The Asparagus Bunch
I’m Leon John Crothers. I’m 4779 days old (thirteen years and one month if you’re mathematically challenged).
I’ve been moved on from six different schools. Most people think I’ve got an attitude problem. Maybe they have a point which is maybe the point of this story.
A fresh and irreverent comedy starring a cast of neurodiverse characters. And sweets. Lots and lots of sweets.
Book details
- Title: The Asparagus Bunch
- Author: Jessica Scott-Whyte
- ISBN: 9781801300469
- Publisher: Welbeck Publishing
Please add your review below.
Only include your first name and school name (do not enter an email address or surname).
Reviews submitted after the awards submission deadline (5pm on 3 March 2023) won’t be considered as part of this year’s book awards, but you can still share your thoughts on the book below.
We have just started this book. So far we have loved it! The characters are funny and some of us thought they were relatable. Some thought of Leon as a show off or a know it all. We know that the book deals with autism, so we are keen to find out more so we can understand Leon.
Hello to BNLBS Book Club,
Thank you very much for being the first to take the plunge and leave a review. I’m glad to hear that it appears to be a case of “so far so good” with The Asparagus Bunch, though that may very well change as you advance in your reading!
I’d be lying if said that I wasn’t a little bit jealous that you are in a book club. Juggling my job, family and writing means that I have not found any extra time to join a book club myself, but it is definitely on my list of things to do in the near future.
I’m pleased to hear that you are finding humour in TAB- I believe that humour is an extremely undervalued and underestimated tool when tackling tricky topics in books. You may well spot some of them creep up in the Leon’s story, such as bullying, racism, disabilities etc. Do let me know your thoughts on this – if you think that we can use humour in stories to break down these important subjects and analyse them in a different way.
Please give my regards to your teachers/librarian and to your other classmates. I hope school is going well for you in general. I am currently researching Cadbury’s Milk Tray for the sequel to The Asparagus Bunch…I guess there could be worse things to research.
Happy reading and speak soon…
Jessica
This book is my first that I’ve read for the Juniper Book Awards and I can definitely see why this has been shotlisted. Leon is a very relatable character and the “cast of neurodiverse characters” has really diven me an insight into autism and dyslexia. This book is really quite touching and gives you and idea of the issues an autistic child has to face, and the ups and downs of his relationships with his mother and friends are interesting to read from his point of view.
I would strongly reccommend this book to anyone who is interested in neurology and really anyone who is 10-16 years old
Good morning Himank,
How lovely to turn on my computer this morning and find your review there waiting for me to read.
I really enjoyed it.
I was also chuffed to read that you felt that Leon was a very relatable character. Personally, I feel that we need more main characters in books for young people that show the good AND the bad. Good people can’t be good all the time and people who may come across as being “unlikeable” often do also have good sides to their personalities. Well, that’s what I think, but of course the beauty of reading is that no reader comes away with the same interpretation of a story, do they?
Even during the writing process of The Asparagus Bunch, there were many moments when the characters surprised me. I don’t know if you remember the chapter called Only Smarties Have the Answer, where Jim disturbs Leon in his bunker? I remember being completely taken aback when I wrote Leon’s response to Jim saying “You’ve got a real talent there, son.” When I typed out “Really?” my eyebrows shot up. It just came from nowhere. Even I didn’t think that Leon could doubt himself at times…the joys of storytelling! You just never know what will happen.
I hope that you, your loved ones and your friends are well and that school is ok. I wish you the very best of luck with your next reads and hopefully someday our paths may cross in the future…
All the best and thank you again for your great review,
Jessica
This is my first JBA 2023 read and I could not have chosen a better book to start with!
I adored the cast of characters in this novel and could relate to them all to a greater or lesser extent. I loved the feisty intelligence of Leon, which often cut deep, but also the way he starts to develop a sense of himself in relation to others. There were so many genuine laugh out loud/spill-my-coffee moments, combined with more poignant self-reflections. As a reader, I got all the feels!
This is LIFE, as seen through the eyes of three kids who “Just do it. Differently”. That Leon thinks Bountys are sus, means he is definitely my kinda kid, and I see so many similarities with Scribs in my own teenage daughter. Caroline is exactly the mum Leon needs her to be. Whilst it is not always ‘easy’ for her, I admired her acceptance and love for Leon as he is. I was interested in the way the novel explores the changes that inevitably come into their relationship, as they both gradually start to let others into their world and thought this was handled brilliantly. I am sure there are times my children would love a funhouse to escape to when they are struggling with something I have done or said!
There are gradually more books being published that give insight into the diverse experiences of young people. We want young people to see themselves reflected in the books that they read, as well as gain insight into the experiences of others. The Asparagus Bunch, with its mix of humour, wit and warmth achieves both of these things.
A massive thumbs up for this brilliantly funny, uplifting, empathy-boosting debut read. I can’t wait for more adventures from Blackpool!!
Hello Ms. Adams!
Thank you so much for your continued support for my book- and for this really generous, heart-felt review that made me smile from ear to ear while reading it.
Yes, a funhouse down the back of one’s garden would indeed be a treat. The actual inspiration for Leon and Caroline’s back garden came from an old drama teacher of mine, who used to run classes in her house. She was of a certain age, shall we say, and her back garden, which was quite enormous, had been “abandoned” for decades and I swear to you, the grass was so high you couldn’t see the wall at the far end. It was a JUNGLE! At the end of the garden, she had a very large, dilapidated greenhouse, which had been completely reclaimed by nature. I used to stare out the back window for ages between rehearsals and think to myself, just what could be lurking in that grass?? It was otherworldly!
That is why I think that one of the most important pieces of advice to give to young, budding writers is BE GREEDY. Not when it comes to material things or money obviously, but for information and
the world around us. Take EVERYTHING in. Every single thing. You just never know when your memory bank might throw up some image that could be the start of,or a detail in a creative project.
Thank you very much again for your enthusiasm and kind words around TAB and I hope you enjoy all the other reads on the shortlist. They are all terrific!
Kindest,
Jessica
I enjoyed this book so much every time I got home I was drawn to it. I would recommend this amazing book to older readers only because of the language but still well done for your amazing book.
Hello Michael!
Thank you for your lovely review and kind words. I was so moved by your opening line! To know that any reader is drawn to reading my work is just the most wonderful thing!
I was also really interested to to read that Leon was in fact your favourite character. I must admit that I do have a very soft spot for him, as I feel that he is often very misunderstood for a lot of the story in his bluntness and the way copes with things. But I wanted to depict a character who was not all just “good parts” as no human is perfect. We all have parts to our personalities that aren’t the best but that is what being human is all about, isn’t it? And just because we have faults, doesn’t mean that we don’t have qualities- as Tanya does explain to Leon in the story. It is so important to remember that when we doubt ourselves at times- I certainly have to remind myself of that when I doubt myself in any case.
I hope that you are well and that all is going well at school. Enjoy reading the rest of the books on the shortlist and thank you again for taking the time to write your review.
Kindest regards,
Jessica
My favourite Charactor is leon because I like his attitude towards everyone. I’m glad that this is a shortlisted book.
The asparagus bunch was absolutely brilliant. Leon’s condition always made life hard for him, but when he got some friends everything became complicated. I loved the little incident at the end, and for people who haven’t read it yet, I would 100% recommend it. My favourite character was Tanya as she always got the worst of Leon’s outbreaks and also put up with him. I feel the message of this book is to realise that you aren’t the only one going through hard times and that there is always going to be someone who has the same problem as you so if you find that person, you can actually help each other cope with life.
Good morning Naimah,
My goodness, what a lovely review to wake up
to this morning. I was especially taken with your insights towards the end.
Your observations about finding a kindred spirit to help you through hard times
was just so poignant and astute. It was a point of view that I hadn’t really
considered myself, but you are absolutely right with your analysis. You would
make a great journalist!
Tanya really is a wonderful person (I should
say character, but I truly see my characters as real people!) She was very much
inspired by my brother, who was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was very young-
around 6/7. He found many aspects of school extremely difficult when we were
growing up, which was hard to watch at times because I was somebody who always
enjoyed school and found the assignments/homework manageable.
Fortunately, though, my brother got a lot of
assistance in school and support from my parents and I at home and he was
brought up knowing that his dyslexia was a great gift, which yes, at times
presented real challenges, but his unique way of thinking and problem solving
was something that was truly special. We need more and more people in the world
who do things differently, who see and understand things differently- this is
crucial for coming up with solutions to problems that perhaps nobody else would
have thought of.
Today my brother lives in London and has a very
fancy pants job in business, doing extremely well for himself. He’s always told
me that his dyslexia has been a definite key to his success, as it has not only
helped him to think creatively, to come up with new/different ways of getting
things done, but it has also made him a very empathetic person as he knows
firsthand what it is like to be faced with obstacles and challenges in his day
to day life. He is just the kindest, most tolerant and generous person who has
taught me so much and I am very proud of him.
Well, I best let you get on with your school
day. I hope you are well and enjoying making your way through the shortlisted
books. Very happy reading to you and thank you again for your fabulous review.
It has made my day!
Jessica
We thought your point about finding someone in the same situation was interesting. It prompted a lot of discussion! We are looking forward to finding out more about the ‘little incident at the end!’
I think the asparagus bunch rewrites the standard to which children’s novels are written.It highlights the difficulties of of being neurodiverse whilst being a funny, inspiring book.I enjoyed how Leon loved candy and knew lots of information about various sweets and overreacts a lot to small things like his doctor thinking that he has the Asperger syndrome.I think this book will win the Juniper book award.
Good morning Neo,
I was just bowled over when reading your review! Thank you very much for your kind words and very astute remarks, I was seriously impressed.
I am also glad that you enjoyed all of the confectionary facts. I have been fanatical about sweets from a very young age and still am! When you start sniffing around for information about certain confectionary brands, you realize that there is SO MUCH we don’t know about them. So much so, that many sweet references I had included in the first drafts of TAB ended up being cut in the editing process.
One of them was the Hershey’s D-Ration bar. I have copy/pasted some general info from the internet here, in case that might interest you:
“It’s one of the most celebrated feats of World War II: On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 troops stormed the beaches of Normandy during the D-Day invasion. Less known is that an unlikely snack helped power the Allies before, during and after the historic mission—Hershey’s chocolate bars.
In 1937, the U.S. Army approached the Hershey Company about creating a specially designed bar just for its emergency rations. According to Hershey’s chief chemist Sam Hinkle, the U.S. government had just four requests about their new chocolate bars: They had to weigh 4 ounces, be high in energy, withstand high temperatures and “taste a little better than a boiled potato.” The army didn’t want the bar to be so tasty that soldiers would eat it in non-emergency situations. The
final product was called the “D ration bar,” a blend of chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, skim milk powder and oat flour. The viscous mixture proved too thick to move through the normal chocolate-bar manufacturing set up at theHershey plant, so initially each bar had to be packed into its 4-ounce mold by hand.”
In the original draft of TAB (chapter 32- Climate Change) when Jim tells Leon he has a surprise for him in his bunker, I had written that Leon somehow thought that the surprise might just be a
D-Ration bar, a piece of confectionary memorabilia that he has always longed to have in his sweet archives, but my editor though it best that we cut that bit to maintain the pace in that chapter. In hindsight, she was right.
Who knows? I may well use it again in another piece of writing someday, but in the meantime, I thought you might get a kick out that “TAB-behind the scenes” factoid.
Anyway, I must get on with starting my day. A lot to do, writing and such. I hope you are well and that the shortlist reading continues to be interesting and fun.
Thank you again for your lovely review!
Jessica
I absolutely LOVED this book.It ticks all my boxes it’s funny but not to funny and it has a brilliant storyline.My favourite character was Leon because he was the funniest in my opinion. I recommend this book to 10 and over.I’m on my third book and I’m 97% sure this should win.
Good morning Olly,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me and what a joy it was reading that you enjoyed my book! You are definitely on to something regarding the important balance of comedy works being funny but not too funny. I’ll have to think about that because I think it is a very good point.
As it turns out, I had never intended for The Asparagus Bunch to be a comedy. I don’t conisder myself or my writing funny at all! But I’ve always been fascinated by the power of humour and it’s noted absence in literature when compared to, let’s say, TV or film. This is a shame and I would like to see more books use comedy to more serious effect, if that makes sense?
I’m also glad that you liked Leon as a character. It isn’t the case for everyone, but I do have a lot of time for him. Sometimes, when I get a bit too worked up about things in my head, I try to channel Leon’s “whatever” attitude and find that I feel a lot better. It can be so easy to get overwhelmed in life, can’t it?
As the end of the year is approaching, I should take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful holiday season. Good luck with the rest of your reading and regards to your friends and loved ones.
Take care and thanks again!
Jessica
This is the first title that I have read from Juniper Book Awards and it really is an amazing book. As I have read this story, I have gone on a mini rollercoaster of emotions that have actively engaged me in the ordinary life of a teenager diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.
The story begins when Leon Crothers, a teenager who has been moved to six different schools, starts a new life in Dunley School. There he meets, and becomes great friends with, a girl called Tanya who he later finds out is dyslexic. After one month, he is diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome when he encounters a lot of change at home that he cannot cope with. Together with Tanya and a new friend Lawrence they form a club which they ironically call ‘The Asparagus Bunch’. They all create club names: Tanya is called Scribs and Lawrence is Beeboy after his obsession with bees, a feature of his Asperger’s Syndrome. On the first day, knowledge of Leon’s condition quickly spreads across the school and the school bully, Glen, refers to Leon as ‘Asparagus’. In the end they pick fights with each other but Lawrence saves the day with his bees which he throws at Glen. A little incident at the end of the book creates a major change in the friendship but throughout the story, Leon learns to control himself as much as he can and cope with changes with his friends help. One of the main themes of the book is chocolate, something which Leon shows a keen interest in but the overriding message of the story is that everyone has imperfections.
My favourite character was Tanya because, although she is dyslexic, she copes well with friends and massively helps Leon to overcome his difficulties. She is sympathetic towards him and looks out for him although she always calls him Noel.
In my opinion, this neurodiverse book helps people change their outlook towards autism as a whole. This is a thought-provoking and heart-warming read with relatable characters. Unlike other books with the same audience, this is quite enjoyable and not in the least bit boring. I would recommend this book to readers older than ten because of the nature of some of the events throughout the story. Although there is a bluntness about the book, the characters and sub plots make it a truly wonderful read.
Hello Tamira!
My goodness! What an incredibly well-written review! I actually did a double take and thought that you might be a member of the Brentwood teaching staff. Such a superb piece of writing. Well done!
And of course, it is always nice to read that you enjoyed the story and didn’t find it boring. The “B” word is my own personal obsession as a writer. Every time a write a sentence, I am tormenting myself with the question: will this sentence make the reader want to read on to the next sentence?
When I started writing TAB, I made the somewhat radical decision to “under-write” the story. I’m not sure if you’ve ever come across that term before? Basically, an under-written story is a story where the writer has provided very little description or explanation. The opposite of this is an over-written story, where the writer describes too much, which slows down the reading pace. Most writers are heavily encouraged to avoid falling into either category, but like the motto of the book, I decided to do things differently.
Why? Well, because I personally think that young people today are very exposed to visual media (TV, film, computer games, internet) meaning that their brains are far more capable and fine-tuned to visualizing things in their heads. So, I decided to strip back the language and descriptions in TAB, to allow the reader to fill in the gaps themselves and get less bogged down with pages of description.
Also, as TAB is told from the point of view of Leon, it was important to respect his own personality and mindset, by how the book was actually written. As you already know, Leon is very particular about what he finds important/interesting; hence why there are very few descriptions of people and places, but you’ll get a very detailed description of a specific chocolate bar. If I had overly described everything, then I wouldn’t be correctly representing Leon’s mindset, if that makes sense.
Uh oh, I appear to have rambled for quite a bit there! I hope you are still with me! Anyway, thank you very much again for such a fab review. Wishing you a very happy and festive holiday break.
Regards to your family and friends and all the best with the continued shortlist reading!
Take care,
Jessica
Hello Tamira!
My goodness! What an incredibly well-written review! I actually did a double take and thought that you might be a member of the Brentwood teaching staff. Such a superb piece of writing. Well done!
And of course, it is always nice to read that you enjoyed the story and didn’t find it boring. The “B” word is my own personal obsession as a writer. Every time a write a sentence, I am tormenting myself with the question: will this sentence make the reader want to read on to the next sentence?
When I started writing TAB, I made the somewhat radical decision to “under-write” the story. I’m not sure if you’ve ever come across that term before? Basically, an under-written story is a story where the writer has provided very little description or explanation. The opposite of this is an over-written story, where the writer describes too much, which slows down the reading pace. Most writers are heavily encouraged to avoid falling into either category, but like the motto of the book, I decided to do things differently.
Why? Well, because I personally think that young people today are very exposed to visual media (TV, film, computer games, internet) meaning that their brains are far more capable and fine-tuned to visualizing things in their heads. So, I decided to strip back the language and descriptions in TAB, to allow the reader to fill in the gaps themselves and get less bogged down with pages of description.
Also, as TAB is told from the point of view of Leon, it was important to respect his own personality and mindset, by how the book was actually written. As you already know, Leon is very particular about what he finds important/interesting; hence why there are very few descriptions of people and places, but you’ll get a very detailed description of a specific chocolate bar. If I had overly described everything, then I wouldn’t be correctly representing Leon’s mindset, if that makes sense.
Uh oh, I appear to have rambled for quite a bit there! I hope you are still with me! Anyway, thank you very much again for such a fab review. Wishing you a very happy and festive holiday break.
Regards to your family and friends and all the best with the continued shortlist reading!
Take care,
Jessica
I think that the asparagus bunch has a very good meaning because I have dyslexia and I feel the same way as tanya, I loved Leon and how he is very funny it is a great book WOW! IS SO GOOD.
Hello George!
Thank you so much for your review and kind words. I am also delighted that you found the book, I never get tired of hearing that because, as you know, a comedy that doesn’t make someone laugh is never a good thing!
I am also thrilled to hear that you identified with Tanya. I absolutely love her as a character. Right now I am finishing the sequel for TAB called From Blackpool With Love, and Tanya once again has a very important role, trying to help Leon navigate a number of sticky situations while at the same time calling him out for his usual “on the edge” comments and behaviour.
I think that we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be academically brilliant, but as a person who is a considerable number of years ahead of you in the game of life, I realise how important it is to have emotional intelligence. It really is the key to both personal and professional success. I think it is almost as important to be able to control and express one’s emotions, and to handle relationships judiciously and empathetically, then get 100% in every exam. Tanya is by far the most emotionally intelligent character in TAB and as you know, it is thanks to her that both Leon and Lawrence manage to get on better in their daily lives.
I want to wish you a very happy and festive holiday break, with your friends and family. Enjoy reading the rest of the shortlist and thank you once again for your lovely review!
Best wishes,
Jessica
I have just finished reading this book, and I enjoyed every single moment of it. This book is also incredibly unique, dealing with the concept of Autism, neurology and Dyslexia, something that I was not awfully familiar with! It’s filled with a rollercoaster of emotions, with Leon changing schools, making friends and trying to put things right (even if it may not be that easy). In the end, this Novel blew me away, and is now definitely competing with some other of my favourites.
Good morning Callum,
What a fab review, thank you so much! It was such a nice thing to read as I dragged myself away from holidays and back to work.
Thank you very much also for saying that you thought the book was unique. That means a lot as I really was aiming for a story that did things differently.
Your comments come at good time as well, because I am currently in the middle of drafting my new WIP (work in progress) and I am once again taking a lot of risks with it. It is common to doubt yourself when you take risks. But as I recently read in an old interview by the late great music superstar David Bowie, creatives should aim to swim so far out in the water that their feet are no longer completely touching the ground. When you have that feeling of not quite being in your comfort zone, that’s the best the place to be as that is usually where the best work comes from. Right now, I am definitely feeling a bit like that, but hearing such inspiring words from great readers like yourself boosts my confidence and encourages me to keep going.
All the best with your back to school week and of course with your reading. Delighted to hear that you have many book favourites.
Kind regards to you and to the gang in King Edward IV grammar school.
Jessica
The Asparagus Bunch is a brilliant book because it raises awareness of people with different conditions such as: autism, dyslexia and Asperger syndrome. This book was very enjoyable due to the various twists and turns along the way. I enjoyed reading about Leon’s and Tanya’s friendship and Jim’s surprise entry into the book. My favourite character is Tanya as she brightens up The Asparagus Bunch and is always finding a way to help Leon or give him some advice on his lowest days.
Unfortunately, I sometimes struggled to follow the storyline or who was speaking due to the lack of reported clauses after speech . But overall it was a good book.
I would recommend The Asparagus Bunch to 9-14 because of the language that is used.
My favourite quote in the book is: JUST DO IT. DIFFERENTLY.
Congratulations Jessica Scott-Whyte for writing such an incredible book.
Hello Morin!
Thank you very much for your review of my book. A really great read as far as reviews go!
I am glad that you found that the plot twisted and turned a bit throughout the story- I can reveal to you that it was one of the stages of writing the book that I found most challenging! Let’s just say I’ll never write a murder-mystery…I find the pressure to work out how to throw the reader off the scent far too difficult!
Thank you for drawing to my intention to the fact that you found the dialogue a struggle at times- I’ll certainly keep that in mind. Hopefully it didn’t tarnish the reading experience too much.
Apologies for the delay in replying, I am currently knee-deep in a first draft of my latest book (not the sequel to TAB- a different book) and let’s just say that the plot holes are keeping me awake at night! Spare a thought for me! 😛
I hope you enjoy reading the other books on the shortlist and that all is going well at school.
Kindest,
Jessica
At first, I was curious about the book, but the book didn’t seem to have anything that attracted me to it. They say to judge a book by its cover but I definitely did. When I picked up the book I had no regrets. The title may not say much about the book but when you read it I can assure you, you won’t put it down. Good job to Jessica Scott-Whyte and I can’t wait for the next book Blackpool with love
Hello Haneefah ( or should I say Leon, from reading your second review post below?? :))
I really enjoyed reading BOTH of your messages. Most authors might not admit this, but I am CONSTANTLY re-reading reviews from readers. It is what keeps me going when I feel like giving up….in fact I probably shouldn’t say, but I actually gave up on the sequel to TAB a number of times this year. I just convinced myself that the book didn’t have a deserving place out there alongside all the more serious reads.
I really loved what you wrote about having judged TAB initially by its cover and not being very drawn to it. I love to read honest opinions like that because it makes me feel that I am not alone! I too am guilty of judging books before reading them. WAY back in time, many years ago, when I was in primary school, a librarian kept talking to me about a book called The 21 Balloons by a writer named William Pene Dubois. I thought the title was terrible and the blurb about a man whose hot-air balloon crashes on a volcanic tropical island, even worse. But I eventually gave it a go and it remains one of my favourite books to this day! I is so quirky and inventive. A very simple story but so charmingly told- really creative. I just wanted to be the professor!
Anyway, before I start getting completely carried with this reply, I should wrap it up and get cracking on my new manuscript, which is giving me quite a headache….plot holes…the nemisis of all writers!
I hope you, your family and friends are well and happy continued reading!
All the best,
Jessica
The Asparagus Bunch is a fascinating read through the eyes of Leon, who has Asperger’s Syndrome. Leon takes the reader on an interesting journey through his life, which involves ups, downs and an abundance of funny moments. Leon can sometimes appear selfish and dislikeable, especially with how he talks , and treats his mum, though I think this is just out of sheer love for her. I really enjoyed this book and I have learnt a lot about Asperger’s syndrome and how it can affect an individual.
Star rating: 5/5
Hello Mrs D,
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your undoutedly very busy work schedule to read and consider my book. I am thrilled you enjoyed it and that you found it funny!
Your comment about Leon’s relationship with Caroline is spot on and, in my case, comes very much from first-hand experience. Leon certainly does have a deep love for his mum, but it is also very wrapped up/intertwined with a strong dependency, as she “gets him” and accepts him for who he is. I have always said that the book is a book about tolerence and Leon and Caroline’s relationship is really central to this theme.
Thank you very much again for your review.
All the best with the rest of the term and happy reading for the rest of the shortlist!
Best wishes,
Jessica
The asparagus bunch is probably THE best book I have ever read.It is so fascinating to read about his love of sweets and the way he’s so how does one say it different to everyone else in a good and very funny way. I like how in the epilogue and the conclusion he is casual and he talks about the editor almost controlling him and what is in his book.
The ending is incredibly powerful because your thinking that he’s never going to make up with Tanya but last page they make up.
GREAT BOOK I would highly recommend it to anyone and I mean anyone.
Hi Gene!
WOW! What a gushing review. I am lost for words. Really. To know that you enjoyed Leon’s story to such an extent means the absolute world. Thank you!
I did have a bit of fun alright with writing the introduction and conclusion….though it is very ironic that my editor, Felicity, is in fact the nicest person that exists on the entire planet, She also HATES Bounty bars and she often reminds me of this!
In the sequel to TAB, there is another introduction and conclusion to set the scene…Leon just can’t help himself, clearly! He always wants to state the general order of things, the staus quo, on his own terms, doesn’t he?
Thank you very much again for such an uplifting review and very happy reading to you for the future!
Kindest,
Jessica
This was one of my favourite books and I really enjoyed all the metions about sweets. I would reccomend this to anyone in ages 9 -13.
Hi Stephen!
Thank you SO much for your lovely words about my book. I’m delighted that you enjoyed it, in particular the sweet references. I have always been a huge fan of fun facts on all subjects since I was very young. While all my classmates were reading Harry Potter, I was racing through Terry Deary’s Horrible Histories series, for example. I don’t seem to be able to write anything without including some non-fiction elements or fun facts. It just brings another dimension to the reading experience that I really enjoy.
If you do fancy reading the next part of Leon’s story when it comes out, you’ll be happy to know that there is no shortage of sweet facts in it too!
Thank you again for your review. I hope school is going well and best of luck with the reading!
Kindest,
Jessica
This was an excellent book. It actually tells people to be aware of problems that people may have, and may not be pleasing. I really thought the story was good, and Jessica Scott-Whyte has a good sense of humour too! Anyone from age 9-18. Leon John Crothers was a very stubborn character, and when I read the first chapter, I knew there was going to be laughter while reading this. In conclusion, this was a terrific book!
Hello Pranav!
Thank you for such an insightful review. I really loved reading it.
It is true that people of all ages and from all walks of life are often dealing with situatons that may not appear so obvious to the average person, but that they are trying to manage below the surface.
My eldest for example, who has Aspergers, comes home from school completely burnt out and exhausted because a lot of effort and energy is needed to cope things like noise and processes that many don’t find a problem at all.
Thank you also for your compliment about me having a sense of humour! I cannot say that that my loved ones would always agree, but I thank you all the same!
I hope you and loved ones are well and happy reading for the rest of the year!
All the best,
Jessica
One of our students said the ending was really good and they weren’t wrong! I think this is a difficult book to review because it is genuinely different so you really just have to read it and make up your own mind. The confectionary facts are great, Tanya and Lawrence are amazing friends to have and Caroline is such a brilliant mum. I liked that everyone was able to show Leon so much love and I liked the way the characters stood up for themselves too. It also makes you want to eat Toblerone.
Hello Mrs Wheater,
Thank you for your lovely words about my book. I kid you not that I am writing this reply whie eating a Toblerone! I was sent a one by a family member this Christmas as a present and have yet make much headway with it…I’d happily share!
I really enjoyed reading your comment about how the book isn’t the most straightforward to review. Indeed, it doesn’t always resonate with everyone in the same way, but I will admit that I wrote TAB with a blatant, if not reckless disregard for adults! That being said, all readers opinions are of course, welcome 🙂
I love Caroline as a character, though I cannot say I follow her examples of patience when it comes to being a mum. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve tried to channel her inner spirit during mealtimes!
Wishing you all the best with the rest of the school term and thank you for taking the time to consider my book.
Kindest,
Jessica
Reviews are a waste of time nobody would read them anyway. (well that’s what I would write if I was Leon.) I feel I’ve read so much i can speak like Leon. This is an amazing book.
Hi Haneefah! I have written a proper response to your initial review above, but had to jump in here and say how much I LAUGHED reading this! So funny! You clearly have a natural comic flair! 🙂
I don’t know why I’m writing this review. Nobody will read its anyway. But, if you (for some reason) ARE reading it, make sure you have a lot of sweets at hand (STRICTLY NO BOUNTY!) This book is absolutely amazing! My favourite characters are the members of the Asparagus Bunch. I think that the ending is brilliant. I really like Lawrence (Beeboy), and I feel that the moment you meet him is very mysterious and he becomes a really important character. I think the book is brilliant.
Overall, this book is 10/10
Good morning James!
What a fantastic review to enjoy with my morning cup of tea. Thank you!
I was really touched by your kind words and was delighted to hear that you enjoyed the ending. Endings are very tricky things to write in general, I find. Though saying that, the current book I am writing is barely out of the starting blocks but I already have the ending well outlined….so I guess every story grows from different places!
I was also chuffed to hear that you liked Lawrence as a character. And I do agree with you, he is a very important character. I was actually very similar to Lawrence when I was in school. Always chirpy and chatty (too chatty) and perhaps not very aware of times when my eagerness and enthusiasm might have been a bit too much for some people. That made me target for ridicule from others qute a bit. But, my husband, who is very much a Leon, really appreciates that positive energy a lot when he having bad days. I guess my point is to go with who you are. You will find your tribe!
I wish all the best with your continued reading and hope that school is going well.
And thank you again for the fab review!
Jessica
James! We ARE reading your reviews so well done on writing one! Your review makes me want to read the book! (Sorry Jessica, that I haven’t got round to it!)
I read the Asparagus Bunch this term. It was a lovely read because of the insight the reader gets from a person living with autistic needs. It shows you a journey through the head and mindset of an autistic life. It explains the feelings during school time and even at home. It really describes how it can effect a young persons life. I personally think that it was quite an easy read. The plot was great but the language and literary techniques used possibly could have been upgraded to suite the confident readers. The character himself (Leon) finds a friend who is dyslexic and they both overcome some challenges of their own. Throughout, it keeps the reader engaged even though some of the scenes possibly were a bit unrealistic. Overall the Asparagus Bunch is a great book.
I would personally advertise this to 7-11 years olds because of the plot and characters. I think any older than this would find it too much of an easy read. So all in all it is a perfect daydreamers book.
Hello Holly,
Apologies for the time it has taken me to get back to you, but please know that I was absolutely THRILLED to read your review which was very insightful and well considered.
I absolutely see what you are saying with regards to the language. It was very much a personal choice from me as a writer to keep the language somewhat simplistic, as it tends to be my style, but also I wanted this story to be accessible to all readers, even older readers who may not perhaps be the most confident readers. But your opinion is very much welcome and I am sure in some places I could have elevated the language a bit more. Food for thought!
Make sure you to stay true to your opinions and continue to express them as you have. It is so important for the times we live in and will only set you in good stride later on in life. I am very impressed!
All the best with your conitnued reading and I hope that all is well at school.
Kindest,
Jessica
this was a great book. it filled my day with joy and laughs and is in my top 3 favorite books. well done on a great write.
Top 3? Wow! What a compliment! Thank you very much! I never actually thought about what my Top 3 books are…they tend to change a lot. Today, I would have to say, The Butcher Boy by Patrick McCabe (not suitable for under 16s, so please do not ask your librarian for it!! :)) then it would be Pure by Andrew Miller. Third would be The Billionaire’s Vinegar by Benjamin Wallace.
My favourite books tend to be either in the historical fiction, biographical fiction or horror categories, which may seem strange as The Asparagus Bunch doesn’t fall into any of those categories….though perhaps my next work in progress will….watch this space. 🙂
i now have a question. what inspired you to write this book?
Oh, a good question indeed….
Well, I guess it was a mixture of things. My eldest child has autism and so writing the Asparagus Bunch was in many ways a place to share and express what I was experiencing as a parent to a young person with autism. The relationship between Leon and Caroline is very important to me because so much of it comes from first-hand experience.
I also wanted to bring a a lot of humour into the story, which hasn’t always been welcomed by readers, especially adult readers many of whom feel that we should not joke about things like autism, dyslexia etc, but I think that humour is a very important and useful tool to tackle tricky topics from a different perspective and see things anew.
I hope this answers your question and thank you very much again for reading and consdiering my book!
All the best,
Jessica
Asparagus Bunch was an amazing book filled with laughs, twists and emotion. I really enjoyed it as it was compelling to read, and I found myself sitting reading it for hours on end. I loved reading the facts about sweets as they were really interesting. My question is: what was your inspiration to write this book? Thanks for the great read.
Hello Woody,
How wonderful to hear that you enjoyed reading me book. I am delighted! It is such a joy to know that you were swept away by my story. I love it when that happens. I am currently reading a book called Joan by Katherine J Chen, which is a fabulous fictional account about Joan of Arc which has been transporting me centuries back in time to the battlefields of the 100 years war. So gripping!
With regards to your question, I was just asked this question, above so I have copy/pasted it below. Here it is!
What inspired you to write the story:
Well, I guess it was a mixture of things. My eldest child has autism and so writing the Asparagus Bunch was in many ways a place to share and express what I was experiencing as a parent to a young person with autism. The relationship between Leon and Caroline is very important to me because so much of it comes from first-hand experience.
I also wanted to bring a a lot of humour into the story, which hasn’t always been welcomed by readers, especially adult readers many of whom feel that we should not joke about things like autism, dyslexia etc, but I think that humour is a very important and useful tool to tackle tricky topics from a different perspective and see things anew.
I am so delighted that the sweet facts were a highlight of the book for you. I am a self-confessed sweet fanatic…not a word of a lie. Especially Pick n Mix! I think the only sweets I really don’t like are Licorice Allsorts- I’ve never been a fan of licorice. Also, another sweet which I really am not so keen (and which surprises many) is Cadbury’s Creme Eggs. Never ever got into them. I’m probabaly committing some confectionary sin in admitting that!
Thank you very much for your kind words and happy continued reading!
Jessica
The Asparagus Bunch is a really good book worth reading.It’s about this boy with a mental issue who tries to navigate his way through every day life.My friend and I think it’s a book that shows you can overcome anything if you just have trust in your friends.Leon is a bit intellligent most of the time though.If I were to give this book to others,I would recommend people with learning and mental issues to inspire them.I can’t wait for From Blackpool with love to come out soon,it is going to be great.
Hello Oreoluwa,
What a fab review! Thank you very much. And what a very poignant comment about the importance and value of friendships. I was never one to have a large circle of friends. Even today, as an adult, my circle of friends is quite limited, but they are really good friends who really accept me for who I am and have been there for me through thick and thin, so for that I am very lucky.
Delighted to hear that you are keen for the next installment in Leon’s adventure. i hope that it will not disappoint.
Kind regards,
Jessica
The Asparagus Bunch is a captivating book that includes every person no matter who you are in this world. The best thing about the book is that it talks from an autistic person’s point of view. Some people interpret things in different ways and they cope with things in different ways. This book shows us how the main character is dealing with life. It takes us on a story of friendship, hardships (and SWEET-TASTING). It is very good, my favorite character is Leon as I find him interesting and funny. I would rate the book an 8/10 and I recommend this to people who like a story with lots of fun sweet facts included in it.
Hi Sarah!
Wow! The first line of your review really grabbed me. Such a powerful statement that really touched me. Thank you!
I am always curious to hear about readers’ favourite characters and I am glad you found an attachment to Leon.
It is true that there are many hardships in the story- I was pleased and intrigued to read that comment in your review. I have an awful lot to say about this- about how important it is to acknowledge how life can be very difficult at times, often when we least expect it. Not only that that but life can often be very unfair, on a number of levels. I really wanted to treat this in the story, so that readers who might be finding themselves going through hard times will not feel so alone or isolated.
I want to thank you very much again for all your lovely insights and very happy reading for the rest of the school year.
Kindest regards,
Jessica
I really enjoyed the book and it made me laugh a lot. The thing i found most interesting was how many dyslexic celebrities there where. The Asparagus bunch has definitely made me more aware of dylexia and autism
Hi Naomi,
Thank you for reading my book and for reaching out to tell me that you enjoyed it. What a great thing to hear that the book made you laugh!
Yes there are many people in the world (including celebrities) who are dyslexic – an estimated 6 million in the UK alone. A lot of progress has been made in understanding and diagnosing dyslexia as well as putting better learning practices in place so that people with dyslexia can really excel in aspects of learning that they may find more challenging.
I thank you very much again for your comments and wish you lots of more great reading experiences this year.
All the best,
Jessica
I don’t know why I am writing this review, no one will read it anyway but if you for some reason ARE reading it then keep lots of sweets and chocolates near you (especially Toblerone and Jazzies. Strictly NO bounty)
The book is very touching and gives the reader an idea of what an autistic or dyslexic child has to deal with. All the characters are really funny and I just could not stop turning the pages. I found this book really amazing and I would recommend this book to other people too.
Hello Aanya,
Ha ha! What a cheeky start to your review! Very Leon! I am chuffed that you felt compelled to continue reading and that the story made you laugh.
I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t nibble on a fair amount of sweets while writing the book. The same for the sequel!
Actually, I am currently munching on a Kinder Maxi bar right now as I am writing to you! Maybe I have a sweet tooth problem…. 🙂 One thing I find myself doing now whenever I eat sweets or chocolates is I imagine what Leon would have to say about my choice! For example, I’m pretty sure he would say that Kinder Maxi bars look uncomfortably like those toe-seperater things that Caroline uses when she is painting her toenails…!
Thank you very much again for your lovely words and a BIG thank you for recommending my book to other people. It really is the most important thing for any author- that readers help with word of mouth. The Asparagus Bunch still remains a very unknown book in the world. Every good word helps!
All the best,
Jessica
When I first read this book I felt curious and amused by the humorous introduction .The plot was fantastic and I tried breaking off a Toblerone, Leon’s way – it worked! Who inspired you for your characters? In conclusion, I would like to applaud Jessica Scott -Whyte for dedicating her time to this amazing book.
Hello Asna!
Thank you for your kind words and I was DELIGHTED to read that you tried Leon’s Toblerone technique for yourself. It really is a misunderstood chocolate bar!
Ooohh…the BIG question about who inspired my characters…
Well, Leon is a mixture of my eldest child and my husband, both of whom are neurodivergent. It might surprise you to know that Leon’s bunker actually is drawn from real-life as my husband too has an underground layer that he spends a huge deal of his time in on HIS hobby…..! And he too is a bit obsessed with the temperature down there…we’ve had a few dramas over the years with unexpected temperature changes so I had to work that into the story some way!
Caroline is in fact a real person, who I met years and years ago when I was in university. She was the best friend of the mum of an old boyfriend of mine. She had messy red hair, was a total free spirit and seemed to have lived 1000 different lives before she had even turned 50. She didn’t work as a fairground technician though- she was a yoga teacher, but she also dabbled in pottery, writing, teaching, lots of things.
Tanya is very much inspired by my brother, who is himself dyslexic. His personality is very much similar to Tanya’s and after he read the book, he said he found himself getting quite emotional at certain moments in the book, espcially the bits with Tanya in it because he really felt the same as her, which was a lovely thing to hear.
I hope these anecdotes answer your question in part (I can always go on for days with questions like these, but I’ll spare you the work of reading it all!)
Thank you very much again for your kind words and happy future reading!
Kindest,
Jessica
I loved that this book included neuro-diverse characters and I think it’s important to have representation in books. Leon’s unique way of looking at things adds humour to the story. I agree with Leon on his opinion of Bounties, Milky Ways are much better! I rate this book 10/10!
Hello Amelia!
Thank you very much for your review!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed my book and I agree with you that having characters from all walks of life with all sorts of different experiences, make for far more interesting and enriched bookshelves.
Ah, I see you are a Milky Way fan…me too! In fact, did you know that the first chapter I ever wrote for The Asparagus Bunch was the Dr.Snot chapter? Which, if my memory serves me well, is chapter 3? I NEVER write my chapters in order. Instead I tend to outline the story to give me a sort of roadmap, then I break up the outline into chapters, giving a preliminary name for each chapter and I often jot down a few lines for what will happen more or less in each chapter. Then I just write the chapter that I feel most inspired or eager to write. For example, in the sequel to TAB, I wrote the chapters where Leon visits Caroline at work first, then his visits to see Dr.Snot, because they are the scenarios I enjoy writing the most. It just goes to show that you that there is no right or wrong way to write a book, so if you ever decide to give it a go (and I hope you do because I believe that ANYONE can write a book) go at it with your heart and not your head. Do it your way!
Thank you so much again for your kind words and hope you continue to have a great reading year!
Best,
Jessica
The Asparagus Bunch gripped me from the very beginning. At the start of the book, the protagonist, Leon Crothers (with his everlasting obsession for sweets), is diagnosed with autism by Dr Snot and the book is about the challenges he faces navigating through everyday life. The way in which the author used hilarious comedy to contrast with important events and issues creates a bigger impact when something bad occurs because the mood changes from unbearable laughter to worrying problems. It’s a thought – provoking book that highlights how we treat others because we never know what is going on in someone’s head.
During the story, much to his dismay, Leon dramatically falls out with his friend, Tanya, for telling people she thought he had ‘asparagus syndrome’. Leon calls Tanya stupid and shouts furiously at her. He learns that she has a dyslexia disorder, but is left stunned when he unravels an exquisite drawing she has done. This makes him realise that people with dyslexia aren’t at all stupid, but intelligent in other ways. Although initially, Tanya isn’t happy to reconcile with him, Leon explains his disorder and says that she isn’t stupid at all and that he can see her serious talent for art. Their similarities bring them together again.
They face other problems along the way, such as Lawrence getting brutally attacked by the bullies, who smashed his beloved beehive to smithereens. Justice is served when Tanya, Lawrence and Leon form a group called, ‘The Asparagus Bunch’ and heroically take on the bullies, with a little help from Lawrence’s bees!
Without a doubt, I would rate this powerful, heart-warming and comical book five stars. I would recommend children aged 10 and over to read it as it contains some violent fights that some younger readers may be fearful of. People who are looking for a triumphant tale which brings justice and encourages us to remember that everyone is different and that we should accept this with open hearts.
Hello Abigail!
I was REALLY impressed by your review. So well written and considered. Thank you very much for your wonderful comments and insights. You also summed up the plot extremely well. Bravo!
You are absolutely right that we should not be too quick too judge what might be going on in someone else’s head. I have lost count of the number of times in my life that I have misjudged people in a first instance by assuming I knew “what they were about”, when in fact the truth was very much the contrary.
That really is the crux of the story with Leon. It is very easy to label him a lot of not nice things if we just look at him from the most obvious angle. Dig a little deeper however and other things come to the surface.
Once again, I must thank you for the all the time and effort you poured into your review and of course, for your kind comments.
All the best for the year in school and wishing you many more great reads in 2023!
Jessica
This book was very good! As I read, I found myself growing to feel like Leon, Tanya and Laurence were my friends. Jessica Scott-Whyte has managed to bring interesting information into a gripping story. My favourite character was actually Dr Snot because he felt inclined to help Leon no matter the fact that they got off on the wrong foot. I now find myself translating idioms in my head! The author has done a brilliant job and I will definitely recommend this to my younger sister in a few years!
Hello Charlie,
Thank you so much for this fab review. I really enjoyed reading it.
How lovely to hear that you liked the character of Dr.Snot as he is a big favourite of mine too. I really enjoyed exploring the ups and downs of Leon’s relationship with the doctor, which was complex enough in itself, especially as Leon has never had another adult relationship in his life except for Caroline. I think at times there is even a paternal side to Dr.Snot’s role in the story, though that is just my opinion, you may think differently!
Thank you so much for being so generous with your comments and for offering to recommend it to your sister in good time.
Happy reading for the rest of the year and I hope all is well in school!
Jessica
I just finished this book, and found it amazing. The way the author shows how the autistic mind works. This is an amazing book and I highly recommend it to everyone
Hello Ben!
Thank you so much for your kind words. I am glad that you enjoyed the first person narrative. I always felt compelled to write Leon’s voice this way. I really wanted the reader to feel as though they were living inside his head throughout the story.
Thank you again for giving my book a go and all the best wih the rest of your reading year!
Jessica
I finished this book just recently. It was amazing. Leon’s wit kept me entertained throughout the book, and his attempt to be kind was great, too. My favourite character was Tanya because of her sass and drawing skills. The book was amazing! And the illustrations were great, too.
Hello Mark!
This is such a lovely review- thanks! I am delighted you liked the illustrations. They were done by a very talented illustrator named Thy Bui. She also did the cover art for The Boy in the Back of the Class. Do you know that book? It’s a gem.
Tanya is also a gem to me. I agree her sass is really important to her character and was great fun to write. I am currently finishing the sequel to TAB and Tanya has some great sassy moments in it too 😉 Sorry I can’t say more for now.
Thank you again for your lovely comments and all the best!
Jessica
The Asparagus bunch is a great book.It takes twists and turns.My favourite character is Beeboy(Lawrence)he is so Entertaining and Enthusiastic.
Leon’s story really moved me. But it got better and It had a happy ending.
Friendship plays a big role in the book.
By caleb.
Hello Caleb!
Reading your review and how my story moved you, really moved me! You have a lovely way with words.
You arem quite right- friendships really do play a big role in the story. I always felt a great deal of pressure in school to have lots of friends and to be liked by everyone- a bit like Lawrence. The strange thing was, was that I generally preferred to be in my own company. It took me a long time- way into my adult life, to realise that sometimes a few close friends who really do accept and tolerate you for who you are is worth far more than being liked by everyone. I wanted to intergrate this life lesson into the book somehow. I hope it shines through.
Thank you again for your lovely words and I hope all is going well at school and at home.
Jessica
This is the first shortlisted book I have read and I have really enjoyed it. The Asparagus Bunch provided a unique literary experience, through the lovable narrator ,Leon. Leon is relatable and sometimes makes mistakes, which gives the reader the feeling that they are not simply reading a book, but talking to their friend Leon about his hilarious misadventures. Moreover, this book has an impeccable balance between its (often sweet-related) jokes and explaining real life topics, such as autism and dyslexia, in an light-hearted manner. Overall, I enjoyed this book, not only for its humour, but for its eloquent portrayal of the life of a child with autism.
Hello Aurora!
I just can’t tell you how taken I was with your review- so beautifully written. It means a lot.
It is a subject that I could write about for days; humour really is a very powerful genre in writing and literature, but it is a true balancing act. A book that reads like a joke book, with gag after gag after gag, doesn’t cut it. You need to heart and emotion in the mix as well. You need those unexpected moments of that tug at the readers heartstrings, because that is what amplifies the humour and transforms it into something extremely meaningful and sincere.
And thank you so also for the last line in your review. That made me smile the most. 🙂
Kindest regards to you,
Jessica
Leon John Crothers is 13 years old. He has been moved on from 6 different schools. Leon has never had friends before but at his new school he discovers some possible friends with similar needs and they try to negotiate ways to deal with life and what it throws at them.
I enjoyed how Leon and his new found ‘friends’ negotiated their way through some difficult situations. The Asparagus Bunch helped me look at life from a different perspective.
Hello Mrs. Butler!
Thank you for this lovely review and for the openess and tolerence you have shown my book from the very beginning.
I was very touched to read that my story helped you to look at life from a different perspective. That really was the purpose of writing the story in the first place. We need diversity in literature, but moreover, we need diversity within diversity if that makes sense.
Personally, I felt that all the books I had come across that treated the subject of neurodiversity had main characters that were, by and large, very likeable and wholly positive in their representation. I wanted to explore the subject of neurodiversity from a different perspective- taking a risk in centering it around a main character who is, on first impressions at least, not very likeable at all. BUT…there is more to Leon than just his “attitude problem” and so the challenge for the reader is to look beyond those first impressions and really try to get to understand Leon before judging him.
Thank you again for your lovely words and for all your support.
Kind regards,
Jessica
I think The Asparagus Bunch was a good book. The book had a weird and sad start. It was interesting and the ending was decent. I enjoyed the style of writing. The book shocked me when it said he might have autism. It made me think what would happen if I had a condition like that. I wanted to read on to find out what happens. I could follow the storyline clearly.
Hello Nigel,
Thank you for your review! I am so intrigued about your thoughts on the beginning of my book. A weird and sad start- I’m going to ponder that one. There is nothing I love more than getting feedback from readers that pusjes to even better understand my work. So, thank you!
How wonderful that you felt compelled to read on…those comments are the stuff of authors’ dreams!
Thank you again for your review and happy reading for the future!
Jessica
I really enjoyed reading this book and found myself wanting to read on throughout the book. I found all the characters convincing. I thought the style of writing was brilliant and really engaging and I can’t wait for the sequel! I would recommend this book to every Year 7 student as it is so good.
Hello Emily!
What kind words! This review has made my day.
And how fantastic it was to read in your review that you found my characters covincing. That is always a worry that authors have- it is so crucial to write characters that are convincing.
As much as I am delighted that you are keen for the sequel…I am so nervous about it going out there into the big wide world! I feel such an enormous pressure to not disappoint with the sequel. All my characters are so dear to me, so I feel as though I have to not let them down by producing something that isn’t top notch.
But your kind words definitely spur me on.
Thank you so much again!
Jessica
I think that the book had a good starting and the ending, as you can adapt to all of the description/information but I am still confused on how the blurb doesn’t have any similarity to the actual book itself. Yes, I did enjoy the type of writing as it had a lot of humour and if you know me you know that I have a passion for humour.
Hello EJ!
I remember you from the online author session we did a few weeks back- and your great point about the blurb, which I am still pondering!
How great to read that you have a passion for humour- me too. I think that now more than ever, we need to be embracing the power that humour can bring to how we analyse and view the world we live in and how to make sense of the madness. The world seems to be getting more and more complex and stressful by the day, with a seemingly endless list of woes and problems that we all feel somewhat responsible to help fix. We need now, more than ever, creative thinkers to see things from a different perspective in order to find solutions to problems that nobody else has thought of before. So, I think if you are passionate about humour, that is already a very good thing! Hold on to that!
Thank you again for your comments and happy future reading!
Jessica
The Asparagus Bunch was an interesting book that made me want to read on throughout the whole thing! It was hilarious and engaging. I loved the characters. They were convincing. I feel that many people could relate to this book and take things from it. I would recommend to anyone with a good sense of humour and a love of sweets! If the sequel is anywhere near as good as the first book, I would happily read it!
Hello Jessica,
I remember you from the online author session a few weeks ago, because we share the same name!
How lovely to read that you found the characters convincing and also that you feel TAB is a book that people can take things from.
There is one thing I forgot to add into my answer to the question that you asked me during the author session- about what did I hope people would/could take away from the book- and that is the importance of hobbies and interests! I think that it is CRUCIAL that everyone is interested in something. ANYTHING. From trains to stamps, and from video games to baking, we should all have some realm of interest that we can retreat to when we need to.
I have lots of hobbies- writing of course, but also, I collect books, I also am OBSESSED with jigsaw puzzles, I love history, cinema, art, board games…oh the list could go on and on.
I hope that my story might encourage readers to take up a hobby or head to the library and read up on a subject that they find interesting.
Thank you again for your kind review and happy future reading!
Jessica
I liked the book. It was really interesting and I would recommend this book to a friend or family member to read because it’s really good and I would give it a 7/10.
Hello Mya,
Thank you so much for saying that you would recommend my book- that means so much. I t really does. And thank you for the score! 7/10- I am chuffed!
All the best,
Jessica
Overall I think that this book was a good read, but I also think it could have been better. The storyline became easier to follow after the first couple of chapters, but it did make me think about why some of the characters said what they did. The main character had dialogue that could be considered as racist – this make me like him less. I would recommend this book to a friend, but mostly because it has some good life lessons involved, such as think before you speak and your words can have a bad consequence. In the end I think that this book was okay, however, I would not read it again.
Hello Esme!
Thank you very much for your review- which I read with great interest.
You are aboslutely right in your comments that Leon does at times say things that are inappropriate and in the school resources kit that my publisher produced for TAB, one of the questions put forward for discussion was whether or not Leon could be considered as racist. It is an important question that should generate much discussion.
And thank you so much for your honesty regarding my book. It shows great courage and conviction, values which are very important and that I respect very much.
Thank you very much again and happy reading for the future.
Jessica
My overall rating for The Asparagus Bunch is a 6/10 because the book starts with a good introduction but it’s not as fun and interactive as the middle part and the end. I enjoy the style of writing as it’s in the first person. The book made me feel sad as you see Leon struggle with things that he can’t help. The book made me think a lot about how people feel.
Hello Grace!
Thank you for your review. I am sorry that you felt that the middle and end of the book didin’t quite live up to the beginning. It was lovely to read that you enjoyed the first person narrative. I think it is the style of narrative I most prefer too. If you haven’t read Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend yet, I highly recommend it for its humour and first-person narrative.
Thank you also for your score of 6/10!
Kindest,
Jessica
It was a good read.
Hello William,
I remember you from the online author session we did and few weeks back. I am still thinking about your great question! I too have read books where the characters remind me of people I know.
One of favourite books of all time is Roald Dahl’s Danny, Champion of the World. Danny’s father in the story reminds me so much of an uncle of mine. He’s a very outdoorsy person who has lived in cavarans throughout the course of his life and also had a wonderful sense of imagination and adventure. I can’t help but think of him when I read Danny.
Thank you very much for saying that you thought my story was a good read- it really meant a lot to me.
All the best,
Jessica
I really enjoyed reading this book because it had a casual start and it finished in a satisfying way. I had mixed emotions from the book such as: overwhelmed, sad and happy. I would recommend this to a friend who has an interest in sweets/chocolate because the main character has a lot of interest in that. I don’t normally read books like this but since I really enjoyed it I think I should be more open. The book made me want to read on more because a the end of each chapter it kind of left on. But overall I definitely enjoyed it and recommend it.
Hello Ann!
Oh, what a treat is was to read your lovely comments. Thank you! I was really interested to read that you aren’t normally drawn to books like this and that the experience has perhaps made you think about being more open to reading books that you are not really drawn to at first.
There are two genres in literature that i never find myself being drawn to – sci-fi and fantasy. yet I know that I am probably in a minority as these genres are doing so well at the moment!
But shadowing the Juniper Awards shortlist myself has gotten me to read in both genres and I was blown away with both Running out of Time and The Book of Stolen Dreams.
So yes, I agree that keeping an open mind to our reading choices should be encouraged for eveyone.
Thank you again for your stellar review and happy continued reading!
Jessica
I think that The Asparagus Bunch is a very inspirational book that includes good life lessons that people can learn from. This book made me feel a bit sad and happy. The storyline was very easy to follow. I would definitely recommend this book for people who like to have a laugh, are okay with feeling sad and love sweets and chocolate!
Hi Louis!
Thank you for this brill review! How lovely to read that you found my book inspirational. High praise indeed!
It was really important for me to make sure that the reading experience was a fluid, easy one. I think that a lot of people feel nowadays that “good books” have to be very overwritten, using lots of fancy language. I think we need more books that don’t overcrowd the reader’s mind and flow at a pace that allows the story to breathe in the reader’s mind. That’s when we have the most enoyable and fufilling reading experiences in my opinion.
Thank you very much again for your kind words and hope all is well at school and at home,
Jessica
I like the way the book starts. It includes an introduction about Leon and his attitude problem. I wanted to keep reading because the book had a good plot. I could follow the storyline easily and I would recommend the book. I liked the writing style.
Hi Mckenzie!
What a ovely review to read on this rainy day- cheered me right up!
I am thrilled that you liked the way the book starts. Often, the start of a book is the trickest part to write and I must admit that the idea didn’t come to me straight away to lead in with an introduction etc…it was Leon’s idea! Often, Leon’s voice comes rushing into my head with such clairty and confidence, that I sometimes I just sit back and daydream a bit and let him natter away to me, almost guiding my thoughts as to what I should put down on paper!
Ah, the wonderful world of writing. Never a dull moment!
Thank you again fro your lovely comments and take care,
Jessica
It is a good book since it has a lot of sweets. It is interesting and funny. This is the perfect book for people aged 7-14. It was very easy to follow the story and the characters were convincing. Apart from the boring ending, on the whole the book was intriguing and interesting.
Hi Dylan!
Thank you for your great review.
Do you know that you are not the only person who has had a problem with the ending. A few people have said this to me- darn!- I really need to look into that and be more concious of the ending for the sequel.
At least other parts of the book intrigued you and hooray for the fun sweet facts comment too!
All the best,
Jessica
I recommend this book to all ages as it teaches you what neurodiversity is but following a boy called Leon’s life. Leon is diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome but he doesn’t like to admit it. This book has a great start and it got me interested straight away. It has a storyline which was easy to follow and overall I enjoyed this book.
Leon (the main character) is into sweets and is a very picky eater. I would recommend this to my friends and my family.
Hi Sophie!
Thank you for your lovely words. I am so chuffed that you felt the book got off to a good start (always a bonus!) and that it held your interest.
Yes, I had a lot of inspiration for Leon’s eating habits from my own family. In particular my eldest, who has Aspergers. We do often battle with issues about how food is cooked, and plated. Mealtimes can often be a source of stress as a result, but we have a come up with a solution to try and ease the stress by running what we call a dinnertime book club, where we talk about the books we are reading during our evening meal. Everyone brings the book they are reading to the kitchen table and we discuss together. It distracts from the stress of eating for my eldest and also is a nice moment to talk about books, which is a passion of ours as a family.
Thank you very much again for your fab review and happy future reading!
Jessica