Author: M.J. Auch
Title: One Plus One Equals Blue
Pages: 272
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Date Published: April 30, 2013
Format: paperback
Source: library
Synopsis:
Twelve year-old Basil knows he’s special—he’s been associating numbers with colors since he was a kid. His gift (or curse) has turned him into somewhat of a loner, but his world begins to change when he meets Tenzie, the new girl in school who has similar freakisms. She, too, has synesthesia (a condition in which one type of stimulation evokes the sensation of another). At first, Basil is somewhat annoyed with Tenzie’s pushiness, but after Basil’s estranged mother returns, his life is turned upside down . . . and Tenzie may be the only person to help him put it back together again.
Once again, MJ Auch has written a thoughtful coming-of-age novel that explores friendship, family, and fitting in.
Title: One Plus One Equals Blue
Pages: 272
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Date Published: April 30, 2013
Format: paperback
Source: library
Synopsis:
Twelve year-old Basil knows he’s special—he’s been associating numbers with colors since he was a kid. His gift (or curse) has turned him into somewhat of a loner, but his world begins to change when he meets Tenzie, the new girl in school who has similar freakisms. She, too, has synesthesia (a condition in which one type of stimulation evokes the sensation of another). At first, Basil is somewhat annoyed with Tenzie’s pushiness, but after Basil’s estranged mother returns, his life is turned upside down . . . and Tenzie may be the only person to help him put it back together again.
Once again, MJ Auch has written a thoughtful coming-of-age novel that explores friendship, family, and fitting in.
Background
This story is about synesthesia, which is "the production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body." In this book, the kids have color-number synesthesia, where people see colors in association with certain numbers. But there are other types as well. For example, color-sound is where someone sees colors with sounds. People rarely have the same combinations, so everyone's experience with synesthesia is unique to them.
Here's an example of color-number synethesia:
Here's an example of color-number synethesia:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Review
I was walking around the library and this book pulled me to it with its cover. I decided I had to get it after seeing it was a story about a couple kids with synesthesia. I've heard of it, but never really understood it. I was pleased that I ended with a better understanding and a desire to learn more about it after reading this. Although it wasn't really the focus of this story.
Instead, it deals with the consequences of having parents who are not the best of people, and also bullying. Both of which helped me connect to the main characters, although I totally liked Tenzie more than Basil.
This wasn't at all what I expected when I grabbed teh book. I did like it, but I wish there was a bit more to it.
Instead, it deals with the consequences of having parents who are not the best of people, and also bullying. Both of which helped me connect to the main characters, although I totally liked Tenzie more than Basil.
This wasn't at all what I expected when I grabbed teh book. I did like it, but I wish there was a bit more to it.
