Temple Grandin

Author and naturalist Sy Montgomery’s Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World (2012) is a biography of the animal behaviorist, animal rights advocate, and autism activism Temple Grandin. The biography is intended for young adult readers and discusses Grandin’s life from early childhood to the present day. It explores the challenges she faced with autism, the development of her creativity and her passion for animals, and the persistence she exhibited while pursuing her career. Montgomery also discusses aspects of autism, including stereotypes about it. Temple Grandin’s passion, persistence, and innovative thinking make her an example of what a person with autism is capable of.

This guide uses the 2012 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt edition of Temple Grandin. In discussing the book and its theme, this guide makes references to topics including autism, intellectual disabilities, mental illnesses, bullying, violence, and animal cruelty. Terms that are considered offensive to persons with intellectual disabilities may be quoted in this guide, but do not imply that SuperSummary endorses the use of these terms.

Summary

The biography begins shortly after Grandin’s birth in Massachusetts. Her parents quickly realized that their child was different because she did not like to be embraced, was very slow to speak, was prone to tantrums, was easily overstimulated, and exhibited other notable behaviors.