Children's Book 'Boku no Iu Koto wo Kikanai Boku' Depicting the Struggles of a Protagonist with Tourette's Syndrome and Bonds with Friends to be Released

Poplar Publishing Co., Ltd. will release 'Boku no Iu Koto wo Kikanai Boku' (written by Rinako Shibano, illustrated by Ikumi Nakata) on May 13, 2026 (Wednesday). The protagonist, Shun, is a 6th-grade elementary student who suffers from symptoms where his body and voice move involuntarily, against his will. It was his friends, who reached out with a desire to understand, who saved the struggling Shun. This moving work depicts the struggles of a child with Tourette's syndrome and the bonds of friendship, conveying the importance of courage to know, understand, and accept others.

What is Tourette's Syndrome?
It is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics, where the body moves or sounds are made involuntarily for more than a year. Billie Eilish has also publicly announced that she has Tourette's syndrome.

May 15th to June 15th every year is "Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month."

Synopsis

Shun, a 6th-grade elementary student, suffers from symptoms where his body and voice move involuntarily, regardless of his will, and he is treated delicately both in class and at home. He struggles with "the me who doesn't listen to me" and feels lonely every day. Shun and Haruto, a childhood friend he was close to in 1st grade, end up in the same group for the school presentation. At first, Haruto thought, "Ugh," but as they spent time together, he encountered Shun's true smile, which he hadn't seen in a long time, and their hearts connected.
Haruto suspects that Shun's symptoms might be "Tourette's syndrome." Meanwhile, Shun also finds videos on his smartphone of people whose voices and bodies move involuntarily like his own, and for the first time, learns about the neurodevelopmental disorder called "Tourette's syndrome." He feels relief that his symptoms had a name, but also despair upon learning that there is no cure. In the midst of this, when Haruto asks, "Shun, do you have Tourette's syndrome?" Shun, agitated, replies, "No, I don't."
Despite their worries and misunderstandings, the boys find true friendship.

This story is a moving work that depicts the struggles of a child with Tourette's syndrome and the bonds of friendship. It conveys the importance of courage to know, understand, and accept others.
Recommended for book reports and ethics classes.
A heartwarming book for upper elementary to junior high school students.

Reader Impressions (from NetGalley)

- "It's a wonderful work that gently yet powerfully teaches the importance of 'knowing,' and I hope it reaches the hearts of many people across generations."
- "While the pain of being driven to loneliness by the misunderstanding of others is deeply conveyed, the warmth of those who approach with a desire to 'know' without prejudice brings a profound sense of relief."
- "Although it doesn't solve things with dramatic magic, I gained a lot of courage from seeing them accept each other's differences and try to walk together, albeit clumsily."
- "I read it all at once, with tears. The growth of each character was conveyed, and I felt I grew myself."
- "This will surely be a shocking book for children."
- "It will surely foster a heart that empathizes with the feelings of others suffering from illnesses and disabilities."
- "I hope that children who read this book will relate it to their friends around them and themselves, and want to know and care for their friends more."

Author Information

Message

"Not knowing" can sometimes be a form of violence.

Just "knowing" can lighten the burden on the hearts of some people, even a little.

If that's the case, I want as many people as possible to know about Tourette's syndrome.

If Tourette's syndrome often develops in elementary school students, then I want children, and the adults who interact with children, to know about it.

That thought was the beginning of my desire to write this story.

Rinako Shibano

Born in Nara Prefecture. Resides in Aichi Prefecture. Debuted in 2007 with 'Uwasa no Mini Miko' (Kodansha Aoi Tori Bunko).

Major works include 'Ochibi ga Uchi ni Yattekita!' and 'Hōkago, Kimi ga Piano wo Hiiteita kara' (Shueisha Mirai Bunko), 'Soup-ya Manimani no Chiisana Kiseki' and 'Omoide to Hikikae ni, Kimi wo' (Shueisha Orange Bunko), among others.

Bibliographic Information

'Boku no Iu Koto wo Kikanai Boku'

Author: Rinako Shibano

Release Month: May 2026

Price: 1,760 yen (10% tax included)

Book Page >> https://www.poplar.co.jp/book/search/result/archive/4056061.html

Amazon >> https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4591189503/