Mindblind by Jennifer Roy 245 pages

Great novel about a likeable fourteen year old who happens to have Asperger's syndrome. He lives on two levels. One, trying to communicate and survive in the real world and the other is his inner self. His mother, who is a saint forces him out of his comfortable shell and runs interference with the world and his father on his behalf. Although many have said that he is a genius (he is brilliant in math, has perfect SAT scores and an amazing IQ score), he does not meet the criteria he came across in a book. It said that a genius must make his mark on the real world. So, he ventures forth into the world. He plays keyboard and begins writing music for a small garage band. He gets a crush on the female member of the band. He creates a relationship with his father's second family. This is for readers who have enjoyed Erksine's Mockingbird (a younger girl struggling with the same disablity). This does refute the common perception that those with Aspergers' cannot feel or express love and affection. He gives his mom great emotional feedback. The relationship with his Dad is a bit easier to believe. The author has an 8 year old boy with Aspergers' and his intelligence is demonstrated after the story is finished.