The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous

Crowley, Suzanne. The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous. New York: Harper Collins, 2007.

This story is told from the point of view of the protagonist, a preteen with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has a "very ordered existence," and has scheduled out exactly what she will do each day. This way of living has worked well for her, until Biswick moves into town. Biswick, a young boy with problems of his own, is determined to be Merilee's friend. His appearance in her life disrupts her "very ordered existence," and she has to choose whether to go back to the safety of her schedule or to choose to really live.

"You've set up a nice little existence for yourself here, Merilee. A safe place that you will never have to venture out of your whole life. Believe me, I know. And you're always looking for an excuse to stay in your little make-believe world. Poor Merilee Monroe. Has the biggest bucketload of woes around so of course she can't love anyone. Well, let me tell you--I'm here to tell you the Lord Almighty up above wants you to grow up and love and be loved."

This book is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and I will probably read this book out loud to my class next year.