Fascinating book written by an autistic child. I am interested in autism and this was a real eye opener. ( )

Sometimes I just can't believe some of the books I can stumble upon while wandering around the public library bookshelves. Months ago, while browsing the poetry section of my library, this book caught my eye. More accurately, the book spine did, and the title attracted me, and I liked the cover. That was it. It seemed interesting, and I filed it away in my memory bank as a book I might check out some time in the future.

Then, I forgot about it.

Fast forward a few months, once again the spine catches my eye. This time, instead of filing it away and potentially forgetting about it again, I nabbed it. And oh, how glad I am I did.

The Mind Tree might be on of the most inspiring books I've ever had the pleasure of reading. It is written by Tito Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay, a young man who was diagnosed with severe non-verbal autism when he was a boy. There is little hope for a child diagnosed with this devastating disorder, lacking the ability to speak or even communicate in any way. It is a life-altering realization for a parent.

But Tito and his mother fought it. Determined to help her son lead as normal a life as possible, Soma fervently worked with her son in hopes of breaking the entanglements on his incarcerated mind. Astonishingly, she discovered he understood numbers and, with time, letters. With letters came words, and with words came communication. She always knew her son was aware despite the doctors' opinions, and with dedication, hard work, and love she unearthed the son she knew was there all along.

Today, Tito still lives in his colorful autistic world, but from this topsy-turvy place he speaks to us with the written word. This is his book, written by this wondrous young man, and it is nothing short of phenomenal. It is a look an autistic child's mind, and I think it will drastically change people's opinions of this 'disorder.' It is truly a magnificent book. The subtitle refers to Tito as 'miraculous,' and I can't think of a better way to describe him, and his book.

The Mind Tree is inspiring, insightful, and enlightening, and I think everyone would benefit from reading it. Please, go find a copy. ( )