I've been wanting to read this one for a while and actually ended up winning a copy in a Twitter competition which clearly I am very grateful for. What an amazing read - in the 'all the favourites' folder instantly.

An absolute gem: slice-of-life, diverse, an easy but deep touching read.

Alex, the main character is autistic. Living in Australia and about to make the transition to secondary school, he desperately wants to have a friend. And PAWS, the dog show, seems like the perfect way to do it. What better way of making friends than winning a trophy, right?

This is a wonderful little story that explores what friendship means, true to life family dynamics, and pet ownership, all specifically through the narration of an autistic boy.

This is one of very few children's books I have found narrated by an autistic child and written by an autistic author.
The first helped me to get my own diagnosis. This one, helped me to finally define a friend.
My whole life I have struggled to say that I have 'friends', because I've never truly been able to define what makes someone an acquaintance, a friend, or more. These words, this story, felt like it was written in a language I could finally read; a Eureka moment of understanding in my autistic brain. I felt seen, I felt understood, and now I understand.

I cannot wait to share this with other autistic (and allistic) children, and maybe help them to find that much sooner than I did. And even if not, to go on an beautiful journey of discovery with Alex and Kevin.

What a journey! I absolutely loved this book, and I'm so happy to see more main characters with disabilities where the point of the story is self acceptance and understanding over 'conquering'' or 'correcting'. Stories centring the disabled child rather than an inspirational story for their non-disabled friend or family member.

Whilst I do not have a stammer, I am autistic and have selective mutism as well as physical and verbal tics. Lily touched my heart far more than I had first expected. The very close representation of my own experiences with public speaking, mixed with Conway's simple yet morish writing style was a winner for me.

I found myself fully immersed in the battles Lily was facing; whether at home with her separated family, at school with the bullies and class projects, or her internal war of self-disgust. The narrative flowed so well that when I looked up for a drink I realised I'd devoured half of the book without noticing.

I also adored the chapter headers! Each chapter has a beautiful little illustration of a hedgehog as well as a fact about them that realates to Lily at that point of her story. Watching her grow and the facts fit her actions or thoughts - such a genius idea.

I will definitely adding this to my list of books for the school library. Another to the all time favourites pile!