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Boy Made of Blocks
Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
Alex loves his family, and yet he struggles to connect with his eight-year-old autistic son, Sam. The strain has pushed his marriage to the breaking point. So Alex moves in with his merrily irresponsible best friend on the world s most uncomfortable blow-up bed.As Alex navigates single life, long-buried family secrets, and part-time fatherhood, his son begins playing "Minecraft." Sam s imagination blossoms and the game opens up a whole new world for father and son to share. Together, they discover that sometimes life must fall apart before you can build a better one.Inspired by Keith Stuart s own relationship with his autistic son, "A Boy Made of Blocks "is a tear-jerking, funny, and, most of all, true-to-life novel about the power of difference and one very special little boy."
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review
Clwojick
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Pickpick

Just finished this one for #JoysofJune and the #BigJuneReadathon , and I absolutely adored it. It broke my heart a little bit, but in the best way. ❤️

PageShifter Hmmmm. Sounds intriguing 🧐 2y
Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 2y
63 likes2 comments
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SanjanaGhosh
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Pickpick

Just finished this one. Off to download Minecraft now😁

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GatheringBooks
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Mehso-so

#Movember Day 21: It was interesting to hear a father‘s often-self-deprecating, funny-but-tragic account of what it‘s like to raise a young child with autism – especially as he was “chucked out” of the house (yes, it‘s a very British novel) by his wife who feels that he is often “absent” even when he is around. #PapaDontPreach. My review of this memoir here: https://wp.me/pDlzr-eRR

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TrishB
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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#foundations #lilithjuly
This one was in my head all day and has taken me that long to find. Foundations/(building) blocks. Still not read.

KarenUK Not familiar with this one... But definitely going to stack it.... sounds lovely 💕📚 5y
Cinfhen I hate when that happens!!! Hurray for you for finally remembering 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y
106 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Whimsical.Curiosity
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Such a sweet story leading up to the opening of this book! Day 5 😘🎄A Boy Made of Blocks.
#bookishadventcalendar #twelvedaysofbookclubmas
#onceuponabookclub

74 likes3 stack adds
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bookish_wookish
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Book-Club-Mas Day 5

The gift today was A Boy Made Of Blocks. Ive never heard of this book but im excited to read it!

GA_Bookworm07 What's book club-mas 6y
bookish_wookish It a special Christmas Advent Calendar box that Once Upon A Book Club did. They do a monthly book subscription box, its pretty cool. @GA_Bookworm07 6y
42 likes2 comments
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Libby1
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Pickpick

Funny, touching, thoughtful.

Alex‘s son Sam has been diagnosed with #Autism , and Alex finds it difficult to find a connection. Inspired by the author‘s real life experience with his son, A Boy Made of Blocks is about family, connections, and Minecraft! It did get a bit bogged down in the middle, but it was a great story that rang true.

And look at those lovely #Endpapers !

#ASD

TrishB I have this on one of the piles 👍🏻 6y
Libby1 Excellent, @TrishB ! I really liked it. 6y
68 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Libby1
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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“Now it seems that everything is becoming clearer, like sunlight streaming across an unfamiliar landscape. He‘s not a problem, he‘s brilliant. He‘s my beautiful son. He‘s funny and smart and full of curiosity, and he links things together in weird but brilliant ways.”

#Autism
#ASD

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Libby1
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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I‘ve received kindness from so many of you as I‘ve shared that I‘ve had a rough time over the last year.

I have been unable to say why until just this moment.

I just received news that my son has a diagnosis of #ASD , or #AutisticSpectrumDisorder . Previously it was called #Aspergers , but in the UK it is now referred to only as ASD.

Are there other Littens whose children have special needs? If so, I‘m sending out all the love I can muster.

Libby1 Before anyone can ask I want you to know that we are RELIEVED as we were quite certain that he was on the Spectrum and we only want to help him the best way possible. We will be able to access more support now that we have a diagnosis. 6y
alisiakae Hugs! 💕 The process to diagnosis can hard. I don‘t have a child on the spectrum, but many of my friend‘s do. 6y
alisiakae Isn‘t it frustrating how difficult it can be to access services until you get that diagnosis? You are a strong mamma, and a great advocate for you son! 6y
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youneverarrived Your son is lucky to have a Mam who is so supportive 💕 my cousin was pretty certain her daughter was autistic but it took a lot of effort on her part to get that diagnosis for her. Now she has she gets the support she needs both at home & at school. 6y
Laura317 My nephew is on the spectrum. As his sometimes caretaker, I can tell you to get all the support that you can! Be prepared to fight for him to get what he both needs and deserves. 💕💕 6y
Reviewsbylola My 6 year old daughter is autistic. We got her diagnosis about two years ago. And I felt the same way as you, absolute relief. I knew in my gut that an ASD diagnosis was the right one and I was terrified she wouldn‘t get it. She‘s now in kindergarten and absolutely thriving. She is very proud of her special brain. ❤️❤️ 6y
squirrelbrain @Libby1 good to hear you‘ve got a diagnosis, hopefully it will be onwards and upwards from here. @Reviewsbylola - what a lovely way of viewing it, a ‘special brain‘! ❤️❤️ 6y
CouronneDhiver I‘m sorry it‘s been hard. 😕 Thanks for trusting us enough to share. I don‘t have any children but special needs kids are some of the coolest humans ever - they have such unique perspective and wisdom. 😎 6y
Libby1 @4thhouseontheleft - thanks so much for your kind comments. I know that there is a well of kindness out there for me and my family. You are part of that. 💕 6y
Libby1 @youneverarrived - thanks so much for your encouragement. 💕 I‘m glad your cousin and her child are getting more support. I hope you‘re having a good day today. 🌈 6y
Libby1 @Laura317 - I‘m sure you are a fantastic support for your nephew and his parents. Thanks for that. Understanding is so welcome. I am ready to be an advocate. 💪🏻 6y
Libby1 @Reviewsbylola - I‘m so glad your daughter is doing so well! I told my son he has a special brain, too! Your words were helpful to me. 6y
Libby1 @squirrelbrain - you‘re so kind! All this encouragement is really helping me feel stronger. 6y
Libby1 @CouronneDhiver - thanks so much, dear one. 💕🌈 6y
65 likes14 comments
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NME
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Ooh look what i found at my campsite👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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Em_loves
Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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A beautiful, lovely read that puts the world to rights 💓

EleanorJ Seen on snap chat you are reading Carrie Hope Fletchers novel..... thoughts?? Xx 7y
7 likes1 comment
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Em_loves
Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Pickpick

About halfway through this and I‘m enjoying it.
It‘s an easy read and quite nice to dip in and out of!
If you like stories exploring difficult family relationships then this is perfect!

*H A P P Y W E D N E S D A Y*

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JanuarieTimewalker13
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Pickpick

Loved this book. A father finding his way back to happiness-and the route is understanding his son. Poignant story with tears and chuckles. Subjects featured: Autism and Minecraft. (And yes, I still have a corded phone, I'm old school)

MinDea Love the look on your cat's face! 😂😂 7y
JanuarieTimewalker13 @MinDea That's XENA...her name has to be in caps bc she's chuck full of catitude😸 7y
MemoirsForMe XENA! 🙌🏻👍🏻 7y
JanuarieTimewalker13 @UwannaPublishme Girl Power!!✊🏽😻 7y
46 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Em_loves
Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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27th birthday hangover breakfast and book 🥂😍😍😍😍📚💓

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JanuarieTimewalker13
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Bunny slipper socks (Old Navy New Hyde Park purchase-holla to any Queens/LI peeps) as promised. Enjoying this book whilst drinking my peppermint green tea with agave👍🏽 Le chat Dean Martin in da house😀

Tanzy13 🐱 7y
RaimeyGallant Sounds heavenly. 7y
45 likes2 comments
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JanuarieTimewalker13
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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☕️In The morning, coffee...must be perked with cinnamon and prepared with coconut milk and turbinado sugar. All other times of the day, tea.
💜 Slipper socks, no doubt- you'll eventually see my new bunny ones in a post...lol
🌲Balsam Fir
🍭Goldenberg's Peanut Chews in dark chocolate
📚Books and CDs...unintentionally, they just one day overtook me😉Too bad I wasn't overtaken by stocks and bonds🤓
#allaboutme2017

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mellisarock
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Life is short! Drink #coffee & stay awake for it.
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Almost finished with my #currentread #thehatinggame & I'm pulling my next read from these three books. I SHOULD go back to #thesummerthatmeltedeverything but I'm not in the right frame of mind for it.
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#qotd Do you preorder books? If so from where? #Amazon or from #publisher I'm quite curious if preorders come with any perks if bought straight from publishers.
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#booknerd #bookworm

Mdargusch Great photo. Sorry, I haven't read any of those books, so I can't give an opinion. I have Mosquitoland on my TBR too. 7y
BookFreakOut I occasionally preorder books, especially when the author is coming to a nearby store and buying from them gets you a signing ticket to the event. A lot of YA authors do preorder campaigns with goodies, but your proof of purchase can typically be submitted from any retail store/Amazon. (edited) 7y
Reviewsbylola I very rarely pre order books. I get a lot of new releases through Book of the Month and even if there is something I really want to read, I usually wait a few months because I buy it and then forget about it anyway so may as well wait until the paperback release! 7y
See All 6 Comments
emily_m_tubb I very rarely preorder, as there's never any perks. I will preorder signed copies if I think they are going to be extremely popular- I've just preordered a signed copy of Tom Hanks' book that is due out October (I think) 😁 7y
Zelma Funny. I just put down The Summer That Melted Everything too. I know I am going to love it but realized I wasn't in the right mood. 7y
96 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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elliemcc11
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
Pickpick

I really liked this tale of a Dad coming to terms with his son's autism (and dealing with the pressures of life and relationships) and the bond they formed via Minecraft. 👨‍👦

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Weave
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Pickpick

63 ~ A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart (Kindle edition📱) ~ Started: 18.06.17 ~ Finished: 18.06.17
Rating: 4/5📚

I found 'A Boy Made of Blocks' heartfelt. I loved the character of Sam, the book showed how first impressions can be wrong, people see Sam's quirks, his changes in mood, etc but they do not see the core of Sam.

Highly recommended.

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AmyLarge
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Pickpick

Just... wow.... moving, funny, well written, heart-breakingly honest about the needs of this very special, high functioning, autistic boy, and how his father learns to communicate with him.

One of the best books I've read in ages. If you like 'The Rosie Project' and 'The curious incident of the dog in the night time', or just love a good tale, choose this one.

Hard to explain why you are wiping tears away on your lunchbreak! It was that good.

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Weave
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Recent purchase ~ A Boy made of Blocks by Keith Stuart (Kindle edition?~ Q8.99 on amazon uk). I have been seeing this book for awhile & finally downloaded it. ??

Ms_T I'm looking forward to your review on this. 8y
Weave Thanks @Ms_T x 8y
5 likes2 comments
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Bambolina_81
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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I've never heard of this title or the author but it has some good reviews. For 99p in the Kindle store why not add it to my tbr?! Done 😁

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AmyLarge
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Book mail! The Christmas gift that just keeps giving... who else has read "A boy made of blocks"? Any good?

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Hannah91
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Next book! Took me a few chapters to get into this but now I cannot stop reading!!

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GatheringBooks
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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And so when in Shanghai...

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GatheringBooks
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Evening read. Loving the self-deprecating, often-tragic humour. There is a seeming ease to the writing that translates to an ease in reading. A father's account of what it's like to raise a son diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

TrishB Got this in a charity shop sale last week 😀 8y
GatheringBooks @TrishB have you started reading it yet? 8y
TrishB No - it's on the pile and hopefully will get to the top soon! 8y
19 likes1 stack add3 comments
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MelissaS
Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
Panpan

This book got a tiny bit better toward the end, but overall I found it very predictable. After reading some stellar books in January, I was a little discouraged by this choice.

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MelissaS
Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart

I'm slogging through this one. I think I'm put off by all the Minecraft play. My son is a Minecraft junkie and I read to escape...

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MelissaS
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Is there a football game on or something? I'm so much more interested in a reading bowl than a Super Bowl!

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MelissaS
Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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I mistakenly got two books that are only 7-day checkouts from my library. Hoping I can cruise through this in the next couple of days!

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Forgetmenot
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
Pickpick

What an inspiring book. A computer game can bring about such a connection between father and son and enables communication. We are so quick to make judgements about people picking out the differences but it's what connects us which is important. Very thought provoking and informative I was totally hooked

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MrsCappuccina
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Feet up and head down in this fantastic book 📚 💕

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MrsCappuccina
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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New year... new book 📚

Reviewsbylola I have this on the way to me. My 4 yo was just diagnosed with autism and coincidentally, she loves watching her dad play Minecraft! 8y
31 likes1 stack add1 comment
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MrsCappuccina
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Ordered this one today. Can't wait. Time to stalk the postie soon. 📖😊

bookishkai Grabbed this at the library last week, it looks really good. 8y
29 likes1 stack add1 comment
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NikkiA
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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Pickpick

Oh my god, this book! It's the genuinely funny, moving story of a well-intentioned but far-from-perfect dad and his autistic son. Heartfelt and sweet but never naff or sentimental; just beautifully done 💛

Alytrue Stacking this one! 8y
51 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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NikkiA
A Boy Made of Blocks | Keith Stuart
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This book has some of the best descriptions of autism I've ever come across in fiction - nuanced & complex & non-judgemental. And yes, I am totally reading at work. It's my lunch break! Stop judging 😜