Hugo has a problem, actually, he has a few, but the main one is loneliness. He used to have two really close friends, Julie and Alex, but that's changed and he doesn't understand why. Hugo is autistic and finds the world a noisy, bright, and confusing place; he likes order, rules, and velcro shoe fastenings.

Another of Hugo's favourite things are maps, just like the lady at the library. She tells him all about the subterranean landscape beneath the streets of his Parisian home and he decides he needs to go there by himself as soon as possible. Nothing in the tunnels will be quite as he imagined but his biggest surprise, when he finally ventures underground, is who goes with him. As they explore the unknown  their discoveries take them on a far more exciting and dangerous journey than any of them thought possible.

Isabelle Marinov's first YA novel, beautifully written from Hugo's pov is overall positive and uplifting but also, reading it as the grandma of three boys with autism, heart wrenchingly sad. The author's descriptions of Hugo's gradual awareness of how to help himself gives the storyline a hopefulness but, seen alongside the problems and misunderstanding he regularly faces, shows just how difficult everyday life is for him.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed this very much, and feel it has given me a different perspective on autism and how it is viewed. Highly recommended.

I loved the premise of this book and it was delivered really well. I actually loved everything about it from the story itself, to the characters and the setting. A really enjoyable middle grade read.

An adventure novel of about a 12 year old boy with autism and his quest to discover where he belongs in the world.

Great for fans of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and readers aged 9-12.