Ann M. Martin, author of the popular “ BabySitters Club” series, has tackled the current interest in autism. “Rain Reign,” published in 2014 is touching, rough, spirit-filled, and hopeful all at once. Rose is an only child living with her father. They are not well-off and Rose has autism with a focus on numbers (especially prime numbers), lists and homonyms.
Rose also has a generous heart and when a puppy arrives without a collar, she has a dear and faithful friend in the animal, a wonderful gift from her father.
When “Rain, the puppy” is let out into a superstorm without a collar, Rose organizes a search with her teacher’s help, her uncle’s encouragement, and startling results.
This author uses Rose’s perspective to great advantage, projecting the thought processes of an autistic child while using other people’s feelings and treatment of Rose. Misunderstandings come full circle, though, and this book is one of those to reread in a few months just for the warmth and perspective of Rose.
