Now in paperback! Award-winning author Jodi Carmichael, who has ADHD herself, affirms and celebrates those who struggle with their uniqueness and triumphantly discover its gifts

It isn’t easy being Louisa Elizabeth Fitzhenry-O’Shaughnessy—especially with dyslexia. She prefers Lou Fox, the dream name she’ll use one day as a famous Broadway playwright. In the meantime, Lou is stuck in fifth grade with Mrs. Snyder, a total Shadow Phantom of a teacher who can spot a daydream from across the room but doesn’t know anything about ADHD. Mrs. Snyder’s constant attention is ex-cru-ci-a-ting. If only she would disappear.

Fortunately, life isn’t all a-tro-cious. There’s The Haunting at Lakeside School, the play Lou is writing and directing for her two best friends. And soon she’ll be a big sister at last. Nothing could ruin the joy of those things…right?

“In Lou Fox, Carmichael has created a refreshing, believable, and fun-loving protagonist.…Prepare to fall in love with Lou Fox and her supportive cast of family, friends, and teachers.”—School Library Journal

“The book…strikes an excellent balance between acknowledging the that hardships disabilities bring and making it clear that disabilities do not define people—they can even be strengths.…Both humorous and melancholy, The U-nique Lou Fox is a touching novel about a young playwright’s self-discovery and creative triumphs.”—Foreword Reviews

Jodi Carmichael is a multi-award-winning author and a champion for the underdog and for kids who think differently. Like Lou in The U-nique Lou Fox, Jodi has ADHD and celebrates the creativity, empathy, and adventurousness it brings to her life. Her other books include the YA novel Forever Julia which won The Manitoba Book Award and the Bronze Moonbeam Award, the middle-grade novel Family of Spies: Paris, and the chapter book Spaghetti Is Not a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons, which won the Silver Moonbeam Award and the Silver Benjamin Franklin Award. Jodi lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba with her family.

Jodi Carmichael's profile page

• Nominated, Red Cedar Book Award Nominee
• Nominated, MYRCA Sundogs Award Nominee

Praise for The Unique Lou Fox

2023/24 Red Cedar Book Award Nominee

2024 MYRCA Sundogs Award Nominee

2022 School Library Journal “12 Books for Kids and Tweens That Celebrate Neurodiverse Minds” feature

2022 School Library Journal “Great Minds Don’t Think Alike” feature

Fold Kids 2022 Winter Reading List Selection

2022 The Children’s Book Council “August: Hot Off the Press” feature

49^th Shelf “New Fall 2022 Books” feature

“In Lou Fox, Carmichael has created a refreshing, believable, and fun-loving protagonist who will be a welcome addition to library shelves…the book flows at a cheerful, bouncing pace…Prepare to fall in love with Lou Fox and her supportive cast of family, friends, and teachers. Recommended for fiction collections.”—School Library Journal

“A spirited and creative wannabe playwright in Winnipeg navigates grade 5 with dyslexia and ADHD… A strong neurodiverse protagonist…”—Kirkus Reviews

“Pulling from her own experience with ADHD, Carmichael…deftly captures the imaginative protagonist’s internal struggle….this touching book with an arc toward self-acceptance demonstrates the importance of accommodation and classroom support.”—Publishers Weekly

“In this story Louisa Elizabeth Fitzhenry-O’Shaughnessy wants to be a writer, but has to deal with things like a teacher who simply doesn’t understand what having ADHD actually means. Fortunately, Lou has a lot of good coping techniques and the book takes time and attention to display these.”—School Library Journal, Fuse 8

“The books also strikes an excellent balance between acknowledging the hardships that disabilities bring and making it clear that disabilities do not define people—they can even be strengths... Both humorous and melancholy, The U-nique Lou Fox is a touching novel about a young playwright’s self-discovery and creative triumphs.”— Foreword Magazine

“Jodi Carmichael has written a solid middle-grade novel that gives a good picture of what kids with learning disabilities have to deal with…the writing is great and the story is compelling.”—Portland Book Review

“The storyline is adaptable to middle school and upper elementary…The author also has ADHD and addresses the day-to-day difficulties of living with a learning disability”—Children’s Literature–CLCD

“Appreciate those close to you. The author is able to evoke empathy for Louisa, as she becomes overwhelmed by the challenges faced every day...This book became more than I expected, and I highly recommend you give it a shot.”—YA Books Central

“This book is amazing. I could really feel what Lou was feeling…I couldn’t put it down until the end. I recommend it!”—The International Educator

“I hope that every Louisa in every classroom gets an opportunity to read or listen to The U-nique Lou Fox. It will be wonderful for all Louisas to have their uniqueness recognized and affirmed. Highly Recommended”—CM Magazine

“Everything about The U-nique Lou Fox is fantastic…This story exudes kindness and generosity and is a must have for classrooms and school libraries. It’s time for more stories about neuro-atypical children.”—Storytime with Stephanie

“This is a fabulous children’s novel! Not only is it written about a main character with dyslexia, but it was printed with consideration for readers with dyslexia… There were also parts of this story that are universal…The U-nique Lou Fox is a great middle grade story!”—Jill’s Book Blog