He Could Be Another Bill Gates by Donna Levin

He Could Be Another Bill Gates by Donna Levin – 310 pages

Book Blurb:

Anna Kagen had her heart broken five years ago–so badly that she can’t imagine ever having another man in her life. Her ex-husband, Alex, would like her to stay single: that would ensure that he has control of their children, Jack, a 16-year-old on the autism spectrum, and five-year-old Marissa, whose “giftedness” might be wishful thinking on his part, since he needs someone to achieve his own unfulfilled ambitions. As for Jack, he’s ready to open his heart: to the lissome redhead and high school queen bee, Ashleigh. And she’s taking an interest in him! When Anna reconnects with Jason, a man from her past who was once kind to her and who has a special needs son of his own, they seem destined to become a new family. But not if their ex-spouses have anything to say about it.

My Review: 4 stars – Guest Review

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He Could Be Another Bill Gates is a unique, complex, quirky contemporary novel that deals with the daily life of a modern day, non-traditional family.  The novel predominantly centers around Jack, a teenager with Autism, who is making the transition to a full inclusion public high school. The novel is told from the perspectives of several characters that include:  Jack, Anna (Jack’s mother), Marissa (Jack’s 5-year-old precocious “neurotypical” sister), and Ashleigh (a neurotypical classmate whom Jack is attracted to). This novel is a sequel to the author’s previous novel; however, He Could Be Another Bill Gates is a standalone book, that can be enjoyed on its own.

The highlights of this novel were the portions written from Jack’s point of view.  This is the first book I have read in this genre that realistically and authentically portrays the inner workings of the mind of a teenager on the Autism spectrum. The reader is transported into Jack’s world as he adjusts to high school, navigates his independence, and struggles for acceptance. The reader gets first-hand insights into how a teenager with Autism thinks and feels, and what he hears when others talk. Ms. Levin’s depiction of a teenager on the Autism spectrum is spot on. She wonderfully conveys the social awkwardness, language difficulties, and rigidity typically associated with children on the spectrum.

All of Ms. Levin’s characters were interesting and portrayed in a unique and realistic manner. The points of view of all characters were very believable. The portions narrated by Jack’s mother Anna were very comical. Anna is extremely witty and displays a biting sense of humor, especially when dealing with her ex-husband. I felt empathy for Anna as she tries to be a good parent while constantly being challenged and overwhelmed by many real-life situations.  The sections narrated by Marissa, Jack’s five-year-old gifted sister, also vividly capture the experience of a young child being pulled into two different worlds as a result of divorce.  Ms. Levin effectively portrayed the mindsets of both female and male characters. The sections narrated by Ashleigh, Jack’s classmate who befriends him and wants to help him, did not hold my interest. Those portions of the novel moved more slowly and were less compelling. Although all of the different voices in this novel felt very authentic, the transitions between the various characters’ perspectives were not always smooth.

This coming of age story alternates between humor and sadness as it tackles themes that include family relationships, divorce, blended families, dysfunctional households, romance, custody issues, childcare, autism, politics, and education. There are several unforeseen twists and surprises along the way. I applaud the author for tackling so many modern day issues and relationships in a realistic way.  This book is a very entertaining read, and you will find yourself rooting for this family.  The reader will also come away with an improve understanding of people on the spectrum. Reviewed by Guest Fairy Ronna.

Quotes I liked:

Jack, Marissa, and I would return to being the mere outline of a family, like a page in a coloring book left blank.”

– “He may not be a person of unlimited potential, but he is a person of unknown potential.”

– “Love may not be stronger than death, but rationalization is stronger than reality.”

– “And when I was pregnant, I knew that something might go wrong, and I knew that the going wrong could happen to me, but I thought that by worrying about what could go wrong I could stave it off, so I worried, and worried hard, about a long list of going wrongs, like a missing finger, or a cleft palate, or a late-term miscarriage.  I forgot to worry about autism.”