Children's Books About the Autism Spectrum (Juvenile Fiction/Juvenile Nonfiction)

These are just a sample of recommended Juvenile fiction and Juvenile nonfiction on the topic of Autism. These books are all available through the Sussex County Library System.

Updated December 13, 2024
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Bat and the end of everything
Arnold, Elana K.
Ebook
The third book in the funny and joyful series Katherine Applegate has called "tender and important," by National Book Award finalist Elana K. Arnold. Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat) has been the caretaker for Thor, the best skunk kit in the world...but the last day of third grade is...
A boy called Bat
Arnold, Elana K
Paper Book
The first book in a funny, heartfelt, and irresistible young middle grade series starring an unforgettable young boy on the autism spectrum. For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life tends to be full of surprises--some of them good, some not so good. Today, though, is a...
Henry, like always /
Bailey, Jenn,
Paper Book
A beginning chapter book series based on the award-winning picture book, A Friend for Henry. Henry likes Classroom Ten. He likes how it is always the same. But this week, Henry's class will have a parade, and a parade means having Share Time on the ...
Anything but typical /
Baskin, Nora Raleigh.
Paper Book
Told from the first-person perspective of an autistic boy, Nora Raleigh Baskin's novel is an enlightening story for anyone who has ever worried about fitting in. Jason Blake is an autistic twelve-year-old living in a neurotypical world. Most days it's just a matter of time before...
Al Capone does my shirts
Choldenko, Gennifer
Paper Book
The Newbery Honor Book and New York Times Bestseller that is historical fiction with a hint of mystery about living at Alcatraz not as a prisoner, but as a kid meeting some of the most famous criminals in our history. Al Capone Does My Shirts has become an instant classic for all...
Superstar /
Davis, Mandy,
Paper Book
Lester's first days as a fifth grader at Quarry Elementary school are not even a little bit like he thought they would be--the cafeteria is too loud for Lester's ears. Before, Lester was always taught at home, and he liked it that way. But that's finished...
Frankie's world
Dooley, Aoife
Paper Book
From acclaimed Autistic Irish comedian Aoife Dooley comes a fresh and funny debut middle-grade graphic novel about fitting in and standing out. Frankie is different from everyone in her class, and she can't figure out why. She has trouble concentrating, and her classmates tease her for not...
Mockingbird /
Erskine, Kathryn.
Paper Book
In Caitlin's world, everything is black or white. Things are good or bad. Anything in between is confusing. That's the stuff Caitlin's older brother, Devon, has always explained. But now Devon's dead and Dad is no help at all. Caitlin wants to get over it, but as an eleven-year-old girl with...
Dear Mothman
Gow, Robin
Ebook
Winner, LGBTQ+ Middle Grade Lammy Award (Lambda Literary Award) Robin Gow's acclaimed middle grade novel in verse about a young trans boy dealing with the loss of his friend by writing to his favorite cryptid, Mothman Moving and...
Slider /
Hautman, Pete,
Paper Book
Competitive eating vies with family expectations in a funny, heartfelt novel for middle-grade readers by National Book Award winner Pete Hautman. David can eat an entire sixteen-inch pepperoni pizza in four minutes and thirty-six seconds. Not bad. But he knows he can do better....
Good different /
Kuyatt, Meg Eden,
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book An extraordinary novel-in-verse for fans of Starfish and A Kind of Spark about a neurodivergent girl who comes to understand and celebrate her difference. Selah knows her rules for being normal. She always, always...
Rules
Lord, Cynthia
Paper Book
This Newbery Honor Book is a heartfelt and witty story about feeling different and finding acceptance -- beyond the rules. Rules joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content! Twelve-year-old Catherine...
Rain reign /
Martin, Ann M.,
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller! Rose Howard is obsessed with homonyms. She's thrilled that her own name is a homonym, and she purposely gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose's rules of homonyms, is very special. Not everyone...
A kind of spark
McNicoll, Elle
Paper Book
"A Kind of Spark tells the story of 11-year-old Addie as she campaigns for a memorial in memory of the witch trials that took place in her Scottish hometown. Addie knows theres more to the story of these witches, just like there is more to hers. Can Addie challenge how the people in her town see her...
The girl who thought in pictures :
Mosca, Julia Finley,
Paper Book
NSTA Best STEM Books for K-12 Selection NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books Selection Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award Recipient A Mighty Girl Book of the Year If you've ever felt different, if you've ever been low, if you don't quite fit in, there's a name...
Planet Earth is blue
Panteleakos, Nicole
Paper Book
"Tender and illuminating. A beautiful debut." --Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Reach Me A heartrending and hopeful story about a nonverbal girl and her passion for space exploration, for fans of See You in the Cosmos, Mockingbird, and The...
All my stripes :
Rudolph, Shaina.
Paper Book
This helpful story for kids with autism spectrum disorders follows a young zebra who learns to understand how he is different from the rest of his classmates."It teaches us to embrace not only who we are, but also to embrace the people around us who are brilliantly different thanks to their own...
Ellen outside the lines /
Sass, A. J.,
Paper Book
Winner of a Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor! A heartfelt novel about a neurodivergent thirteen-year-old navigating changing friendships, a school trip, and expanding horizons for fans of Rain Reign and Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World. ...
Can you see me?
Scott, Libby
Paper Book
  With diary entries written by eleven-year-old Libby Scott, based on her own experiences of autism, this pioneering book, written in collaboration with esteemed author Rebecca Westcott, has been widely praised for its realistic portrayal of autism. Tally is eleven...
Counting by 7s
Sloan, Holly Goldberg
Paper Book
In the tradition of Out of My Mind, Wonder, and Mockingbird, this is an intensely moving middle grade novel about being an outsider, coping with loss, and discovering the true meaning of family. Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and...

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