The speaker, Evelyn, is a young girl from Florida with a unique set of interests and skills. She was born into a family who had given up hope of having a child. Evelyn's parents were amazed by her intelligence, as she crossed milestones faster than other kids her age. However, as she grew older, her parents noticed that she was different from other kids. She preferred solitude, was obsessed with disassembling and reassembling machines, and didn't like sharing her things.
Evelyn's uniqueness led to challenges at school, where she struggled to fit in. She had difficulty with change and didn't like it when her routine was disrupted. For example, when her family went on a holiday to Paris, Evelyn was upset because they didn't follow the same timetable as at home. Despite these difficulties, Evelyn found a friend in Alyssa, who appreciated her for who she was.
When Evelyn was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, she was initially confused about what it meant. However, she understood that it meant she processed information differently from others and that she would need to learn ways to manage her emotions better.
As Evelyn grew older, she continued to stand up for herself and her beliefs. For example, she defended a new girl in her class from an older boy who was bothering her. This act of bravery led to her first real friend, Alyssa. Despite some initial changes in Alyssa's appearance and behavior, Evelyn remained her friend.
Evelyn's life took a turn when she won a spot at a science summer camp for young geniuses. After returning home, she missed Alyssa, who had changed even more. Alyssa became friends with famous boy band singers Jamie and Lyle, and Evelyn felt left out.
Evelyn's passion for science and her intelligence were showcased when she created a machine that converted cigarette smoke into a less offensive smell. This invention led to her winning first prize at the school's science fair.
Despite the challenges she faced, Evelyn remained strong and continued to pursue her interests. She stood up for herself and for what she believed in. In the end, she not only won the science fair but also gained a new friend in Jamie, who appreciated her for who she was.
Here are some key facts from the text:
1. Evelyn was born 12 years after her parents had given up hope of having a kid.
2. Evelyn was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome when she was in second grade.
3. Evelyn made her first friend, Alyssa, when she was in sixth grade.
4. Evelyn was selected for a science summer camp for young geniuses in ninth grade.
5. Evelyn had a falling out with Alyssa and Jamie, two famous boy band singers who joined her school.
6. Evelyn punched Lyle, another boy band singer and Alyssa's boyfriend, after he broke her science project.
7. Evelyn won first prize at the science fair with her machine that converts cigarette smoke to fart smell.
8. Jamie quit the band and asked Evelyn to help him with his solo songs.