Book review: The Unbreakable Boy: journey of a family that lasts the distance
May 6, 2025
Visual taken from book cover of Unbreakable Boy
Exposure’s autistic author, Max Ferreira reads about a couple raising a child with special needs while keeping intact
Some books I’ve reviewed previously, The Reason I Jump and A Kind of Spark came from the life and experiences of young people with autism. But a new non-fiction book I discovered is the story through the eyes of a father with an autistic son: The Unbreakable Boy.
Written by Scott Michael LeRette and Susy Flory in 2014, The Unbreakable Boy tells the adventures of The LeRette family’s bumpy journey. This is after Scott and wife Teresa give birth to a son called Austin who has brittle bone disease called osteogenesis imperfecta, alongside autism, a lifetime learning difficulty that makes young people see and think the world differently.
In each chapter Scott describes family life with wife Teresa, Austin and his young brother Logan. Scott also talks about trying to work out Austin’s behaviour, as well as understanding himself.
What I liked about The Unbreakable Boy is how it highlights the triumphs, setbacks and surprises involving Austin, as he gets older in life. Scott shares his feelings of being a father of two boys and how he and his wife have overcome many obstacles since they met.
Despite many incidents and uncomfortable situations, Austin doesn’t let his autism and bone condition hold him back. For example, Austin likes to express himself by wearing colourful hats while making connections with people he meets. On one occasion, Austin describes having a strawberry milkshake at a burger restaurant as the best day of his life.
Having faith, acceptance and guidance the family are able to succeed, gaining valuable life lessons along the way
In a recent interview, Scott described his book, saying, “It looks at marriage, addiction, suicide, mental health, special needs, parenting. It’s all in there.”
Like for any other family it’s not always easy going through everyday life, raising children. But for the LeRette family, having a child with a learning difficulty and a health condition, they face unique challenges adjusting to and understanding Austin’s behaviour. Having faith, acceptance and guidance they are able to succeed in family life, gaining valuable life lessons along the way.
Since The Unbreakable Boy was published it has been well received by readers. Author Joanne Kraft said, “No matter how hard our journey is or how big the pain we suffer the truest definition of the word ‘unbreakable’ is a family who loves one another and leans on God together.”
New York Times writer Susy Flory, who helped Scott with his book, said, “Thank you for trusting me with your story. You’re an incredible father, husband and human being. Your story is going to help a lot of people, and that’s what this is all about.”
The book was even adapted into a feature film, starring Zachary Levi (Scott), Jacob Laval (Austin), Meghann Fahy (Teresa) and Gavin Warren (Logan). See the trailer below.
Overall, I found The Unbreakable Boy informative, interesting and inspirational. It was a good read, learning about the adventures of raising a child with autism and a brittle bone disease, from a parent’s point of view.
As a young person with autism I understand what the LeRette family went through the challenges and emotions of having a child with complex needs. I recognised how my own family, working with my autism, have managed to remain strong as I’ve grown older.
I highly recommend this book to help young people who have a friend or family member with autism, learning difficulties and complex health needs, to see how to handle everyday tasks and situations.
