54 Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers: A book review

I recently stumbled upon this book at my local bookstore. The cover intrigued me, especially the title. I decided to look it up when I got home to see if I would be interested in reading it after reading the summary.

It made me want to read it even more as someone who falls under the Neurodivergent umbrella. Books like this are super important. They give us a chance to see what it's like for a fictional character to experience some of the things we neurodivergent people experience daily. This book follows Gwendolyn Rodgers or Gwen.

As she learns to navigate her life as a neurodivergent child, Gwen accidentally reads her IEP. (individualized education plan.) and creates an extensive list of things she deems wrong with her, which she read from her IEP report that was done when she was young.

Gwen believes that all these things are her fault. Gwen struggles a lot, and this book is about learning how to help herself and those around her. This story is a mystery as we try to figure out what could affect Gwen's ability to handle school and other aspects of her life. This book also explains the complex process of getting girls appropriately diagnosed and being able to get the proper treatment and accommodations.

Throughout the story, we see Gwen struggle emotionally and physically. Gwen believes she can be cured of whatever is causing her fifty-four problems. Not realizing that her issues are better than they seem. (Especially because the IEP report has been outdated for over three years.) This book explains the struggles of a child who can't get the proper help. Gwen also was afraid to get help because those around her didn't believe she had a problem. Often, some kids can understand they are different and try to reach out for help.

However, the adults around them only punish or get frustrated at them instead of trying to help them. These kids think they are a problem instead of having an issue that can be managed and treated. The importance of showing neurodiversity in media has become a massive part of our modern society. However, some problems crop up because of the stereotypes placed on different mental health conditions. (Such as OCD being neat, Autism being only for young, white males who like trains, or ADHD only being hyperactive and nothing else.

All of this is false.) After a lot of struggle, Gwen eventually finds her way and learns to accept who she is. Books like this can teach people so much about neurodiversity and how it can affect anyone around them. This book is fantastic at teaching kids about differences, and the way it explains ADHD and other mental differences is a great way to teach others—especially kids—about how everyone's minds work differently and how you might be able to help.

Gwen feels so different from everyone else, and she's jealous that other kids around her don't get in trouble like she does. Since the teachers around her don't understand her, they make her life harder, and Gwen struggles a lot. She hates that she can't remember things and that other kids can. She feels left out and lonely. Any person who is Neurodivergent can explain just how hard it is to be social and make connections because you might be awkward or uncomfortable. This book describes these details that are often overlooked. I love how this book made me feel after reading it. I loved the style of writing, the plot, and the twists and turns. There are also parts where Gwen points out some of her behaviors that are included in her list so you can better understand where she's coming from and how she's listed her behaviors. This book conveys that it's ok to be different and need help. There's no need to feel ashamed or that you can't be helped. Everyone can get help. Sometimes, you have to find a new way.