Dolphins Dance

Jutta Goetze (author)

Black Dog Books, Australia: 2000; 114pp

ISBN: 1876372028

Genres: realistic fiction

Issues: autism, differences, disability, family, mainstreaming, special needs

Ali's younger brother, Max, has autism. Ali loves Max and wants to be part of his life, for him to experience all the wonder and pleasure of hers - to have friends, to feel happy, to feel safe, to play and swim and do all the things that she can do.

There are ways to help Max relate better to the world around him, but most of the time it seems as if he is shut in his own world, oblivious to those around him and how his behaviour can make them feel. When Max is old enough to go to school, Ali is very worried. Her schoolmates already tease her about her 'retarded' younger brother when they see her chasing after him. How will they react when Max is there at school, all day every day? Will they be kind to him? Will they frighten him? Will they understand that Max learns differently to them? How can she help them understand, without hurting herself or Max?

This quite remarkable novel is based on the real life experiences of two families. Many novels that deal with 'issues' such as divorce or intellectual impairment lose their narrative drive in the author's attempt to 'educate' the reader. Dolphins Dance, however, is quite the opposite. By drawing heavily on the real human beings behind the characters, Goetze creates a convincing and moving story. Intelligent writing takes the reader into the heart of a loving family that has been changed forever by Max's arrival.

Powerful and moving, without romanticising a difficult condition or forcing an unrealistic conclusion, Dolphins Dance is an outstanding piece of writing.