A powerful and funny Own Voices story from a debut Australian writer, for fans of Simone Howell's Girl, Defective and Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl.
Kay Kerr is a former journalist and community newspaper editor from Brisbane, now living on the Sunshine Coast with her husband and daughter and working as a freelance writer. Kay was writing the first draft of Please Don’t Hug Me, her first book, when she received her own autism-spectrum diagnosis.
'This own-voices Australian debut about a young woman who is
shaped—but not defined—by her autism, balances its funny and
serious sides perfectly, and is a heartwarming read about
self-acceptance and authenticity.’
*Leanne Hall*
'This book is beautifully intimate, and so authentic. You're going
to love getting to know its central character, Erin. I'm so
thrilled this book exists.’
*Claire Christian*
'A moving and insightful story about finding your place in the
world.’
*Nina Kenwood*
'Kay Kerr is a skilful writer who deftly balances the serious and
the light in this coming-of-age narrative...This is another
exciting release in Australian young adult fiction that I can’t
wait to recommend to a host of sharp and curious minds.’
*Books+Publishing*
‘Essential reading.’
*CBCA Victoria*
‘Funny and serious.’
*West Weekend*
'It’s intimate, raw and authentic … Watching Erin grow, accept
herself, and find new friendships made my heart burst, in a way
that is so much more intense than normal.’
*Melbourne Writers Festival*
'Please Don’t Hug Me is a great read for other neurodiverse readers
looking to read a voice like theirs, or for neurotypical readers
looking to explore life from a different perspective.’
*Good Reading*
'It’s a fantastic young adult novel about grief, finding your way,
autism, being different, families and emotions. It’s all the
feels...Please Don’t Hug Me is a wonderful addition to Aussie YA
literature and will resonate with so many adolescents searching for
their identity, trying to fit in, and attempting to work out how
they want to be, and to be seen, in the world. And it is a gentle
and tender meditation on grief.’
*Cass Moriarty*
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