Neurodiversity Booklist

Recommended reads for children and teens

Updated May 8, 2024
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Thunder and the noise storms
Ansloos, Jeffrey Paul
Paper Book
Kids laughing, sneakers squeaking, balls bouncing--for Thunder, the sounds of the school day often brew into overwhelming noise storms. But when Thunder's mosom asks him what he hears on an urban nature walk, Thunder starts to understand how sounds like bird wings flapping and rushing water can...
Also available as an eBook.
Aaron Slater, illustrator
Beaty, Andrea
Paper Book
Aaron Slater loves listening to stories and dreams of one day writing them himself. But when it comes to reading, the letters just look like squiggles to him, and it soon becomes clear he struggles more than his peers. When his teacher asks each child in the class to write a story, Aaron can't...
The dancing letters
Fournier, Evelyne
Paper Book
An endearing family story about love and dyslexia Olivia is a little girl full of life and imagination. But when her grandmother asks her to write a story for her birthday, Olivia feels a little unsure. Because when it comes to writing, things never go as she intended. Words thumb their...
Canadian author.
A day with no words
Hammond, Tiffany
Paper Book
The #1 New York Times bestselling picture book by Tiffany Hammond, the creator of the popular Fidgets and Fries platform, invites readers into the life of an Autistic family who communicate without spoken language. Aidan doesn't talk with words. He uses a tablet,...
I am a masterpiece! : an empowering story about inclusivity and growing up with Down Syndrome
Armstrong, Mia
Paper Book
Tween actress Mia Armstrong celebrates her fun, funny, beautiful childhood living with Down syndrome in this debut picture book. Don't miss Mia in A Christmas in New Hope, streaming now! Mia likes many of the things other people like--going to the beach, the...
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...
Also available as an eBook.
The u-nique Lou Fox
Carmichael, Jodi
Paper Book
Award-winning author Jodi Carmichael, who has ADHD herself, affirms and celebrates those who struggle with their uniqueness and triumphantly discover its gifts It isn't easy being Louisa Elizabeth Fitzhenry-O'Shaughnessy--especially with dyslexia. She prefers Lou Fox, the dream name she'll...

Also available as an eBook.

Canadian author.

Lost inside my head
Vigg
Paper Book
Key Selling Points An imaginative take on what it's like to have attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD)--like having a huge house in your head with all sorts of different rooms that change their location or distract you with their flashing lights--and the isolation it can...
Honestly Elliott
McDunn, Gillian
Paper Book
Schneider Family Book Award: Best Middle Grade Honor Book! Highly-acclaimed author of Caterpillar Summer, Gillian McDunn explores boyhood in a funny, big-hearted story about a kid trying to find the best way to be his best self. ...
Growing pangs
Ormsbee, Kathryn
Paper Book
AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR . A PARENTS MAGAZINE BEST BOOK Inspired by a true story! Eleven-year old homeschooled Katie has always felt different . . . and now she can't stop worrying. Introducing an irresistibly relatable graphic novel about friendship, anxiety...
Also available as an eBook.
Buzzing
Sattin, Samuel
Paper Book
ALA 2025 Rainbow Book List Pick * 2024 Eisner-Nominated for Best Publication for Kids * A 2024 ALA Notable Children's Book * New York Public Library Best Book of 2023  ★ "Heartwarming [and] authentic" --Shelf Awareness,...
Also available as an eBook.
At the Speed of Gus
Scrimger, Richard
Paper Book
A smartly funny and sympathetic story about being different and understanding that there is more than one way to see the world. This new novel from middle grade master Richard Scrimger will reach so many kids who need to see that their brains are a gift. Augustus (Gus) Constantine's brain...

Also available as an eBook.

Canadian author.

Just roll with it
Durfey-Lavoie, Lee
Paper Book
Starting middle school is hard enough when you don't know anyone; it's even harder when you're shy. A contemporary middle-grade graphic novel for fans of Guts and Real Friends about how dealing with anxiety and OCD can affect everyday life. As long as Maggie rolls...
Rebel Girls celebrate neurodiversity : 25 tales of creative thinkers
Mallory, Shadae
Paper Book
TRUE STORIES OF NEURODIVERGENT ICONS This collection features 25 inspiring tales of neurodivergent artists, athletes, innovators, and more. Read about how these women and girls thought creatively, achieved their dreams, and advocated for the rights of neurodivergent people...
Wonderfully wired brains
Gooding, Louise
Paper Book
An informative and inclusive children's guide to neurodiversity for those not in the know and to inspire children who are neurodivergent. Wonderfully Wired Brains teaches children aged 7-9 all about the awesome abilities that neurodiverse individuals have, introduces them...

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