Irish debut with positive representation ... about finding your place in the world, in an unmistakably Irish setting, this is the book that I would have wanted to read when I was a 12 year old ... Great for fans of Aoife Dooley and Frankie's World
-- Elaina Ryan, CBI on Here & Back Again pod
a school-based exploration of a young teen's diagnosis as an autistic person ... This book does a great job of showing how the language and terminology we use matters deeply, and the enduring power of friendship and acceptance
-- Children's Books Ireland in the Irish Examiner
Neurodiversity is the focus of several new titles this month with a standout being Meabh Collins's debut, Freya Harte Is Not A Puzzle. Collins has a background in both education and children's literature and blends these skills beautifully in an account of being a newly diagnosed autistic teenage girl who very firmly does not want special treatment in school. I don't want to be singled out for being different. If I could just figure out how to be normal, then I wouldn't have to worry about this stuff. Although the protagonist, Freya, has a supportive adult in school, there is also an utter wagon of a teacher who gets cranky when her errors are pointed out and says things like: Sure, half of them are diagnosed with something these days. You'd be hard pressed to keep up. Freya is also conscious that despite the oft-trotted- reminder that everyone is more concerned with themselves than anyone else, the beady eyes of bored schoolgirls are utterly terrifying. The hopeful ending is an earned one with a shrewd eye on the unspoken rules of female friendships
-- Irish Times
Awareness and understanding are at the heart of her book and Meabh's respect for her readers comes over throughout too in a story which is thoughtful and sensitive from beginning to end ... presenting readers with a real character they will like as well as understand, in a book full of drama, development and the kind of laughter that teenage girls specialise in. Everyone should read it'
-- Books for Keeps
I was up late last night finishing this beauty ... Freya is a beautifully drawn character and it's a funny, heart-squeezing, kind and honest book about an autistic young person and her family and friendship dramas ... I hope this book has a wide readership. Yes, it's an exploration of how the world looks and feels to Freya, an autistic teen, but it's also a darn great friendship and family story, with lots of humour and drama. Her Irish college experiences are brilliantly drawn
-- Sarah Webb
for me the real highlight is the way these and some other aspects of the book highlight to us that language and terminology matter ... an honest, heart-warmingly genuine story and it left me with a better understanding of autism and a warm glow
-- Armadillo Magazine
'illuminating and compelling look at the challenges of adolescence ... A heartwarming story about friendships and embracing ourselves as we are
-- Dublin Book Festival
brilliant ... empowering story about friendship and being yourself
-- Virgin TV's Weekend AM
a very good insight as to what it is to be an autistic person - review by Liadan, Gaelscoil Eoghain Ui Thuirisc, Ceatharlach
-- Seomra Ranga
Children's Book of the Week
-- Sunday Times Ireland
a personal favourite of the year so far ... As a debut author, Collins writes an incredibly authentic story, with believable characters and dialogue. We spend a lot of time in Freya's head and become intimately familiar with her thought process and her identity as an autistic person ... This book is a welcome opportunity to see everyday moments through a different lens ... Freya is also surrounded by an incredible support system that adds to the book's overall feel-good tone ... It is assuring to see space being given to small but incredibly important stories like this in Irish publishing. This is a book that should be in every school, suitable for 12+ years
-- Books Ireland
