles and her son Christopher team up for a reflection on neurodivergence, rooted in Christopher’s own experiences.

“Some days it feels like my mind doesn’t work right,” a young Black boy confides. Parents and older relatives help the child draw out his talents. At home, his imagination runs wild; on the basketball court, he's a force to be reckoned with, and in the kitchen, his culinary skills are unmatched. He’s “curious / and / hilarious / and wondrously free.” But “out there,” in school and in front of others, he is misunderstood and judged for his forgetfulness, his talkativeness, and his tardiness—behaviors that don’t define him. With support from others and through techniques such as deep breathing, he overcomes his challenges and fears about the different way his mind works to let his brilliance show. Smith relies on energetic brushstrokes, sketchy lines, and varied palettes and compositions; his signature style is well suited to the subject matter, conveying the narrator’s feelings as he moves through chaos into comfort and calm. Dynamic layouts and thoughtful text design add a layer of engagement to the reading experience. Making compelling use of figurative language, the authors’ rhythmic, immersive verse evokes a youngster’s exuberance and playfulness. This thoughtful collaboration successfully conveys the struggles and joys of one youngster’s experience with neurodivergence while educating and captivating readers.

A dazzling and unapologetic portrait of a child unafraid to think differently.