Whenever I go out and write a book, I have no idea how well I did. Friends are nice and they’ll always tell you that you’ve written masterpiece, but the reality is people who have no idea who I am won’t care about me but, how well did I write the book. Is it entertaining? Did I waste my money or was it worth the purchase? So far I have 3 book reviewers who have no idea who I am and I still have one pending. I will place the reviews that were given on this posting for my book “Weirdo 2.0”. AND NOW I’M AN AWARD WINNING AUTHOR! This is AMAZING!
https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/weirdo-2-0-xander-bell
https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/weirdo-2-0-xander-bell
Loved it! 😍
An eye-opening, heartfelt real story about being the weirdo and surviving the bullying and more.
SYNOPSIS
Feeling bullied at work?
Wondering if HR is talking behind your back?
I’ve walked in your shoes!
This volume as additional material about autism and other disorders.
This story chronicles my experience with a harsh boss who wanted me out. If you are a worker, teacher, parent or disabled person, I’ll give you the best options for dealing with this problem. I’ll let you know what worked and what failed. I know how you feel! My situation was so bad I almost lost my house, all because my job wanted to get rid of the Weirdo. This conflict was so enormous, that this reached all the way to the White House. An intense and vivid personal account of how I wasn’t willing to give up – and neither should you
Weirdo 2.0 by Christopher Wheat, aka Xander Bell, was not the type of book I expected it to be – and this before I even read the synopsis. The cover image and title was unusual for sure, but the book – well, the book was so realistic, and had such a personal touch.
I could relate a little bit. Wheat is an educator. He also has Asperger’s Syndrome. From what I gathered over the years, Asperger’s Syndrome is like, as Wheat explained, “highly-functioning autism.” In these pages, and through the 60,000 plus words, Wheat expresses, quite passionately and articulately his own struggle with the condition, and be accepted as a child and as an adult.
This heart-breaking, and at the same time, heart-lifting, tale begins simply with Wheat discussing a quote, “If there is no fight, there is no change.” This has almost been a mantra for his life.
“A person with Asperger’s has underdeveloped social skills and communication abilities. Some of us may have touch issues, disorganized thought processes or visual-spatial organizations, meaning we have trouble visually putting things into place” is how Wheat begins to explain the condition. Then he takes this story beyond just a book to make us aware of Asperger’s Syndrome… He pulls each one of us into his circle, sharing that what he felt could be similar to things many of us have felt as per being different – being a female, having a condition, not rich enough – from others. He talks about being bullied by coworkers and employers. And today, that is something very hard to deal with, but evidence appears daily all over the world of adults being bullied just because someone thought they were a ‘weirdo.’
Wheat encourages and inspires with this very revealing, personal account of his journey, and even though, no one would have blamed him if he had, he never gave up. And he encourages his readers to not do the same. The rawness, the honesty, the behind-the-scenes look… your eyes will be open wide, and hopefully your heart will be too.
I read this book in one sitting on a rainy Sunday. For most people in their mid-20s and above, professionals, they could do the same. It would also be a good read for a support group or a therapist could assign it for ‘homework’ with a client. Weirdo 2.0 would be a welcomed addition on a school counselor’s shelf as well.
Official Review: Weirdo 2.0 by Christopher Wheat
Post by Nkoo » 19 Sep 2020, 14:46[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of “Weirdo 2.0” by Christopher Wheat.]
3 out of 4 stars
Have you ever been bullied at work? Was the bully a colleague or your boss? How did you handle the situation? “If there is no fight, there is no change.” This is the fulcrum upon which Weirdo 2.0 by Christopher Wheat rests.
This memoir chronicles the workplace mistreatment suffered by the author as an autistic teacher. Wheat’s story is remarkable because the discrimination hinges on his Asperger’s syndrome. Asperger’s syndrome is a condition on the autism spectrum. According to Wheat, a person with Asperger’s syndrome has underdeveloped social skills and communication abilities. Some of them may have touch issues, disorganized thought processes, or visual-spatial organizations; they have trouble visually putting things in place. For their lack of communication skills, they may be loners or unwilling to participate in social functions. The author emotively captured his story in fourteen chapters.
When Wheat started his career as a professional educator in 1996, he did not envisage the magnitude of discrimination he would face fifteen years after. He did not imagine that his boss would direct the school district to do away with him by saying to them: “Get rid of the weirdo.” Wheat was one of the social studies teachers at Jane Austen High School, Puzzle city, Michigan. After fifteen years of service, the author’s employers promptly relieved him of his duties as a high school teacher. He eventually slipped into a financial crisis and he almost lost his home, but he fought back. The White House became a part of the matter. What culminated in his sack, and how did it all end?
The author wrote this orderly book in the first-person narrative. Readers will read about the overall impact the situation had on him as he desperately searched for another job. Readers will find out what sustained the author and how his family made it through the financial upheaval. Readers will also find out the ailments he now suffers as the aftermath of which he seeks treatment. Anyone who has suffered any form of discrimination would find his story relatable. Readers will feel empathy for him, just as I did. They will feel the author’s frustration because of the embarrassment he endured. The latter part of the book contains a reference section and the latest edition of the American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
The best part was that, according to the author, he wrote this book for awareness and forgiveness. Without a doubt, I believe he has achieved the intention for which he wrote this inspiring book. Readers will use his experiences and the lessons learned to help those who find themselves in similar situations. Putting an awful experience on paper will serve as a catharsis for him. Hence, this will help fulfill a therapeutic purpose and start the process of forgiveness. I also liked that he was upfront about his experiences; his honesty illuminates every line of the text. He even included excerpts from his journal concerning his ordeal to buttress his point. His writing style is conversational as he divulges details of his personal life. The author’s personality leaps from the pages of his book and grabs the reader. I also liked that he included pictures from the school to help drive home his point.
I enjoyed reading this powerful narrative; however, it contains a few instances of profanity. It does not contain any sexual content. But for the number of errors, I would have awarded this memoir the highest rating. However, I am constrained to give it three out of four stars because it is informative. I recommend it to everyone, particularly those dealing with one form of workplace discrimination or another. Autistic employees will also find it invaluable.
AMAZON REVIEW
Abby (@hiltonjenkin) 5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and introspective Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2020 I have always had issues socializing with people and that had made me an easy target to bullying for almost a decade in my school life. The experiences still define my confidence level and anxiety issues. Now that I have joined as a trainee teacher at the same institution after another decade nothing seems to have changed. A new face in the authority – similar misuse of power. This has been bothering me for a couple of months and am so lucky to have come across this book at this time.
Weirdo, is a memoir that explores Xander Bell (or Christopher Wheat, the author himself) navigating the academic sphere as an autistic teacher amidst severe bullying. But the story is not just that. It is also about how despite the adversities and all the pressure to make him quit, he did not succumb to bullying; how he fought back.
His story is really a powerful one but is told delicately. Such a fine combination to master. The writing is easy and interactive. There’s so much to introspect about your own journey while you take this one. You get to imbibe the traits of kindness, strength and confidence and grow with the author. The story is somehow relatable because the author has kept it completely honest. You’ll recognize the people in the position of leadership not from talent but from sheer-ly knowing the people in power. You’ll also recognize the author in yourself or in someone you’ve known in your school or workplace. Who you probably just decided to ignore or maybe you were complicit in the action of others. But whatever it is I’ll recommend you to read this, because what this book does above all, is make people AWARE! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will say it provided me with the helpful next steps on how to go on about it. Extremely helpful especially for people suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome.
LITERARY TITAN
Reading Christopher Wheat’s Weirdo 2.0 will make you understand how different everyone is. The author uses his condition and real-life stories to tell of his experiences as a teacher and tutor living with Asperger’s Syndrome, a condition that is now shoved under the autism umbrella. The reader gets educated on the condition and autism at large. Reading this book made me aware of how autistic people live. Christopher Wheat writes in a calm and gentle tone. You can read his sensations through the text he pens in the book. I appreciate the author for talking about some encounters that not many people would be comfortable talking about.
Stories from the classroom and in the school were intriguing to read. As a person living with a condition that is related to autism, Christopher Wheat’s experiences were a little different from others. I was not pleased reading about the bullying and mild disrespect shown by some. The author is a strong individual for penning some of his most painful experiences as such things would easily break anyone with a fragile heart. I empathized with him on many occasions but also applauded him for remaining firm and standing up for himself.
Not many people understand the world of people living with autism and related conditions. From the book, I learned that there is no better virtue than kindness. Be kind to everyone, and not just the people you know or interact with. Christopher Wheat is an excellent writer. His style of narration and way of introducing new stories is one of the best things about the author. He takes his time when explaining situations and one can tell that he is happy writing his stories. The memoir is an amazing read for people who want some encouragement and inspiration as they face day to day challenges at work. Christopher Wheat’s story is moving and motivating.
Weirdo 2.0 evokes strong emotions. Reading about the harsh boss almost brought tears to my eyes. I appreciate the author for the lessons in the book. Once you are done with this book you get to realize how ungracious the world we live in can be and why some people choose to quit without saying a word. The author however urges all to speak up no matter the situation they are in. Apart from the touching stories, I enjoyed reading about Christopher Wheat’s happy days. One can draw powerful lessons in both his professional and personal life. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy thoughtful autobiographies and uplifting real-life stories.
Literary Titan Book Award |
Congratulations! We are proud to present you with our Literary Titan Book Award. Your book was recently reviewed through our Book Review Service, with that service your book is entered into our Literary Book Award competition. Your book deserves extraordinary praise and we are proud to acknowledge your hard work, dedication, and writing talent. Start telling the world that you’re an award winning author, because we will be! Please find the book award image below. Display it proudly on your book’s cover, or anywhere else that you want to display it. You will also find an award certificate below and your book title will be listed on our award winners page. Thank you for letting us read your fantastic book. https://literarytitan.com/2020/11/03/literary-titan-book-awards-november-2020/ |
Lost in AsperWorld 