Can You See Me?

Tally isn't ashamed of being autistic - even if it complicates life sometimes, it's part of who she is. But this is her first year at Kingswood Academy, and her best friend, Layla, is the only one who knows. And while a lot of other people are uncomfortable around Tally, Layla has never been one of them...until now. Something is different about sixth grade, and Tally now feels like she has to act "normal". But as Tally hides her true self, she starts to wonder what "normal" means after all and whether fitting in is really what matters most.

With diary entries written by 11-year-old Libby Scott, based on her own experiences of autism, this pioneering book, written in collaboration with esteemed author Rebecca Westcott, has been widely praised for its realistic portrayal of autism. Tally is 11 years old, and she's just like her friends. Well, sometimes she is. If she tries really hard to be. Because there's something that makes Tally not the same as her friends. Something she can't cover up, no matter how hard she tries: Tally is autistic.

Tally is autistic and proud. She used to feel like she had to hide her autism, but now Tally is determined to make sure people see who she really is. But now Tally has a new worry - her school trip. And that means new places, new people and new challenges. She quickly falls in with the popular girls and is grateful that they don't make a big deal about her autism, but it's not long before Tally realises that, while the girls are popular, they aren't very kind.

Everyone else in Tally's grade seems excited for their class trip. And she knows she is supposed to be, too. Ever since her classmates found out she is autistic, Tally has felt more comfortable being herself. But the end-of-year trip will be an entire week - her longest overnight trip ever. How will she sleep? What about all the bugs? What will her dog, Rupert, do without her at home? Though she decides she doesn't want to miss out, bad news strikes as soon as she arrives: She isn't bunking with her friend, Aleksandra.