Upward Bound by Woody Brown

January 24, 2026

Upward Bound by Woody Brown

Upward Bound is a rundown daycare facility for young disable adults, not exactly a place where most people want to spend time. Walter is a nonverbal autistic adult who spends his days at the daycare center observing others. They are supervised by a group of disinterested caregivers waiting to return to college or to move on to something else, who organize activities for the attendees when they can be bothered to stop analyzing their favorite reality television shows.

A remarkable short novel by a nonverbal autistic writer. Written in interlocking chapters that form a narrative, each section focuses on a different client or employee at a daycare facility for adults with autism and other disabilities. A look at a set of experiences and a world that is hidden from most of us.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.