Everyone needs books that can act as mirrors, allowing them to see themselves, or windows, allowing them to see the world through someone else’s point of view. Whether these books featuring characters with neurodiversity are mirrors or windows for you, they are sure to deepen your understanding of others.
Picture Books and Younger Elementary
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Ham)
A mother and son enjoy their day together without talking. Instead, they use nonverbal communication tools, such as a tablet. Recommended for ages 3–6.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Bai)
Henry would like to find a friend at school, but for a boy on the autism spectrum, making friends can be difficult. Henry's efforts are sometimes misinterpreted or things just go wrong, but he keeps trying and finds a friend he can play with. Recommended for ages 3–6.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Pee)
A girl tells what it's like living with her twin brother who has autism and sometimes finds it hard to communicate with words, but who in most ways is just like any other boy. Includes an author's note about autism. Recommended for ages 3–6.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Leach)
Seeing the world very differently because of Asperger's syndrome, young Lauren struggles to navigate the challenges of school life and masters tricks to stay calm, understand others' feelings, and let her personality shine. Recommended for ages 6–9.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Rob)
The narrator does not talk, but she still enjoys being included in family activities. She chooses to communicate in other ways, such as pictorial communication. Noises can be overstimulating as well, but she finds ways to participate with the family and have fun. Recommended for ages 3–6.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Mal)
With help from her family and teacher, Holly overcomes her dislike of having sticky hands to participate in a science experiment. Includes an author's note about living with autism and a recipe for making slime. Recommended for ages 6–9.
Older Elementary
(Juvenile Fiction - J Myers)
Axel, a bird-loving boy with autism, lives in a small cottage in the woods with his mother. When a storm strikes, Axel’s world is changed in both good and bad ways, and he must find ways to cope with these big changes. Recommended for ages 9–12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Sass)
Ellen is an autistic, queer, and Jewish 13-year-old who's going on a class trip to Barcelona. She's excited to spend time with her best friend on the trip, but when they're placed in different groups, Ellen must face new challenges and try new things. Recommended for ages 9–12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Adrian)
Told in two voices, Clover, age 12, and her autistic brother Fergus, age 11, discover they are descendants of Wendy Darling and set off with Peter Pan for adventures in Neverland. Recommended for ages 8–12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Kapit)
Vivy learned how to master a knuckleball at an autism event from a professional baseball player. When the local coach sees her throwing to her brother, she's asked to join the team. Holding her own on a boys’ team and dealing with bullying is tough, but Vivy finds supportive friends that uplift and empathize with her. Recommended for ages 9–12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Arango)
Iveliz turns to poetry and journaling to help deal the troubles she has at school and at home, and to help manage living with depression and PTSD. Recommended for ages 9–12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Erskine)
10-year-old Caitlin, who has Asperger's syndrome, struggles to understand emotions, show empathy, and make friends at school. While at home, she seeks closure by working on a project with her father. Recommended for ages 9–12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Pantele)
Autistic and nearly nonverbal, 12-year-old Nova is happy in her new foster home and school, but eagerly anticipates the 1986 Challenger launch, for which her sister, Bridget, promised to return. Recommended for ages 9–12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Balen)
10-year-old Frank's life revolves around his autistic brother, 5-year-old Max, which can be hard to navigate. In this intriguing, intense, and respectful family story, Frank learns to love Max for who he is. Recommended for ages 8–12.
(Juvenile Graphic Novels - J GN Speak Up Burgess)
Middle-schooler Mia may struggle to fit in at school, but unbeknownst to her schoolmates, Mia is a viral pop sensation known as "Elle-Q" online. In fact, some of the school bullies that pick on her for her autism are some of her biggest fans online. Mia is proud of who she is, online and offline, and advocates for herself to push for more acceptance and understanding from her peers. Recommended for ages 9–12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Davis)
Lester's first days as a fifth-grader are not even a little bit like he thought they would be––the cafeteria is too loud, there are too many kids, and there's a bully. Lester was always homeschooled, and now he's shocked to be at a school where everything seems wrong...until he hears about the science fair! This touching peek into the life of a sensitive boy on the autism spectrum testifies that what you can do isn't nearly as important as who you are. Recommended for ages 8–12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Finnega)
Fourth-graders Maisie and Hank, who has autism, become friends as they devise schemes to save a neighbor's dog, Booler, from being tied to a tree because of his epilepsy. Recommended for ages 8–12.