Lydia Wayman
Snoopers & Sneakers (January 2025)
​Middle Grade Fiction

​Lydia Wayman is an autistic advocate with a B.S. in elementary education and an M.A. in English and nonfiction writing. She uses her education and experience to help others better understand how autistic people see the world. Her debut book, Snoopers & Sneakers, does just that through the voice of a 12-year-old autistic cat-lover who has a strong sense of self and is more than a series of stereotypes. 

Lydia’s writing has appeared in a wide range of online and printed publications, including several books. Her own story has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, on Good Morning America, and in We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation by Eric Garcia. Her ongoing advocacy work includes mentoring youth with disabilities, presenting at events and conferences, and developing courses and training programs. Lydia received the Autistic Advocacy Award in 2018 by the Pittsburgh Center for Autistic Advocacy. She lives in Pittsburgh, where she enjoys working as a writer and editor, making handmade gifts, learning more about favorite subjects (space, history, linguistics…), and utterly obsessing over her two cats.

Snoopers & Sneakers

January 21, 2025

Jane is a wiz at facts and numbers, but she’s clueless when it comes to other kids. Her autism and all-consuming love of cats make her a target for bullies. She’s nothing like Ashley. Ashley is bubbly and excitable and has always been best friends with the queen bee of Monroe Elementary. When Ashley refuses to lie to keep her best friend out of serious trouble, she loses her seat at the popular table--and her whole identity along with it.

The one thing Jane and Ashley have in common is the best teacher in the world, Miss DiMicco. When Miss DiMicco is arrested after being accused of stealing at a school fundraiser, and a miserable sub takes her place, the girls form an unlikely alliance to clear their teacher’s name. As they butt heads over cats, makeup, and the rules of sixth grade, the girls fight to get their teacher back and to keep their friendship from falling apart.