Living with Adi by Zarin Virji – Neurodiverse Middle Grade Fiction

Living with Adi is a moving, relatable Neurodiverse Middle Grade Fiction about acceptance, love, and the unexpected joys.

Synopsis

Adi Krishnan is different!
He is a bright student, who loves to read, and remembers everything down to the smallest details—yet he has no friends. His unusual view of things makes his classmates and teachers regard him as a weirdo.
Will the bullying ever end? Will people accept him as he is? Will he gain the respect of others, especially his dad?
Award-winning author Zarin Virji creates the extraordinary journey of an ordinary boy, narrated by him, his family, classmates and a teacher. And how, despite the challenges, living with Adi is, in fact, unexpected, delightful and funny.

Review

Living with Adi is a heartwarming and realistic middle-grade novel set in post-COVID Mumbai, following Adi, a neurodivergent child who navigates daily challenges at home and school. The story, told from multiple perspectives, provides a nuanced look at Adi’s world and the lives of those around him.

Adi, diagnosed on the autism spectrum, is highly intelligent but struggles in social situations. Sensitive to noise, change, and touch, he is often misunderstood and even punished at school, where bullying exacerbates his difficulties. Adi’s love for learning and his passion for snake facts bring warmth to his character, and his genuine care for family and friends shines through, even for those who don’t always treat him well.

I felt deeply for Adi throughout the book. As a parent of a child with ADHD, though lower on the ASD spectrum and somewhat different from Adi, I could relate to his social struggles. Reading Adi’s inner thoughts and witnessing his challenges made his journey even more touching and personal for me.

I connected strongly with Adi’s mother, Delna, a devoted and resilient parent who has fought tirelessly to support Adi, even at the cost of her marriage. Her ongoing conflict with her ex-husband over Adi’s upbringing felt true to life. I admired her for accepting her ex-husband’s new family and advocating for Adi’s needs, especially in a school system that often failed to understand him.

Shirin, Adi’s grandmother, occasionally made insensitive remarks, reflecting the generational and cultural gap in understanding ASD. Yet she stood by her daughter and showed a love that, despite misunderstandings, helped her family. Jasmine, Adi’s older sister, was my favorite character; her bond with Adi was cozy and comforting, and she remained his biggest cheerleader while balancing her own life and compromises.

The novel sheds light on the lack of awareness around ASD in India’s schools and society, which often leads to bullying, misunderstanding, and insensitivity, even within families. Adi’s resilience in the face of such challenges is a testament to his family’s unwavering love, empathy, and support, showing how vital a compassionate home environment is for a neurodivergent child’s well-being.

What I loved most is realistic portrayal of having neurodivergent kid in family that caused as much all ups and downs as the kid himself faced in life and yet they all had compassion and empathy in them that gave Adi what he needed most, love, understanding, and support.

While the story highlights obstacles, it ends on a hopeful note, suggesting a future where greater awareness and understanding can make life easier for kids like Adi.

Overall, Living with Adi is a moving, relatable Neurodiverse Middle Grade Fiction about acceptance, love, and the unexpected joys. Highly recommended for anyone who has ever felt like they don’t quite fit in.

What to Expect in Living with Adi–

Insight into Neurodivergence
Heartfelt Family Dynamics
Multiple Perspectives
School and Social Challenges for ASD kids
Cultural Context
Emotional Depth and Relatability
Educational and Awareness-Raising
Hopeful Conclusion

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

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