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Carol Cujec
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Real Hardcover – February 2, 2021

by Carol Cujec (Author), Peyton Goddard (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 193 ratings
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Inspired by a true story, Real speaks to all those who've ever felt they didn't belong and reminds readers that all people are worthy of being included.

My name is Charity. I am thirteen years old. Actually, thirteen years plus eighty-seven days. I love sour gummies and pepperoni pizza. That last part no one knows because I have not spoken a sentence since I was born. Each dawning day, I live in terror of my unpredictable body that no one understands.

Charity may have mad math skills and a near-perfect memory, but with a mouth that can't speak and a body that jumps, rocks, and howls unpredictably, most people incorrectly assume she cannot learn. Charity's brain works differently from most people's because of her autism, but she's still funny, determined, and kind. So why do people treat her like a disease or ignore her like she's invisible?

When Charity's parents enroll her in a public junior high school, she faces her greatest fears. Will kids make fun of her? Will her behavior get her kicked out? Will her million thoughts stay locked in her head forever? With the support of teachers and newfound friends, Charity will have to fight to be treated like a real student.

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  1. Reading age
    8 - 11 years
  2. Print length
    304 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 4
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1 x 8.75 inches
  6. Publisher
    Shadow Mountain
  7. Publication date
    February 2, 2021
  8. ISBN-10
    162972789X
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1629727899
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Editorial Reviews

Review

2022 Outstanding Contribution to Juvenile Fiction Award --"Children's Literature Council of Southern California"

About the Author

Carol Cujec, PhD, has worked as a writer and educator for two decades. Her own teaching and parenting experiences have given her welcomed insights into celebrating neurodiversity. Carol lives in San Diego with her husband, three children, and a mischievous orange tabby.

Peyton Goddard is an advocate for inclusion and has written about and made many presentations on living with autism. Her message is one of valuing all people and protecting those most vulnerable from abuse which she experienced for several decades when she lacked a dependable mode of communication. Her message centers on changing this worrisome world through compassionate understanding and support for all. Peyton lives with support in her own apartment, adjacent to her parents' home in San Diego.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shadow Mountain (February 2, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 162972789X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1629727899
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 11 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 4
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 193 ratings

About the author

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Carol Cujec

Carol Cujec

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Carol Cujec is an educator and author. Her latest book, written with Peyton Goddard, is a middle-grade novel, called REAL, which invites young readers into the world of a girl with nonspeaking autism. Peyton wants kids to understand autism not as a disability so much as a different way of experiencing the world. Real is a groundbreaking story that celebrates the magic that happens when we value and include all people.

Carol lives with her family in southern California and enjoys yoga, cooking, playing guitar with her daughter and, of course, hiding out with a good book.

Visit Carol's website: http://carolcujec.com

Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolacujec

Follow her on Twitter: @Ccujec

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
193 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story heartwarming, with one mentioning it's inspired by the true story of Peyton Goddard. The book receives positive feedback for its readability, with customers describing it as a fantastic read.

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Heartwarming storyReadability
9 customers mention "Heartwarming story"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming, with one mentioning it's inspired by the true story of Peyton Goddard.

"This book gives great incite about people who are nonverbal and shows how they are locked in their own heads until a way for communication is found...." Read more

"...shoes—this story does just that while also having villains, twists, suspense, and redemption. I cried more than once, tears or sadness and joy...." Read more

"...The novel is inspired by the true story of Peyton Goddard, who was labeled as incapable of learning...." Read more

"...The first-person narrative gripped me and kept me turning pages...." Read more

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a fantastic read, with one customer noting it is well-written and another describing it as a heartfelt experience.

"...But it's also just a great story that everyone should read. I could see this book as a must-read in classrooms across America...." Read more

"...Educators, REAL is a must read. Parents, ditto...." Read more

"Love this book, I have a nephew who is nonverbal autistic and I appreciated the point of view of the author/protagonist in the story...." Read more

"REAL is an insightful and heartfelt read. I journeyed through Charity's trials and triumphs with ease...." Read more

Outstanding: Every human on this planet needs to read this book!
5 out of 5 stars
Outstanding: Every human on this planet needs to read this book!
I am blown away by this extremely powerful and important story that should be shared with everyone of all ages. I am a principal of a school for neurodivergent students and I guarantee this will be on a must-read list for our staff, families and for our students. We've already ordered copies for our students and staff. Thank you to the authors for doing an exceptional job at taking your readers on a journey to help them understand: sensory motor differences, brain-body disconnect, apraxia, supported typing, and the essential need to be SEEN, to belong and to be understood. Wow. Will this be turned into a movie with an actual autistic actor playing Charity? I surely hope so. I look forward to whatever else these authors have up their sleeves. BRAVO!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Kelly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
    Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book gives great incite about people who are nonverbal and shows how they are locked in their own heads until a way for communication is found. It shows how much support from family is required for the proper education for people that many think can't be educated beyond basics, which shouldn't be the case. The story also reveals that intelligence isn't limited because of someone's physical condition and nonverbal abilities.
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  • Fran S.
    5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing book for people of all ages
    Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Real is a fantastic read! I couldn't put it down. Not only a heart-warming, eye-opening, and necessary story, but so well-written, too! While the main character is 13, this book is for everyone—especially anyone who has ever had, or will ever have, interaction with autistic people. But it's also just a great story that everyone should read.

    I could see this book as a must-read in classrooms across America. More and more educators are recognizing the importance of having their students learn about those who are not like them—walk in their shoes—this story does just that while also having villains, twists, suspense, and redemption. I cried more than once, tears or sadness and joy. Well done!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • SuperMom
    5.0 out of 5 stars For fans of the book, WONDER
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I discovered the middle grade novel, REAL by Carol Cujec and Peyton Goddard by pleasant accident. REAL is based on Peyton's true story. She has #autism and couldn't communicate until educators found a way for her to do so. Only then were her parents, family and teachers able to communicate with her. When they did, they discovered her brilliance and watched her graduate college first in her class. But it wasn't easy. She wasn't included. Other kids laughed at her which only helped ignite her "kettle explosions" and feeling of being #others. Peyton reminds me of my cousin with autism. When we were little kids, we couldn't communicate with him. I wish I had had REAL back then to better understand him, what he was experiencing, and how I could have made a difference. Fans of the book #WONDER and #ChooseKindness, REAL is for you. Educators, REAL is a must read. Parents, ditto. If you know someone with autism, REAL will help you experience what it feels like to be in his/her body and understand.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • sd
    5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing novel for middle grade readers
    Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    REAL is a novel written for 13 year olds and younger that is ideal for children and adults. It is a window into the world of a neurodiverse young girl who cannot communicate with others due to her autism. We go on a journey with Charity from noncommunication at a school where she is abused, to a school where she can learn and be accepted. The novel is inspired by the true story of Peyton Goddard, who was labeled as incapable of learning.
    This amazing novel will grip your heart and mind.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Nathan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2022
    I listened to this one on the Deseret Book app and really enjoyed it. My little complaint is that I didn’t understand what was going on with the MC at the trial when she was going through all the pages of the animal encyclopedia in her mind. I thought maybe she was typing those things and I want sure why. It may be more clear when reading the physical book or maybe I missed something when I was listening. My bigger complaint is that one of her aides repeatedly tells her to “tell her truth” which is my least favorite phrase ever. Truth is truth no matter who you are and what your experiences have been. Opinions are what is debatable. Now, what the MC shares is her testimony, which is the truth as she has experienced it and I don’t discount that at all, but the phrase “speak your truth” is a social construct we’ve made to excuse people from living a higher standard and allows them to escape consequences for poor choices.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • David S. Larson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Visceral and Moving
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    From the opening paragraph, I was immersed in the world of a young girl who’s unable to speak, whose body doesn’t respond to simple commands, and who everyone believes is “retarded.” The first-person narrative gripped me and kept me turning pages. I had to know where Charity was headed and how she could possibly exist, and even excel, in such a foreign world. A heart-wrenching ride from start to finish. I’ll never look at another disabled or “special” person the same. Thank you, Carol and Peyton.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Judy Zimbelman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not the "r" word
    Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    It's hard for me to see this book in the YP category. The theme of acceptance is clearly a middle school developmental step, but this book was quite graphic about isolation, bullying and limitations from labeling. It was a very emotional read for me a retired principal. I am so glad we are learning more about assistive technology and communication.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great unique perspective
    Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Love this book, I have a nephew who is nonverbal autistic and I appreciated the point of view of the author/protagonist in the story. Well done and interesting, and it's always great to broaden our horizon of what we understand. I also had my kids all read it (11, 15 and 17)... I would recommend it to everyone.
    One person found this helpful
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