Canaries Among Us - by Kayla Taylor (Paperback)

About the Book

An urgent exposé revealing the most widespread yet little acknowledged threat to child well-being: lack of acceptance. This daring memoir not only uncovers the truth about how our schools and communities treat unique children but also provides meaningful insights for a more dignified future, through the lens of Taylor's own experiences raising a neurodiverse child.

Book Synopsis

"riveting ... powerful ... brilliant ... necessary" --Kirkus Reviews

For those drawn to both Tara Westover's moving account of a difficult childhood and Susan Cain's research on underappreciated traits ... Canaries Among Us reveals the exquisite joy and tender heartache inherent in raising a child who is undervalued by a community.

A lifeline to those struggling with learning differences, bullying, and anxiety, Canaries Among Us explores one of the most widespread threats to child well-being: a lack of acceptance. This heart-rending exposé provides a candid view of the ways unique children are regularly misunderstood and mistreated. Fortunately, through raw storytelling and ground-breaking science, Taylor points to an inspirational alternative: supporting, and even celebrating, the dazzling variety of our humanity.

The author is donating her profits to organizations promoting mental health, neurodiversity, and bullying prevention.

Note: This book was previously subtitled "A Mother's Quest to Honor her Child's Individuality in a Culture Determined to Negate It."

Review Quotes

"Canaries Among Us is a masterpiece ... a poignant, urgent, and important story that has yet to be told and needs to be heard. I recommend it to everyone involved in raising or educating children."
--Rosalie Whitlock, CEO of the Children's Health Council

"This book should be required reading for educators, caregivers, and health providers alike. The thought-provoking and relatable story will hopefully raise awareness around the devastating consequences of bullying and the necessity of respecting children's individuality and inherent dignity."
--Rosalind Wiseman, author of Queen Bees & Wannabes

"For any parent who has worried their child does not fit in or who has battled with a school to do what is right for a child, this amazing book will heal your soul while offering important strategies, insights, and even several smiles along the way."
--Jo Boaler, Stanford, author of Limitless Mind, Co-Founder of youcubed.org

"This is an important book with essential messages for all of us ... Let's hope that [it] helps to open up the discussion in order to affect some change in our society."
--Booktrib

"Overall, this is a powerful book that offers a brilliant exposé of how, even after the rise of anti-bullying efforts, enforcement remains a challenge, and it illustrates what happens when anti-bullying efforts are finally honored . . . A necessary book on the intersections of neurodivergence and bullying."
--Kirkus Reviews

"The courage to put this story on paper should not be overlooked ... Taylor addresses so many noteworthy things ... includ[ing] the importance of inclusion, diversity, and how to protect children who are vulnerable. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to all parents [and] educators. Everyone can benefit from a better understanding of [each] other's differences."
--San Francisco Book Review (5/5 Stars)

"Taylor powerfully highlights America's bias against neurodiversity in this heartfelt and sensitive debut ... Parents will be swept into Taylor's story, experiencing the family's pain and eventual triumphs alongside them, and some may even recognize their own biases and contributions to school bullying in the process."
--Booklife by Publisher's Weekly (Editor's Pick)

About the Author

Kayla Taylor writes to address important issues plaguing families, and she uses a pseudonym to protect the identities of minor children. She is donating her profits from the first edition of Canaries Among Us to organizations promoting mental health, neurodiversity, and bullying prevention.