By reading about disabilities through the eyes of those who have experienced them, kids can gain new perspectives and a better understanding of how we are all different.
Preschool
“by Chloe Ito Ward
This book celebrates the many brilliant and beautiful ways kids take in the world. Whether they need to jump, draw or simply observe, all kids deserve to feel proud and confident in themselves.
Elementary
“Flap Your Hands: A Celebration of Stimming”
by Steve Asbell
Four neurodivergent kids, who face stressful moments throughout their day, use body movements called stims to self-regulate their emotions.
“by Irene Latham
This explores the lives of a diverse group of kids who take opportunities to be kind and help others. This includes welcoming a new student, standing up to a bully and comforting a classmate who is upset.
“Everything But Typical: Influential Neurodivergent People Who Have Shaped the World”
by Margeaux Weston
Get to know neurodivergent people making their mark in all kinds of careers: a record-breaking Olympic gymnast, a visionary science fiction writer, a resolute climate activist, an innovative trading card game creator and many others.
“by Erin Hawley
This book explores what disability means and covers different types of disabilities, both visible and invisible.
Middle School
by Kate Foster
Eleven-year-old Oli is spending his spring break at Hero Club, where autistic kids like him can build friendships and learn about their emotions. Oli and his new friends will use their unique talents and perspectives to save a stray dog.
“Fooled”
by Susan Haas
A classroom of middle schoolers with disabilities creates an imaginary “wizarding school” that seemingly becomes real and turns the whole school upside down.
High School
“The Disability Experience: Working Toward Belonging”
by Hannalora Leavitt
This nonfiction book for teens provides a history of disability, describes types of disabilities and examines the challenges faced by people living with disabilities.
by Anna Sortino
When 18-year-old Ellie’s Deaf boarding school shuts down, she attends a public high school where she struggles to adjust but finds an ally in Jackson, a soccer player going through a disability diagnosis of his own.
“By Madeline Dyer
From breaking ancient curses to defying death itself, these 13 horror stories cast disabled characters as heroes we can all root for. With visibly and invisibly disabled characters whose illnesses include Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, PTSD and more, each entry also includes a short essay from the author about the conditions portrayed in their stories to further contextualize their characters’ perspectives.
