Although Katie Clawson's summer vacation is winding down, she looks forward to going back to school and becoming a fifth grader. Then, just days before Labor Day, a letter arrives with news that fills her mind with worry: her class will be noticeably different from her best friend Melissa's. But changes can be for the better, as Katie s mother explains. Since her new classroom will have two teachers, kids with special needs will be able to learn alongside their typical peers. On the first day of school, Katie feels lonely without Melissa and her old classmates around, and she tries to befriend the girl sitting next to her. Unfortunately, Brianna s autism makes it difficult for them to have a conversation. With encouragement from Mr. Appleton, one of her teachers, Katie uses a special way to talk to Brianna and discovers they have more in common than meets the eye. Included with the story is a guide containing cooperative reading and communication activities for typical kids and their peers with autism.

""The Thursday Surprise" is an excellent story to use with neurotypical children who will have a classmate with autism or for students who will be participating in a peer-to-peer program. This story illustrates how children with autism are individuals and that multiple approaches need to be used in schools. It also shows the joy when a child on the spectrum opens up and lets someone into his or her world."--Sue Ladach, Autism Spectrum Disorder Teacher.