Disability Pride for Kids

July is Disability Pride Month! Join us in celebrating with these new and recommended Fiction and Nonfiction titles for early and middle grade readers.

Updated June 25, 2026
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Ableism : deal with it and appreciate everyone's abilities
Maich, Kimberly
Paper Book
This reader-directed exploration of ableism is both informative and empowering. Self-assessment quizzes, real life scenarios, myths, and Q&As all contribute to understanding ableism and ableist behavior, and readers will learn to identify, address, and provide helpful, effective solutions....
I absolutely, positively love my spots
Moore, Lid'ya C.
Paper Book
"Highly recommended." --School Library Journal A 55th NAACP Image Award Nominee for Best Children's Literature A young girl with vitiligo celebrates her skin in this joyful picture book by debut author Lid'ya C. Rivera and illustrated by #1 New York Times bestselling...
All the way to the top : how one girl's fight for Americans with disabilities changed everything
Pimentel, Annette Bay
Paper Book
2021 Schneider Family Book Award Young Children's Honor Book (American Library Association) Experience the true story of lifelong activist Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins and her participation in the Capitol Crawl in this inspiring autobiographical picture book. This beautifully illustrated...
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...
Amy Looks Before She Leaps
Barkley, Callie
Paper Book
In the twenty-ninth book of the Critter Club series, Amy meets a blind stray cat! When Amy finds a stray cat who's blind, she throws all her time and effort into caring for her. She even wants to skip sleepovers with the Critter Club! But eventually, Amy discovers that the cat...
Aniana del Mar jumps in
Maendez, Jasminne
Paper Book
Pura Belpré Author Honor Award ** Four starred reviews!** A powerful and expertly told novel in verse, by an award-winning poet, about a twelve-year-old Dominican American swimmer who is diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis. Aniana del Mar belongs in the...
Bat and the business of ferrets
Arnold, Elana K.
Paper Book
The bestselling Bat returns! Bat and the Business of Ferrets is the fourth title in National Book Award finalist Elana K. Arnold's heartfelt and widely acclaimed series featuring an unforgettable young boy on the autism spectrum. Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed "Bat") is...
Bo and the merbaby
Elliott, Rebecca
Paper Book
Bo helps a mermaid in this magical early chapter book from the USA Today bestselling author of Owl Diaries! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text,...
Brave like that
Stoddard, Lindsey
Paper Book
Find yourself. Find your place. Find your brave. This uplifting coming of age story, which award-winning author Leslie Connor dubbed "a perfectly paced journey of the heart" is perfect for fans of Lisa Graff and Lynda Mullaly Hunt.  Cyrus Olson's dad is a hero-...
Cesaria feels the beat
Adusei, Denise R.
Paper Book
In this powerful and inspiring picture book, a deaf girl stands up for herself and takes off her shoes while dancing at her Carnival performance so she can feel the music through her bare feet. Cesaria is going to perform for the seaside Carnival. She skips past the beach...
The chance to fly
Stroker, Ali
Paper Book
A heartfelt middle-grade novel about a theater-loving girl who uses a wheelchair for mobility and her quest to defy expectations-and gravity-from Tony award-winning actress Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz Thirteen-year-old Nat Beacon loves a lot of things: her dog Warbucks,...
Dancing with daddy
Schulte, Anitra Rowe
Paper Book
Winner of the Christopher Award Elsie can't wait to go to her first father-daughter dance. She picked out the perfect dress and has been practicing swirling and swaying in her wheelchair. Elsie's heart pirouettes as she prepares for her special night. With gestures, smiles, and...
Different kinds of minds : a guide to your brain
Grandin, Temple
Paper Book
Albert Einstein. Steve Jobs. Elon Musk. Katharine Johnson. These geniuses are all visual thinkers. Are you? Do you like puzzles, coding, and taking things apart? Do you write stories, act in plays, slay at Wordle? The things you are good at are clues to how your brain works. Are...
Each tiny spark
Cartaya, Pablo
Paper Book
From award-winning author Pablo Cartaya comes a deeply moving middle grade novel about a daughter and father finding their way back to each other in the face of their changing family and community. A SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD HONOR FOR MIDDLE GRADE Emilia...
El deafo
Bell, Cece
Paper Book
New York Times Bestseller A 2015 Newbery Honor Book Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator...
Fighting for yes! : the story of disability rights activist Judith Heumann
Cocca-Leffler, Maryann
Paper Book
A picture book biography celebrating the life and work of disability rights activist and icon Judith Heumann, highlighting one of her landmark achievements--leading the historic 504 Sit-in in 1977From a very young age, Judy Heumann heard the word NO. When she wanted to attend public school, the...
Figure it out, Henri Weldon
Davis, Tanita S.
Paper Book
Tanita S. Davis, author of Partly Cloudy and Serena Says, has written another funny, warm story featuring middle school and family life--all about the complex calculations it takes for everyone to balance the equations of their lives and what it takes to be part of a team while handling a...
The fire, the water, and Maudie McGinn
Pla, Sally J.
Paper Book
Neurodivergent Maudie is ready to spend an amazing summer with her dad, but will she find the courage to tell him a terrible secret about life with her mom and new stepdad? This contemporary novel is a must-read for fans of Leslie Connor and Ali Standish. A Schneider Family Book Award winner! ...
A Fish Like Me
Sumner, Jamie
"A gorgeous celebration of swimming, disability, and imagination." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) In the spirit of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners and I Talk Like a River, this lyrical picture book from acclaimed author Jamie Sumner...
The girl who figured it out : the inspiring true story of wheelchair athlete Minda Dentler becoming an Ironman World champion
Dentler, Minda
Paper Book
Winner of the 2025 Texas Bluebonnet Award! The uplifting true story of Minda Dentler, the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the Ironman World Championship triathlon. Minda Dentler made history when she became the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the world's...
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...
Hazel's Best Day: A Story of Community, Accessibility, and Pride in Being Yourself
Nelson, Adiba
From the author of Oshún and Me and the artist of Homegrown comes a joyful picture book that celebrates community and individuality, inspired by real people with disabilities everywhere. Today is the best day of the year: PARADE DAY! It's the day that Hazel's...
I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea
Milusich, Janice
Paper Book
In this lyrical picture book illustrated by a two-time Caldecott Medalist, share in a blind child's joyful experience of the changing seasons. A SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD HONOR Where I live, seasons change. I know because my fingers and toes, my ears, my...
Henry, like always
Bailey, Jenn
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Winner  A Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book  A NPR 2023 Books We Love Pick A School Library Journal Best Book of 2023  A 2023 Chicago Public Library Best of the...
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. ...
Hummingbird
Lloyd, Natalie
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book From the bestselling author of A Snicker of Magic comes a heartfelt story about a girl who -- armed with her trusty, snazzy wheelchair -- refuses to let her brittle bone disease stand in the way of adventure Twelve...
It was supposed to be sunny
Cotterill, Samantha
Paper Book
A perfectly planned birthday party goes awry in this gentle story about adapting to the unexpected, written for kids on the autism spectrum and called "brilliant" and "engaging" by autism specialist Tony Attwood Laila feels like her sparkly sunshine birthday celebration is on the...
Just ask! : be different, be brave, be you
Sotomayor, Sonia
Paper Book
Justice Sonia Sotomayor and award-winning artist Rafael Lopez create a kind and caring book about the differences that make each of us unique. A #1 New York Times bestseller! Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award! Feeling different,...
A life of service : the story of Senator Tammy Duckworth
Soontornvat, Christina
Paper Book
Thai American creators portray the inspirational and barrier-breaking life of Senator Tammy Duckworth in a picture-book tribute to an extraordinary woman. Senator Tammy Duckworth has logged a long list of "firsts" during her tenure as the first Thai American woman elected to...
The lost language of everything
Harrington, C. C.
Paper Book
When the fates of a snow leopard, a child, and an ancient forest collide, the unimaginable can happen. Perfect for fans of Pax and The One and Only Ivan. A great gift for nature and animal lovers. **Winner of the 2023 Schneider Family Book Award!** *...
Mama Moon: A Story about Love and Mental Health
Grigni, Noah
Paper Book
Deeply felt and beautifully told, Mama Moon is the story of a child who muses that their mother is like the moon--ever changing, sometimes blue, sometimes bright. Mama loves warm summers, and eating cherries while stargazing with Baba and...
Mighty Mara
Ho, Carina
Monster Hands
Kane, Karen
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Two best friends use rhyming ASL to help vanquish their fear of the monster under the bed in this fun, interactive bedtime readaloud. When nighttime comes, Milo has a problem--he's convinced there's a monster under his bed! Luckily...
My ocean is blue
Lebeuf, Darren
Paper Book
'This is my ocean,' the young girl begins as she heads over the dunes with her mother. Then, as they pass the whole day at the seaside, she lyrically describes her ocean in simple, sensory detail. Nothing the girl experiences escapes her careful observation and appreciation. And at day's end, she...
Out of my dreams
Draper, Sharon M.
Paper Book
Melody flies to London to speak at a convention about differently abled kids in this "warm and beautifully told" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) sequel to the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling middle grade novels Out of My Mind and Out of My Heart.
Please pay attention
Sumner, Jamie
Paper Book
Three starred reviews! A girl with cerebral palsy navigates loss, grief, and the aftermath of trauma following a school shooting in a world that wasn't built for her in this "intimate, lyrical" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) novel in verse from Jamie Sumner, the...
Red Bird danced
Quigley, Dawn
Paper Book
An American Indian Youth Literature Award Honoree With lyrical verse and powerful emotion, Dawn Quigley (Ojibwe) tells the story of urban Native kids who find strength in connection with those who came before and in the hope that lets them take flight. Ariel and Tomah have lived in...
Roll with it
Sumner, Jamie
Paper Book
A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of 2019 "A big-hearted story that's as sweet as it is awesome." --R.J. Palacio, author of Wonder In the tradition of Wonder and Out of My Mind, this big-hearted middle grade debut tells the...
Show me a sign
LeZotte, Ann Clare
Paper Book
Don't miss the companion book, Set Me Free CRITICS ARE RAVING ABOUT SHOW ME A SIGN Winner of the 2021 Schneider Family Book Award * NPR Best Books of 2020 * Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2020 * School Library Journal Best Books of 2020 *...
Simon sort of says
Bow, Erin
Paper Book
NEWBERY HONOR AWARD * LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD * SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD HONOR * FINALIST FOR THE AUDIE AWARD FOR BEST MIDDLE GRADE AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR "Funny, poignant and--most important--hopeful." --New York Times Simon O'Keeffe's...
A sky-blue bench
Rahman, Bahram
Paper Book
It's Afghan schoolgirl Aria's first day back at school since her accident. She's excited, but she's also worried about sitting on the hard floor all day with her new prosthetic "helper-leg." Just as Aria feared, sitting on the floor is so uncomfortable that she can't think about learning...
The Special Pumpkin
Aiello, Elena
Emma loves Halloween! She has the perfect costume that works well with her cochlear implant. But she doesn't have a pumpkin to carve. Emma searches for the perfect pumpkin, but she soon discovers that perfect isn't important in this early chapter book.
The Speedy Sled
Aiello, Elena
After an epic snowfall, Emma is ready to try sledding. But it's a lot scarier than she thought it would be! Emma wears a cochlear implant because she's Deaf, and she's worried it might fall off. Emma must face her fears to discover new fun in this early chapter book.
This beach is loud!
Cotterill, Samantha
Paper Book
Patience, understanding, and a soothing exercise saves the beach day when excitement turns to sensory overload. Going to the beach is exciting. But it can also be busy. And loud. Sand can feel hot or itchy or sticky...and it gets everywhere! In This Beach Is Loud...
This Is How We Play : A Celebration of Disability & Adaptation
Slice, Jessica/ Cupp, Caroline/ Harren, Kayla (ILT)
Paper Book
A jubilant, inclusive, luminously illustrated picture book that features families at play, each with a family member who has a disability. With love and adaptation, this is how we play! This joyful read-aloud with an empowering refrain, from disability rights activists...
To dogs, with love : a love letter to the dogs who help us
Gianferrari, Maria
Paper Book
A book for anyone who has ever loved a dog. Dear Dogs, Thank you for being there when we are sick, or hurt, or in trouble. Thank you for licks and hugs when we feel down, or just need to smile. Thank you for all that you do, for always being at our...
What is American Sign Language?
Herman, Gail
Learn about the history of American Sign Language, from its origins in older signed languages to its role in the education of deaf and hearing children today in this illustrated chapter book! American Sign Language (ASL) has played a crucial role in history of the United States,...
When stars are scattered
Jamieson, Victoria
Paper Book
A National Book Award Finalist, this remarkable graphic novel is about growing up in a refugee camp, as told by a former Somali refugee to the Newbery Honor-winning creator of Roller Girl. Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab,...
The Windeby puzzle : history and story
Lowry, Lois
Paper Book
Newbery Medalist and New York Times bestselling author Lois Lowry transports readers to an Iron Age world through the suspenseful dual narrative of a boy and girl both battling to survive. In an utterly one-of-a-kind blend of fiction and history, a master storyteller explores the mystery and life...
You're so amazing!
Catchpole, James
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor book! ​In this authentic and humorous picture book, a child with a limb difference is tired of being told how amazing he is for doing normal things. Joe and his friend Simone are practicing their best playground...

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