This is an amazing story of how an autistic fourteen year old girl who is put into the foster care system views the world. This novel really tugged at my heart strings. Benjamin Ludwig has done an excellent job of bring alive the heart and soul of an autistic child. I absolutely recommend this book as a "must read".

Interestingly told from the point of view of Ginny, a teenage girl with autism who has been adopted by her "Forever parents" but longs to go back with her abusive and drug-addicted birth mom to protect her baby sister. 
An older autistic child adopted from an abusive background certainly made for an interesting narrator and point of view. However, the adults in her life, both her birth parents and her adoptive parents did not always act in Ginny's best interest, which was maddening to this reader. Clearly she was more clever than the adults in her life, but she herself often made poor decisions. As a very quirky read, I feel this would appeal to those who have special needs people in their lives.

What an absolutely wonderful book! From the very first page, this novel had my heart. I adored Ginny. The author did such an amazing job portraying her and making her come to life. While I'm no expert in working with people with autism, from my experience interacting with them, I can say that the author's depiction was pretty spot on! And on top of being so accurate, the author also created a very unique and interesting voice for Ginny. Her story is heartbreaking and I was tense throughout the entire book, as I saw Ginny struggle to find her place. This novel isn't just about Ginny. This novel is about the concept of family and the different ways it can present itself: as an abusive mother, as an absent father who believes in forgiveness, as a foster family that is trying to maintain normalcy in a situation that defies normal. And it's beautiful and tragic and amazing to see how it all works out. I can't stop talking about how much I loved this novel and I don't want to keep repeating myself so all I will say is that this novel will touch your heart and give you an interesting perspective on the term "family". I hope everyone will give this novel a shot because it is absolutely worth the time and effort!

Benjamin Ludwig did a fantastic job of capturing Ginnie’s voice — what a brave, sad complicated (and somewhat frightening) character.  A very real, eye-opening story.

BEST BETS 
The 7 Women’s Fiction Best Bets of May 2017
SCARLETTLEIGH 

The Man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them
Mark Twain

Are you going to take advantage of this month’s list of good books? Of course, good is subjective—but every base is covered in this month’s selection. There are books to challenge the way you think; books that incorporate a sweet romance; book that are pure escapism; and books that celebrate starting over—even when the heroine of the book doesn’t think she ready for that.  Grab your favorite beverage and your sunscreen and take some advantage of some “Me” time.

The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman

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Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years—ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she’s just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work, and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she’s becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.
At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks—like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there’s that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently, being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can’t be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.
After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles botanical garden feeling out of her element. But what she’ll soon discover—with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners—is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not...
Strengths: Humorous voice; Appealing characters; Uplifting and emotionally satisfying starting over story 
Measure of Love: Teaspoon
Mood: Poignant and lighthearted
Why You Should Read this: The author captures the dichotomy of moving forward, but reluctant to let go of the past perfectly. Great combination of character growth, romance and rewarding ending!

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
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Meet Eleanor Oliphant: She struggles with appropriate social skills and tends to say exactly what she’s thinking. Nothing is missing in her carefully timetabled life of avoiding social interactions, where weekends are punctuated by frozen pizza, vodka, and phone chats with Mummy. 
But everything changes when Eleanor meets Raymond, the bumbling and deeply unhygienic IT guy from her office. When she and Raymond together save Sammy, an elderly gentleman who has fallen on the sidewalk, the three become the kinds of friends who rescue one another from the lives of isolation they have each been living. And it is Raymond’s big heart that will ultimately help Eleanor find the way to repair her own profoundly damaged one.
Smart, warm, uplifting, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is the story of an out-of-the-ordinary heroine whose deadpan weirdness and unconscious wit make for an irresistible journey as she realizes. . .
 
The only way to survive is to open your heart. 
Strengths: Atypical heroine & hero; wonderful exploration of good & bad parents; Unique storyline; Uplifting ending
Measure of Love: Dash
Mood: Poignant
Why You Should Read this: Unpredictable and engrossing! 

All the Best People by Sonja Yoerg
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Vermont, 1972. Carole LaPorte has a satisfying, ordinary life. She cares for her children, balances the books for the family’s auto shop and laughs when her husband slow dances her across the kitchen floor. Her tragic childhood might have happened to someone else.
But now her mind is playing tricks on her. The accounts won’t reconcile and the murmuring she hears isn’t the television. She ought to seek help, but she’s terrified of being locked away in a mental hospital like her mother, Solange. So Carole hides her symptoms, withdraws from her family and unwittingly sets her eleven-year-old daughter Alison on a desperate search for meaning and power: in Tarot cards, in omens from a nearby river and in a mysterious blue glass box belonging to her grandmother.
An exploration of the power of courage and love to overcome a damning legacy, All the Best People celebrates the search for identity and grace in the most ordinary lives.
Strengths: Complex characters; Compelling storytelling; Uplifting ending
Measure of Love: Dash
Mood: Poignant
Why You Should Read this: Wonderful exploration of  a taboo topic with realistic scenarios. 

The Simplicity of Cider by Amy Reichert
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Fall in love with The Simplicity of Cider, the charming new novel about a prickly but gifted cider-maker whose quiet life is interrupted by the arrival of a handsome man and his young son at her family’s careworn orchard by the author of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake and Luck, Love & Lemon Pie.

Focused and unassuming fifth generation cider-maker Sanna Lund has one desire: to live a simple, quiet life on her family’s apple orchard in Door County, Wisconsin. Although her business is struggling, Sanna remains fiercely devoted to the orchard, despite her brother’s attempts to convince their aging father to sell the land.

Single dad Isaac Banks has spent years trying to shield his son Sebastian from his troubled mother. Fleeing heartbreak at home, Isaac packed up their lives and the two headed out on an adventure, driving across the country. Chance—or fate—led them straight to Sanna’s orchard.

Isaac’s helping hands are much appreciated at the apple farm, even more when Sanna’s father is injured in an accident. As Sanna’s formerly simple life becomes increasingly complicated, she finds solace in unexpected places—friendship with young Sebastian and something more deliciously complex with Isaac—until an outside threat infiltrates the farm.
Strengths: Appealing setting; Multi-generational characters; Sweet Romance
Measure of Love: Tablespoon
Mood: Poignant & Lighthearted 
Why You Should Read this: If you in the mood for a prickly heroine, and engaging hero with an artless son then this book is a perfect fit!  

Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay by Jill Mansell
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When Clemency meets the brilliant Sam Adams, she could just about fall in love with him—if he weren't married. Three years later, Clemency has settled into her cozy home village of Cornwall to focus on her career. Everything is smooth sailing until Sam upends her entire life...by showing up as her stepsister's boyfriend.
Caught in the midst of a love triangle, Clemency has to pretend she's never met Sam...and choose between the love of her life and the bond of sisterhood.
Strengths: Multiple HEA storylines; Engaging characters; U.K. setting; HEA
Measure of Love: Tablespoon
Mood: lighthearted
Why You Should Read this: Because it is a perfect Chick-Lit escapism book. Light & humorous!  

Confessions of a Domestic Failure by Bunmi Laditan 
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There are good moms and bad moms—and then there are hot-mess moms. Introducing Ashley Keller, career girl turned stay-at-home mom who's trying to navigate the world of Pinterest-perfect, Facebook-fantastic and Instagram-impressive mommies but failing miserably.  
When Ashley gets the opportunity to participate in the Motherhood Better boot camp run by the mommy-blog-empire maven she idolizes, she jumps at the chance to become the perfect mom she's always wanted to be. But will she fly high or flop? 
With her razor-sharp wit and knack for finding the funny in everything, Bunmi Laditan creates a character as flawed and lovable as Bridget Jones or Becky Bloomwood while hilariously lambasting the societal pressures placed upon every new mother. At its heart, Ashley's story reminds moms that there's no way to be perfect, but many ways to be great.
Strengths: Sardonic Humor; Motherhood challenges; Imperfect Heroine; HEA
Measure of Love: Dash
Mood: Lighthearted
Why You Should Read this: Pure entertainment along with a great use of humor to challenge our societal expectations of motherhood. 

Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig

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Meet Ginny Moon. She’s mostly your average teenager—she plays flute in the high school band, has weekly basketball practice, and reads Robert Frost poems in English class.

But Ginny is autistic. And so what’s important to her might seem a bit…different: starting every day with exactly nine grapes for breakfast, Michael Jackson, her baby doll, and crafting a secret plan of escape.

After being traumatically taken from her abusive birth mother and moved around to different homes, Ginny has finally found her “forever home”—a safe place with parents who will love and nurture her. This is exactly what all foster kids are hoping for, right?

But Ginny has other plans. She’ll steal and lie and exploit the good intentions of those who love her—anything it takes to get back what’s missing in her life. She’ll even try to get herself kidnapped.

Told in an extraordinary and wholly original voice, Ginny Moon is at once quirky, charming, heartbreaking, and poignant. It’s a story about being an outsider trying to find a place to belong and about making sense of a world that just doesn’t seem to add up. Taking you into the mind of a curious and deeply human character, Benjamin Ludwig’s novel affirms that fiction has the power to change the way we see the world.
Strengths: Fascinating main characters; Unique insights into different type thinking;Uplifting ending
Measure of Love: N/A
Mood: Poignant and lighthearted
Why You Should Read this: While not truly women’s fiction, Ginny Moon is a fascinating character, and this book will definitely keep you turning the pages. Original and compelling read!  


http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/blogs/2017/05/best-womens-fiction-for-may#comments

It took me a long time to get through this novel. The beginning dragged a bit, and I also brought my own foster parenting baggage into it. The end was spectacular, and I am glad I stuck with it!

Thirteen year old Ginny Moon suffered horrific trauma and abuse as a child and was finally rescued and placed in foster care.  After leaving two foster care homes, she has been adopted by Brian and Maura Moon, her “Forever Parents.”  They are loving and supportive and go to great lengths to accommodate and help Ginny with her autism and developmental difficulties.  Part of helping Ginny is the establishment of specific rules and itemized lists.  Ginny likes lists and rules because they help her understand how she is supposed to behave in an often confusing and baffling world. As much as Ginny wants to build a new life with her “Forever Family,” she can’t do that until she finds her Baby Doll, and she is willing to resort to desperate measures to do that. No one understands why a baby doll is so important or why Ginny is willing to risk everything to find her, and part of the joy of the book is discovering Ginny’s motivations.

Benjamin Ludwig, the father of an adopted autistic teenage daughter, has written a novel that is so realistic and believable that it could easily be mistaken for non-fiction. His personal experiences bring an essential depth of understanding of those who have autism and their families and friends.  While the novel is not based on his own daughter, it does take inspiration from stories he heard from other parents at his daughter’s Special Olympics basketball games.  Ginny is truly an unforgettable character - smart, brave, funny, and incredibly resilient. Once the reader understands her thinking, everything she does makes perfect sense, especially her total commitment to finding her Baby Doll.  That journey and everything she does to fit in with her new family are so emotionally affecting that you won’t soon forget her.  Bravo Benjamin Ludwig for writing this memorable book and for encouraging fostering or adopting children. 

My review was posted on Goodreads on 5/21/17

I loved Ginny's character, and her Forever Dad, too. The premise is wonderful, but it took over 50% of the book to really take off and be solidly interesting. I get that the dialogue between Ginny and the adults had to be concise and simple because of her autism, but the adults conversed that way between each other, too. I felt not making use of the adult interactions to add more depth to the story was a problem. As I said in my update, it isn't very writerly writing and many of the scenes were too long.

Also, in the acknowledgements, the author said he wrote this book primarily to promote adoption of children with disabilities, but the events near the end of the story do just the opposite. Ginny's Forever Mom acted seriously out of character to push a dramatic conclusion. I had some raised eyebrows at some of the social workers non-actions throughout the story, too. Plus, they watched Ginny like a hawk at school, that is, unless there was some story drama needed and then they seemed to have no interest in why she wasn't around. It just wasn't a very well thought out, or constructed story

Ginny Moon is not your typical 14-year-old girl. She's autistic. Five years ago, she was pulled from her abusive mother's home and hospitalized for malnutrition and broken bones. In those five years, she's bounced from foster home to foster home, but she's currently living with the man and woman who could be her "forever dad" and "forever mom."

Ginny's "forever mom" is pregnant and concerned about Ginny's behavior. Ginny is too obsessed with the "Baby Doll" she was forced to leave behind when she was taken from her mom's house to think about her actions. Ginny will do whatever it takes to get her "Baby Doll" back, even if it means running away, being kidnapped, or upsetting her foster parents.

My initial thoughts on The Original Ginny Moon were clear and immediate. I felt horrible for Ginny, all she'd been through, and the complete ignorance of the adults in her life. I hated the foster mom, felt the social worker assigned to Ginny need a new career, and the teachers and teacher's aides were no better.

It drove me nuts that none of them seemed really prepared to help this autistic girl. No one stopped and listened to what she was saying. They were too concerned with themselves and their own perceptions. It aggravated me.

Despite this aggravation, I couldn't stop reading. I wanted Ginny to get an "I told you so" moment. I wanted her to get. If I was rating this story totally on Ginny, it would have a 5 out of 5. I can't go that high, however, because I found the foster mother to be almost as bad as Ginny's birth mother. For that reason, it kind of ruined sections of the story.

The author does a great job creating an autistic heroine. I just wish that the rest of the characters in the book had been a little more prepared at how to parent or counsel someone in Ginny's shoes.

Ginny Moon is 13 years old and autistic.  She has a new foster family, a history no one understands that she can’t explain, and a quirky means of meting out justice, including duct-taping your drugs to Maine coon cats, flushing your socks down the toilet, and pooping on your rug (hiding some of the poop in the heat register for good measure).  Told from Ginny’s first-person perspective, this is a unique novel that is funny, scary, and ultimately satisfying.

This book was a surprise for me. It was an impulsive pick after reading a quick excerpt from in it one of the Buzz Books samplers. Upon receipt, I promptly forgot why I was so excited for it and it got pushed down the TBR. I finally picked it up in my post ACOWAR haze because I needed a non-romance, non-fantasy book. I almost exclusively read romance & fantasy, so I didn't have many options on my list.

IT WAS GOOD. 

From the first page, I instantly remembered why I had requested this book. Ginny is such a unique voice in the book world. Her point of view is captivating and seeing the world from where she stands was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I was entranced to say the least, and finished the book within 12 hours of picking it up. I got emotional at points and desperately wanted to save Ginny from herself. I both empathized with and hated her "Forever Mom". I understood where she was coming from in that protective new mom focus but wished she was stronger in her dedication to Ginny. I couldn't look away from this book. I wanted to save Ginny and her Baby Doll.

This is a beautifully written story about a young girl and her quest to find a place she can call home.  Because she is autistic, with an abusive back story, this novel was at times heartbreaking as misunderstandings and mis-communications occur between Ginny and her "Forever Parents", as the reader can see what she means before the parents understand.  I found myself having empathy for the parents but really feeling the frustration that Ginny felt as people kept brushing off what she was trying to communicate.  I highly recommend this book!

GINNY MOON by Benjamin Ludwig is a must read book. I try not to say that very often and this debut novel is certainly uncomfortable to read at the beginning, but I became so enamored with the characters that I simply could not stop.   New Hampshire English and writing teacher Benjamin Ludwig was at The Book Stall last Wednesday afternoon (May 3rd) and I am really sorry to have missed that discussion about this story of an autistic teenage girl in a foster family.

It has been almost 5 years since Ginny Moon, then nine, was removed from an abusive and neglectful situation with her Birth Mother, Gloria.  Since then she has been in several foster homes and may have found her Forever Home with Maura and Brian who are expecting a child.  In an effort to help Ginny adjust to a sibling, she is given a plastic electronic baby, but it will not stop crying and Ginny wants her Baby Doll instead, obsessing over finding Gloria and making sure that her Baby Doll is safe.   

GINNY MOON is a coming of age story that is full of suspense and action as well as troubled relationships and several well-intentioned blunders and misunderstandings. In creating these situations and Ginny's internal monologues, Ludwig aptly draws on his own experience as a foster parent of a teen with autism.  I, too, see Ginny in some of my students - in their sheer determination and certainness of purpose, their tendency to interpret most comments literally, and their sense of trust and wonder.  I am looking forward to sharing this book with teachers and students.  I think that our book group and class literature circles would benefit from reading and reflecting together on the title.  In addition, we should add it to our Junior Theme list. GINNY MOON received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal and Publishers Weekly; plus it is an Amazon Best Book of the Month for May and almost fifty percent of its ratings on Goodreads are 5 stars. Clearly, I am not the only one to say GINNY MOON is a must read book. 

Link in Post: http://www.thebookstall.com/event/benjamin-ludwig-book-stall

I've been telling everyone about this book. A dear friend's daughter has autism and I finally understand her everyday struggles and experiences with her daughter. Ginny had a maturity about her that I had to keep reminding myself that she's only 14. 

There were times I found myself frustrated with Ginny's obsession about being kidnapped but I was so proud of her decision in the end.

I’m so glad I got the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Original Ginny Moon.  Ginny is a wonderful character on the autism spectrum, and I enjoyed hearing her voice as narrator.  The book had a great mix of humor, suspense and drama.  I flew through the book, anxious to see what would happen.  I think it helped me appreciate the lives of those with autism and to admire people who choose to adopt older children with problems.  The characters were realistically complex; all of them had flaws and good points.  I’m glad that the bad events in Ginny’s life were only alluded to; it made it much more pleasant to read.  The reader knows enough to appreciate how Ginny evolved.   This would be a great selection for book discussion groups.  I highly recommend this beautifully written book.

Ginny Moon is an unforgettable character. Why would a 14 year old Autistic girl want to leave her forever family and go back to her single Mom in terrible living conditions? The answer will touch your heart , give you a few laughs and take you on an unforgettable adventure with the wonderful Ginny. I could not wait to get to the end buy yet was sad when I finished . You won't want to leave this character. A stunning brilliant debut novel

4+ stars. I'm having a good reading streak these days, and Ginny Moon is right up there. Ginny is an autistic 14 year old. She now lives with her "forever parents", but she used to live with her birth mother Gloria. There is a history of abuse with Gloria, but things aren't perfect with Ginny's adoptive family either. The story is told entirely from Ginny's point of view. I don't know if Ludwig has done a realistic job of portraying the inner workings of Ginny's mind, but he's created a fabulous character. I completely fell for her. Her inner logic made perfect sense to me, although it was clearly challenging to the people around her. At its core, Ginny's story is upsetting, but it is told with some humour and a lot of heart. Recommended to anyone who likes books told from a child's perspective. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

I absolutely loved The Original Ginny Moon! And I loved the character Ginny Moon! I have been a teacher and librarian for 30 years and I recognized and taught many "Ginny Moons" over the years. 
Ginny is definitely her own person with her many quirks, obsessions, and rituals. She has had a very difficult life, but ends up with her forever mom and dad and things are wonderful for awhile ...until her forever mom has a baby. Ginny has a complicated relationship with babies.
I loved reading this well-written story and highly recommend it.

Well, this was a lovely one. I really enjoyed meeting Ginny. This character felt so real.
Before I read this I had some idea of what autism was but I think I had only come across the most extreme cases so I did not really know it was possible to live with this condition and still make a fairly normal life, though obviously restricted.

Ginny only replies to people when there is actually a question, she does not answer if she is asked more than one at a time, she absolutely hates being interrupted, and she will take everything you tell her literally. And she has an outstanding memory.

For the most part I was engrossed in the story but I have to admit after a while the book dragged on a bit for me because Ginny’s quirks are so often repeated and it gets tiresome. Still, there is plenty of tension, with plenty of stuff happening around Ginny that she does not grasp because she is so focused on getting to her Baby Doll.

There is a sensitivity, tenderness and realness to this book that I really appreciated.
Recommended.

Disclaimer: I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Ginny Moon was removed from an abusive home five years ago and placed in foster care with broken bones and malnourished, constantly asking for the Baby Doll she left behind in a suitcase.  She has been in multiple foster homes since and is now with her Forever Parents in the Blue House preparing for the arrival of a new Forever Baby Sister.  Ginny is autistic but highly verbal and reasonably social, she attends a special school and Special Olympics.  With the arrival of the new baby, Ginny becomes obsessed with finding her Baby Doll and there her trials and tribulations begin.  The story hinges upon the flexibility of the adoptive parents, the school officials and the patient therapist who try to figure out what Ginny is trying to accomplish while she attempts to contact her birth mother.  The book provides insight into all of the characters' thoughts and feelings while always keeping Ginny front and center.  She is a remarkable protagonist:  charming, headstrong, lovable and determined.  She is a young teen not easily forgotten and beautifully rendered on the page by the author.  The story itself is wonderful, part mystery, part family saga;  it is difficult to put down once begun.  I read it in one sitting and loved it.  I received my copy from the publisher through NetGally.