Car Wash Wish

Fourteen-year-old Hudson knows his brain works differently.

Having Asperger's Syndrome, he sometimes has difficulty understanding people around him. He sees patterns in language and has a particular affinity with words beginning with 'Z'. 

The book sees Hudson getting ready for his grandad's funeral. As he does so, he talks through his observations on life with his not-yet-born sibling-to-be, whom he affectionately calls Zed - for 'zygote'. Hudson shares his feelings about his mum, his stepdad, his real dad (who he finds rather sad and awkward), and his grief over his grandfather who had Alzheimer's, which caused arguments between his parents.  

Unexpectedly, today of all days, it turns out to be grandad who will bring about a special moment between Hudson and his dad, which might just bring them closer together.

This is a 'super readable' book from Barrington Stoke. It's accessible, unassuming and deceptively simple, but with huge substance and depth, which will stay with the reader long after the final page. An entertaining, uplifting but extremely thought-provoking story, revealing that there is more than one way of looking at life and its problems.