THE TURING MACHINISTS

At seventeen, Del’s world seems to be falling apart. He’s managed his Asperger’s well, has a solid group of friends in his special needs class at school, and even manages to get by among people who don’t understand his brand of communication. But his parents are splitting up, and Del is certain he can save his family.

To do it, he decides he needs to live out his father’s dream of musical stardom. He gets together with some of his friends and they form The Turing Machinists, an all-Asperger’s rock band. But they’ll need help – and Del seeks that help in the form of his neighbour, a reclusive rock legend who would rather have nothing to do with the music scene.
Can six autistic teens who can't work as a group, perform in front of strangers or even take a bus (or, for drummer Wesley, make it through a meal without vomiting) hope to succeed as a rock band? The coming together of the band helps Del conquer his stutter, make friends for the first time and find a way to connect with Petula, the cute, angry autistic girl for whom he pines.

M.E. Reid is the mother of two children with autism (one with Asperger?s). The Turing Machinists is her first book for young adults - she previously published two adult novels.