Books with author Laura Lea Smith

Samantha Parker-Sam to everyone she knows -is an active nine-year-old with a colorful imagination. She lives with her self-absorbed mother, Jillian, and "Gommy," her grandmother, though it is Gommy who has raised Sam. When tragedy strikes, however, Jillian and Sam must find the means to bridge the gap between mother and daughter. With Gommy's gentle guidance and the help of an old quilt, they open themselves up to the power of prayer. In doing so, Sam and Jillian discover that loss can be overcome and that second chances really do exist.

This book is a composition of powerful, poignant and perceptive poems that depict life on the autism spectrum. Written by a young person with High Functioning Autism, the poems reflect on her school and college years, capturing sadness at being marginalised as well as appreciation for the people who supported her.The poems provide important insights on the difficulties that people on the autism spectrum face, including deep anxiety and developing social relationships. Although 1 in 100 people have this condition, as it affects everyone differently, it is often misunderstood and ignored.Lauren’s book adds to the calls for perception of autism to be widened, encouraging a positive and informed attitude towards those with this complex condition.