Neurodiversity at the Library: Kids Books

Meet Summer! She goes to school and likes to draw cartoons. She also has autism. Learn about her family, her favorite lunch, and her dreams for the future. Includes a support page of teaching tips for caregivers and teachers

Meet Zen! He loves to draw and play video games. He also has autism. Zen is real and so are his experiences. Learn about his life in this illustrated narrative nonfiction picture book for elementary students

Meet Annabelle! She loves to draw and play her ukulele. She also has Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Annabelle is real and so are her experiences. Learn about her life in this illustrated narrative nonfiction picture book for elementary students

Meet Scott! He likes coding and playing basketball. He also has dyslexia. Scott is real and so are his experiences. Learn about his life in this illustrated narrative nonfiction picture book for elementary students.

What is life like for an autistic child? This picture book from the Questions and Feelings About ... series tackles that question in a child-friendly way. It includes a helpful section with advice, practical tips, and activites for caregivers and teachers.

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 everywhere.

Hi! My name is Abigail, and I'm autistic. But I didn't know I was autistic until I was (kind of) an adult. This is my true story of growing up in the confusing "normal" world, all the while missing some Very Important Information about myself. There'll be scary moments involving toilets and crowded trains, heartwarming tales of cats and pianos, and funny memories including my dad and a mysterious tub of ice cream. Along the way, you'll also find some Very Crucial Information about autism. Important, funny, and completely unique, this book is for anyone who has ever felt different.

Temple Grandin wasn't officially diagnosed with autism until she was in her 40s, but she knew at an early age that she was different from her family and classmates. She couldn't show affection, she acted out when noises or other stimuli overwhelmed her, and she only felt comfortable when spending time with the animals on her aunt's ranch. But instead of seeing her differences as limitations, Temple used them to guide her education and career in animal science. She has become a leading advocate for the autistic as well as for the humane treatment of animals at meat packing companies.

Describes the life and accomplishments of the animal scientist and designer of cruelty-free livestock facilities, from her early life and autism diagnosis through her journey to become a livestock expert.

When young Greta learned of the climate crisis she stopped talking. She couldn't understand why people in power were not doing anything to save our Earth. One day she started striking from school. Soon, lots more young people joined her in a global movement that shook adults and politicians alike.

Mia explores her life as a kid with Down syndrome

Henry would like to find a friend at school, but for a boy on the autism spectrum, making friends can be difficult, as his efforts are sometimes misinterpreted, or things just go wrong--but Henry keeps trying, and in the end he finds a friend he can play with.

A girl tells what it is 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 authors' note about autism.

Zane is different to other kids. He has his own made-up language. He likes to line things up. And he is frightened of things that don't seem to bother other people - like the colour black. His father gets frustrated and angry with Zane. His mother tries hard to explain things to him. But nothing seems to work. Zane just scrunches himself up into a ball and screams. Things are looking pretty bleak for Zane and his family; that is, until Zane's big sister starts to draw a chalk rainbow at the top of the front steps ...The Chalk Rainbow explores difference and diversity through a family living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It's also a story of unconditional love, of trust and of learning to look at the world through the eyes of others. The story is told by Zane's older sister in a way that young children can easily relate to. The ending is uplifting as all members of the family learn to look at things differently and find a way to move forward together.

With help from her family and teacher, Holly overcomes her dislike of having sticky hands to participate in a science experiment. Includes author's note about living with autism and sensory issues and a recipe for making slime.

The vibration in her feet when she runs, the tap-tap-tap of her fork on the table at mealtime, the trickle of cool water running over her hands -- these are the things that calm her jitters down. This book is for anyone who has ever felt the need for a wiggle, stomp, or squeeze!

Sammy is having a very bad day at school and at home until his autistic brother, Benji, finds a way to make him feel better.

Malik worries that his number thoughts will interfere with his friend's mini-golf birthday party, but with the help of his therapist, family, and friends, Malik is able to manage his feelings and enjoy the day.

Zane rushes home to tell his mother about problems he faced during his school day, and she reminds him that while others may only see his "autism stripe," he has stripes for honesty, caring, and much more.

A young boy with ADHD feels like he is constantly driven by a 'motor.' He is constantly getting in trouble, even when he is not trying to be naughty. But his mom helps him focus on the things he does right each day.

A boy describes his friendship with Matt, whose autism spectrum disorder causes him to behave strangely at times, and how he make things easier for Matt at school and in their neighborhood.

Tomas is a little boy who loves trains, trampolines and his dog Flynn. He hates sudden noise, surprises and changes in routine. There are many things about Tomas that make him special and unique, but despite his differences he loves fun and friendship - just like you. This beautifully illustrated, rhyming book is a perfect introduction to autism for young readers aged 2 and over, including children on the autism spectrum and their friends and siblings. In helping the reader get to know Tomas, the book encourages children to recognise what they have in common with him, not just what makes him different.

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 having a dad at home. To try to make sense of the world, Frankie doodles her daily adventures in a journal. One day, when Frankie sneaks into her mom's room and sees her biological father's name on her birth certificate, she decides to go on a mission to track him down. Could Frankie's father be the key to finding out why Frankie feels so adrift?

Maggie, who struggles with anxiety and OCD, gets through her first year of middle school by making friends, finding the best after-school clubs, and using her twenty-sided dice to help her make decisions.

Stella knows fifth grade will be the best year ever. Her closest friends, Emiko and Latasha, are in her class and they all got the teacher they wanted. Then their favorite television show, Witchlins, announces a new guidebook and an online game! But when the classwork starts piling up, Stella struggles to stay on top. Why does it take her so long to read? And how can she keep up with friends in the Witchlins game if she can’t get through the text-heavy guidebook? And when she can’t deal with the text-heavy Witchlins guidebook, she can’t keep up with her friends in the game. It takes loving teachers and her family to recognize that Stella has a learning difference, and after a dyslexia diagnosis she gets the support and tools she needs to succeed.

Verity 'Very' Nelson can do it all. She's student body president, debate club whiz, and first chair clarinetist. . . You could say she's pretty much the best at everything...Well, almost everything. Everything except math. And it's not like she doesn't try. Math just doesn't make sense in her brain. But it better start soon, or else she can kiss her presidency--and her campaign promises--goodbye. Soon she finds herself enrolled in a remedial math class, where, despite her best efforts, failure persists. All seems lost until a teacher helps her discover the truth: Verity has dyscalculia, a learning disability that causes her to mix up numbers. Armed with a new perspective, can Verity pass math, keep her presidentcy, and make good on her word to the student body she loves so much? Or will her presidency--and perfect reputation--all come crashing down?

Eleven-year-old Katie navigates life as a homeschooler, forms a better understanding of the OCD she experiences, and learns that growing apart from friends is sometimes part of growing up.

Isaac is a shy boy with OCD, but one day at school he meets new friends who introduce him to role-playing games, which lead him on a journey of self-discovery and growth

Told in two voices, Clover, twelve, and her autistic brother Fergus, eleven, discover they are descended from Wendy Darling and set off with Peter Pan for adventures in Neverland.

When his veterinarian mom brings home a stray baby skunk that needs rehabilitation before it can be placed in a wild animal shelter, Bat, who has austim, resolves to prove that he is up to the challenge of caring for the skunk permanently.

Sixth-grader Emilia Torres struggles with ADHD, her controlling abuela, her mother's work commitments, her father's distance after returning from deployment, evolving friendships, and a conflict over school redistricting.

Louisa, a fifth grader who has ADHD and dyslexia, wishes her overly tough teacher would disappear--then fears she has unleashed a curse when Mrs. Snyder becomes ill. Lou throws herself into the play she is writing and directing for her friends, but conflict follows when she becomes too pushy. At home, Lou alternates between jealousy and excitement as she prepares to become a big sister at last.

Eleven-year-old Max struggles with his ADHD and making mistakes, so when a mistake leaves one friend in a coma and another shutting him out, Max resolves to find out what really happened that night.

Eleven-year-old Oli is spending his spring break at Heroes Club, where autistic kids like him can build friendships and learn about their emotions. Sounds fun, right? No. Nothing like a week of forced socialization and emotional learning to ruin summer break. Oli just wants to be home, where it's familiar, not so boring, and he can play games on his phone. But when Oli and the other kids at the club see a stray dog who keeps disappearing into a soon-to-be-demolished building across the street, they hatch a daring rescue plan to save the dog before it's too late. It's going to take bravery, some seriously smart teamwork, and a few broken rules to make it happen. For Oli and his new friends in the Heroes Club, making use of their unique talents and perspectives-together-will be a challenge. But doing the right thing is entirely worth it. The Unlikely Heroes Club is a celebration of friendship and community that is sure to make your heart sing.

Twelve-year-old Clea wants to do her homework, follow instructions, pay attention in school, and play chess on the school team, but somehow she cannot focus on whatever is in front of her, and the other kids at school are starting to notice and make fun of her; when her worried parents take her to be tested she finds out that she has ADHD (only without the hyperactivity)--and with help from the psychiatrist who seems to really understand her she is determined to learn how to focus.

Twelve-year-old Mizzy dreams of being a detective and she won't let anything stand in her way -- not her reputation for tall tales, or her embarrassing fear of escalators, and definitely not her Down syndrome. Dumped for the summer with cousins who've outgrown her, Mizzy feels even more sidelined than usual. But when she discovers Great Aunt Jane's diaries in a locked wardrobe in their spare room, and realizes her aunt didn't die in her sleep but under suspicious circumstances, everything changes. What's more . . . someone in the family appears to have been involved. Under the guise of a family tree project for school, and armed with a brand-new set of Pipsqueak markers, Mizzy grabs the chance to prove herself to her cousins — and the world.

Eleven-year-old knuckleball pitcher Vivy Cohen, who has autism, becomes pen pals with her favorite Major League baseball player after writing a letter to him as an assignment for her social skills class.

Daniel Leigh is the backup punter for the Erie Hills Elephants. Which really means he's the water boy. He spends football practice perfectly arranging the water cups and imagining what would happen if monsters attacked the field. Actually he spends most of his time hoping no one notices his strange habits - he calls them Zaps: avoiding writing the number 6, for example, or flipping a light switch on and off dozens of times over. Daniel's life takes a bizarre turn when he gets a note: "I need your help," it says, signed Fellow Star Child - whatever that means. Suddenly Daniel, a total no one at school, is swept up in a mystery that might change everything for him.

Seventh-grader Selah Godfrey knows that to be "normal" she has to keep her feelings tightly controlled when people are around, but after hitting a fellow student, she needs to figure out just what makes her different--and why that is ok. Told in verse.

Chester has always wanted to become a service dog, but when he fails his certification test it seems like that dream will never come true, that is until a family adopts him to be a companion for their ten-year-old son, Gus, who has autism.

When she discovers that her small Scottish town used to burn witches simply because they were different, a neurodivergent girl who sees and hears things others cannot refuses to let them be forgotten.

A neurodivergent twelve-year-old girl is shown an amazing new technology that gives her another chance to talk to the best friend she lost. But she soon discovers the corporation behind the science hides dark secrets that only she can expose.

Seventh-grader Frankie, who has various sensory disorders, is determined to find her missing best friend, Colette, before it is too late.

Charlie, twelve, who has autism and obsessive compulsive disorder, must endure a cross-country trip with his siblings and a strange babysitter to visit their father, who will undergo brain surgery.

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school...again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must comes to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves. - Librarian's note: Percy is shown to have ADHD

Eleven-year-old Tally is starting sixth grade at Kingswood Academy and she really wants to fit in, which means somehow hiding her autism, hypersensitivity to touch, and true self, and trying to act "normal" like her former best friend, Layla, who is distancing herself from Tally and her fourteen-year-old sister, Nell, who is always angry with Tally for being different; but as she records her thoughts and anxieties in her coping diary, Tally begins to wonder--what is "normal" anyway?

Twelve-year-old Ellie, who has cerebral palsy, finds her life transformed when she moves with her mother to small-town Oklahoma to help care for her grandfather, who has Alzheimer's Disease.

A straight-talking but uplifting story about a boy living with ADHD and the sparks that fly when he moves in with his perfectionist step-sister.

Knox works to keep his family together as they move from Hong Kong back to northern California during the initial outbreak of the coronavirus. - Librarian's note: Knox is diagnosed with ADHD

Twelve-year-old Suzy Swanson wades through her intense grief over the loss of her best friend by investigating the rare jellyfish she is convinced was responsible for her friend's death. - Librarian's Note: This book includes an important character who has ADHD

A chronically frustrated eleven-year-old girl named Gwendolyn Rogers comes to realize she has an undiagnosed mental health issue and tries every way possible to get control of her emotions.

When her best friend's cancer returns in the summer of 1987, none of her usual pursuits--surfing, singing, or reading poetry--can keep thirteen-year-old Ava afloat. - Librarian's Note: Ava has OCD.

Maudie always looks forward to the summers she spends in California with her dad. But this year, she must keep a troubling secret about her home life—one that her mom warned her never to tell. Maudie wants to confide in her dad about her stepdad's anger, but she’s scared. When a wildfire strikes, Maudie and her dad are forced to evacuate to the beach town where he grew up. It’s another turbulent wave of change. But now, every morning, from their camper, Maudie can see surfers bobbing in the water. She desperately wants to learn, but could she ever be brave enough? As Maudie navigates unfamiliar waters, she makes friends—and her autism no longer feels like the big deal her mom makes it out to be. But her secret is still threatening to sink her. Will Maudie find the strength to reveal the awful truth—and maybe even find some way to stay with Dad—before summer is over?

Emotionally crippled by his obsessive-compulsive disorder, teenager Matthew Corbin rarely leaves his room on a cul-de-sac in London, and he passes the day observing and writing down his neighbors doings from his window--but when a toddler staying next door disappears Matt is the key to solving a mystery and possibly saving a child's life...if he can manage to expose himself, and his secret guilt to the outside world.