Florida Frenz
Florida Frenz is the pen name of a girl who kept a journal as a tool to figure out her emotions and how to read those of others. Diagnosed as retarded and autistic when she was two, Florida worked intensively for years with a team of autism and educational specialists. She’s succeeded so well that in her high school, she isn't identified as autistic or special needs and is taking Advanced Placement classes. With powerful words and pictures Florida chronicles her journey figuring out how to read facial expressions, make friends, and juggle the social cues of school. Diagnosed with autism as a two-year-old, Florida is now an articulate 15-year-old whose explorations into how kids make friends, what popularity means, how to handle peer pressure will resonate with any pre-teen. For those wondering what it's like inside an autistic child's head, Florida's book provides amazing insight and understanding. Reading how she learns how to be human makes us all feel a little less alien.
