The Novel GINNY MOON a New Insight into the Mind of a Teen with Autism also Tossed in Foster Care

Benjamin Ludwig's debut novel GINNY MOON's main character is a teen with many difficulties in young life.  She's resourceful, resilient, dedicated to caring for her baby sister and she has autism.  Ginny's voice narrates her story.  She informs us "I go for part of language arts with all the other special kids because I have autism and developmental disabilities." As the reader, we understand Ginny's reasonings & struggles whereas people in her life cannot.   Patrice, her psychiatrist offers the most patience & is the most perceptive.  "Patrice understands mostly everything that I tell her.  She even understands something that I don't say."  Ginny suffered terrible abuse while living with her drug addicted birth mother Gloria.  Gloria was at times a loving parent but mostly neglectful.  She failed to provide adequate food, protection and was oftentimes volatile.  The men who came to visit her mom sexually abused Ginny.  When the police finally intervened Ginny was 9 and was placed into social services. They placed her with foster families.  Ginny developed a severe aversion to men, police and become further withdrawn.  The first foster placements were disastrous.  At 15, Ginny is placed with what she calls her forever Mom & Dad.  Ginny understands much more than given credit.  She tries desperately to convey that she fears for her "Baby Doll," her infant sister when Ginny was removed from Gloria.  "Baby Doll will suffer serious abuse and neglect which is what happened to me."  Ginny is relentless in trying to contact Gloria because no seems to understand the dire situation of the hidden infant left in Gloria's care.  Patrice finally breaks through, "I'm sorry for 5 years now you've been telling us that your real Baby Doll was a real baby and you were right."  There are parallels between GINNY MOON and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG both novels have teenage main characters with autism.   Both are incredibly tenacious & self-reliant but unfortunately Ginny's circumstances are much more harrowing & heart breaking.  The novels are paradigms for humanity and the expanse of both compassion & cruelty.  GINNY MOON takes the reader along the painful journey of an incredibly good but misunderstood young woman.  Ginny knows "I need to belong somewhere and where I am isn't anywhere at all.  I'm just a cave girl who doesn't belong.  I can't do anything right.  I can't take care of anything so I just don't belong."  Ludwig received the Clay Reynolds Prize for his novella SOURDOUGH.  In his first novel Ludwig created a fully developed character with Ginny.  We cringe with sorrow & fear and desperately want to protect her.  Ludwig & his wife have an adopted child with autism.  The writing is compelling and the story unforgettable.  GINNY MOON explores regions of the mind that are unattainable.