Spider Stevens and Trey Cooper have lived next door to each other their entire lives. Their houses are on the odd-numbered side of Maple Street, which seems just about right. Because Trey Cooper is a little odd himself. It didn't matter when they were little kids --- you know, way back in second grade. And it doesn't matter so much when they're at home on Maple Street. That's just Trey being Trey. But it matters in the fifth grade. The whole class thinks Trey is weird. Does that mean Spider has to turn his back on his oldest friend? "Along Came Spider is remarkable for its accurate and sympathetic portrayal of Asperger Syndrome, a real-life condition that's being diagnosed more and more among boys lately." ---Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Preller adeptly portrays the psychological and social dynamics of this age group, and Trey is realistic and sympathetic as a misfit . . . The pressures Spider feels from his peers to belong and conform will resonate with middle-grade readers." ---Kirkus Reviews "By regularly switching points of view, Preller gives readers a chance to see the situation from each boy's angle and to consider the central insight that differences aren't always as important as they seem." ---Booklist